My Gurus...My Life

a Silent Thank You.. In June July of 1976, I was taken to see Sri Karaikudi Mani by Sri Vasudeva Rao, the tabla accompanists for Sri Pithukuli Murugadas. The reason this happened is that I, a 26yr old South African with no music experience or training was hoping to study Carnatic Music at Tamilnadu Govt. Music College, Greenways Rd, Adyar. Chennai. I wanted to study at TGMC because Sri KV Narayanaswamy, was a lecturer there and I wanted to study under him. Vasudeva Rao knew Karaikudi Mani personally as Karaikudi Mani had accompanied P Murugadas as a teen. As I had no musical knowledge at all and as Vasudeva Rao felt that I would need some recommendation from someone with influence to get me into TGMC. Sri Karaikudi Mani knew Sri Sandhyavandanam Srinivasan Rao, the then principal of TGMC. What was discussed between them I will never know, but I did get the seat! At the interview which every applicant had to attend, we had to sing a Varnam and a krithi. Can I just say that what I sang was dreadful and, the principal realising what a novice I was and my discomfort and apprehension, asked me if I could do the 3yr rather than the 2yr course. I said I could do the 3yr course and it was his way of letting me know that I would be accepted, which I was! I am deeply grateful for what Sri Karaikudi Mani did for me especially as he did not know me at all and had no reason to oblige. On holiday to S Africa in 1977, I remember bringing him a Casio or Timex watch which he was very reluctant to receive as he felt he had only done his duty! I was to receive this magnanimity and amazing grace from so many senior musicians in Chennai and especially my dear guru Dr Balamuralikrishna, Sri K V Narayanaswamy and that amazing musician and human being, Sri N Ravikiran who spent many an hour explaining intricate elements of Carnatic music. Last but not least, I am also eternally grateful to Flute Shashank’s father, Sri Subramaniam who spent many many months helping me to achieve some kind of reasonable standard in this amazing art form of Carnatic Music. So I say a silent prayer for Sri Karaikudi Mani and bow my head in reverence and gratitude to this great percussionist. Om Shanthi