Strings that speak

Her website states that her technique of playing the violin takes the instrument very close to vocal music,hence the nickname. “I feel there are two reasons for this. First of all,I feel that it was under Panditji that my violin began to ‘sing’,as he taught me to ‘see’ the notes and not just hear it. Secondly,I play music in its totality and do not just emphasise on the vocal style as everyone tends to do.”

As a part of the Ritu Basant festival,Ramnath performed along with vocalist Rahul Deshpande at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha,Kothrud,on April 13. Ramnath admits that performing in front of Puneri audiences is very close to her heart. “They are the best. Like my guruji would say Poona ne sun liya to duniya ne maan liya!” Ramnath has previously worked on the music score of the film Blood Diamond.

Ramnath is currently involved in three projects – Global Conversations ,Raga Afrika and Yashila Drive East . “ Global Conversations is a raga influenced Jazz and Jazz influenced raga,album. It has one of the best artiste line-ups,with the likes of George Brooks,Kai Eckhart,Frank Martin and Steve Smith performing on the composition. On the other hand,my album Raga Afrika is my collaboration with Afro Jazz ,which is a first for both Indian music and Afro Jazz. Yashila Drive East employs indigenous instruments to create world music.”

As far as her tryst with Hollywood is concerned,she is currently on a hiatus from the industry. “I am not involved in any Hollywood projects as of now. But I am working with the London Symphony Orchestra. We will be performing together in London on July 7 this year,” Ramnath says.