Teacher146;s Pets

PANDIT Ravi Shankar8217;s daughter, Anoushka, is no doubt a gifted artiste. But her debut at 13 and the ensuing accolades were also aided b...

PANDIT Ravi Shankar8217;s daughter, Anoushka, is no doubt a gifted artiste. But her debut at 13 and the ensuing accolades were also aided by a liberal dose of the right genes and good publicity. The same happened years ago with sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan8217;s sons Amaan and Ayaan. They were stars even before they performed. Aggressive publicity and famous parents ensured that they were heard8212;and seen.

But there also exist other gifted people who play on, away from the flashbulbs and without the benevolent shadow of a famous parent. These artistes have nothing but their remarkable talent and perseverance to recommend them. And where else would we seek to know more about them, if not from their teachers themselves? We asked senior musicians to name a few of their most promising and prominent disciples.

Singing Violin
Kala Ramnath: Violinist, one of Pandit Jasraj8217;s senior disciples

They call her violin the singing one. Ramnath began learning music from her grandfather Vidwan Shri Narayan Iyer. Her second teacher was her aunt and noted violinist N Rajam, who brought her to Pandit Jasraj in 1989. 8220;The challenge was to stand out as a musician. I decided to play vocal music which is why I came to Pandit Jasraj,8217;8217; says Mumbai-based Ramnath.

Staying with Pandit Jasraj for the next three years at his home proved to be an invaluable experience. 8220;People hear the notes but thanks to his training, I can now see them.8217;8217; She has performed at the Gunidas Sammelan, Baba Tansen Samaroh and Sawai Gandharva festival. At present, Ramnath is principal of the Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation in the US.

Guru8217;s Verdict: Her violin sings. Her music makes me feel relaxed and satisfied.

The Magic Flute
Rupak Kulkarni: Flautist, disciple of Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia

Kulkarni originally started out with the tabla under father Pandit Malhar Kulkarni. But a Chaurasia concert left him hooked to the flute. Finally, he became Chaurasia8217;s gandaband pupil at the age of nine. He has performed at festivals both in India and abroad. Breath control, tatkar and layakari are said to be his strong points.

Guru8217;s Verdict: He is one of my best students. I am happy he is concentrating only on music.

Legacy Keeper
Sunanda Sharma: Vocalist, disciple of Girija Devi

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Girija Devi is at peace these days. With disciples like Sunanda Sharma, she8217;s sure her legacy will not die. For Sharma, it8217;s the best compliment a disciple can get.

Sharma, who has been with her teacher since she was nine, is currently a panel artiste on the Information and Broadcasting ministry8217;s Songs and Drama Division. She8217;s also screened participants for Zee TV8217;s musical show, Saregama. 8220;Sunanda is good, but it would be unfair if you don8217;t mention equally talented disciples like Rupan Sarkar and Piu Mukherjee,8217;8217; adds Girija Devi.

Guru8217;s Verdict: My legacy will be taken forward through the beautiful thumris, chaitis and kajris sung by Sharma. She has amazing control over her taans.

Upbeat Company
Vijay Ghate: Tabla player, disciple of Pandit Suresh Talwalkar

Life is hectic these days for Vijay Ghate, who participates in around 20 concerts a month with senior vocalists, dancers and instrumentalists, both in India and abroad. Winner of the National Talent Research Scholarship in 1979, Ghate shifted to Mumbai to learn tabla from Suresh Talwalkar. Talwalkar8217;s able tutelage, and later, Ghate8217;s teaming up with sitarist Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan launched him into the public eye. Ghate, who accompanied Pandit Jasraj to Pakistan last year, also has some experimental works with Sivamani, Taufiq Qureshi, Ranjit Barot and Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia to his name.

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Guru8217;s Verdict: While he has evolved his own style, it all draws from our tradition. His brain and hands work together.

Voice of Tradition
Shashank Maktedar: vocalist and disciple of Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar

A lecturer at the Goa College of Music, Maktedar8217;s voice is gradually being heard in the world of music. Part of the Sangeet Research Academy8217;s SRA tour to the US and UAE in 1996, Maktedar8217;s first concert happened a year earlier at the ITC Sangeet Sammelan in Kolkata.

Maktedar, who has performed at important gatherings such as the Sawai Gandharva festival last December, and the Vishnu Digambar Jayanti, credits his rising fame to guru Ulhas Kashalkar, who taught him for 12 years at the ITC SRA Academy in Kolkata.

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Guru8217;s Verdict: He scores in presentation. And whatever he sings has a traditional touch.