Fit as a Fiddle

Grammy-nominated Kala Ramnath on making the violin resemble human voice

Those acquainted with the glides and slides on Kala Ramnaths violin,have always searched,in her music,for the richness and complexity of her aunt and renowned violinist N Rajams style. As unfair as that may be,every time Ramnaths concert has given the same,if not more,pleasure to the audiences through a congruous use of the gayaki ang (vocal style of playing an instrument),a technique Ramnaths family introduced to the violin.

Its a technique that was taught to me by my grandfather,Vidwan A Narayan Iyer. We know of gayaki ang in other plucked string instruments such as the sitar and the sarod. But the tonality of the violin comes closest to that of the human voice because it is a bow instrument, says the Grammy-nominated Ramnath,who will perform on the last day of the Sa Ma Pa Sangeet Sammelan at Kamani auditorium on Sunday. She also made news recently after the London Symphony Orchestra created a symphony in her honour.

Ramnaths training has been in Hindustani music,a style that Rajam has made famous on the violin. There were many Carnatic violin players in the family. My grandfather decided that I should learn Hindustani, says the violinist,who is in her forties.

When there is a dynasty of astute musicians behind an artiste,the pressure of giving a great concert can be immense. Yet,Ramnath says,Somehow,I have never had any pressure because I loved the violin. Even as a child,I never rebelled,because I was happy playing music.

Ramnath has collaborated with

international artistes such as rock legend Ray Manzarek of the Doors,American multi-instrumentalist and composer Edgar Meyer and Grammy-winning banjo player Bela Fleck. She has played with American saxophonist George Brooks around the world.

The duo will also perform in Delhi in December.

A resident of Mumbai,Ramnath came under the spotlight in North India when she began to accompany vocalist Pt Jasraj around a decade ago. Some critics even said she was better than the maestro. But,Ramnath says,Pt Jasraj is a legend because of his sheer talent. If he were repetitive as the critics say,then I was only replicating what he was singing. How were they listening to me? It is significant that she is also called one of the torchbearers of Jasraj’s Mewati gharana.

Kala Ramnath will perform at

Kamani auditorium on Sunday.

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