7200 hrs of Practice!

Easwaran, who became Mannargudi Easwaran, as per Maha Periaval’s wish, is a sprightly young man in his 60’s, who many a teenager may envy, is always brisk; doesn’t walk, but runs, has a permanent smile on his face and is ever obliging.

Chennaionline caught up with this young man, a regular @ Cleveland.

In between his conversation with Shri VV Ravi and patiently listening to and conversing with parents & children alike, Sri Easwaran was kind enough to talk to COL.

COL: Vanakkam! Can I take about 20 -30 mins of your time?

Eas: Sure! It will be my pleasure to talk to Chennaionline.

COL: What brings you to Cleveland, year after year?

Eas: I simply like to be here through the festival. I like the way the festival is organized. I appreciate and admire the way artistes are treated by the organizers, rasikas, everyone. All our requirements are taken care of. We are looked after very well. I’m particularly fond of children and I love the competition that is organized, every year. Watching these children who are in an alien land, but continue to be rooted in our culture, never ceases to amaze me. I love being part of the competition scene, as a judge, as a spectator.

COL: Do you think the festival format, including the competitions is unique? Is this format something that u would recommend we take back home?

Eas: No not at all! Its just that a festival like this is one of its kind here in US. Back home, there are so many festivals, in so many places, so many different formats… you cannot compare. What is commendable about what happens here @ Cleveland is that it is so much more difficult to organize, so much more difficult to conduct a festival of this magnitude, compared to doing something similar in Chennai or any other city in India.

COL: Are you okay with the duration of this festival? May be a bit long?

Eas: I think 10 days is ok. Here again, I have to commend Mr VV Sundaram, Balu & others for organizing this festival for the past so many years. These people are very sincere.

On the subject of festival duration, ideally, if the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana could be held in different parts of the US – for example, 3 days in Cleveland, 2 days in Florida, 2 days in Boston, 2 days in San Jose etc. then more people can participate. Back home, you know, this idea is gaining ground – Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru, Hyderabadil Thiruvaiyaru etc.

COL: Is this fest @ Cleveland different/better than music festivals of comparable duration, held in India?

Eas: I don’t think comparisons are correct. I would say a festival in US and one in India are done in different ways. Locally, I mean in India, it is much easier, more convenient. Most often a simple phone call will get things moving. In the US, things are so difficult - distance, weather, alien country, hectic work schedules….

COL: Lets now move on to your life, your music, your career….

Eas: My father, Appaya Dikshitar, a Burma Shell employee, was not a musician. However, he was determined to put me under an accomplished guru.

His decision was based on our family astrologer reading my horoscope and pronouncing that I will grow up to be a professional music artiste.

Accordingly I was taken to Kuniseri Krishna Mani Iyer for Gurukulavasam ( full time residential program!!). I was to be under his tutelage for 4 years. An interesting point about induction into the gurukulam, which may surprise you all, is my Guru took me in his fold only after he was sure our horoscopes matched!! (Jadaga Porutham).

COL: Further training?

Eas: I had training under many more eminent gurus including Appaya Diskhitar.

COL: You said you were named Easwaran. How did u come to be called Manargudi Easwaran?

Eas: I was very fortunate that I had the blessings and the great affection of the Paramacharya, His Holiness Chandrasekhara Saraswathi of Kanchi Mutt. He held my hand, stroked it and blessed me and said I will become a great mridanga vidwan. It was he who told me that I should pre-fix my birthplace, Mannargudi to my name and from then I became Manargudi Easwaran.

COL: As a veteran, what is your advice to aspiring youngsters?

Eas: In my opinion, Guru Bakthi, respect for one’s Mother and serious practice are essential. Anyone who does not respect his/her Mother, will never make a mark.

Carnatic Music is divine and hence faith in God is absolutely essential.

All of us are in our Mother’s womb for 10 months – 7200 hours - and it is She who gives us life and brings us into this world.

To reach any level of excellence, 7200 hours of practice is required; to put this in perspective, if a student practices for 1 hr every day, it will take him 20 years to complete 7200 hrs. of practice.

COL: What is your take on E-Music or online music coaching?

Eas: Technology is a great enabler in many walks of life and it sure is helping in our field too. Online coaching, telephone lessons, Internet lessons etc. can only be supplemental. I don’t believe they are a substitute for face to face coaching.

You also should understand that all these new techniques, new ways are ok for vocal but will just not work for learning to play any of the instruments.

COL: Finally, your views on the future of this art form?

Eas: I would say emphatically, without any hesitation or doubt, that Carnatic Music is long lasting. It is not true it is dead, be it in India or the rest of the world. Fads may come and go but our classical music has stood the test of time and will continue to. Please remember so called light music or film music or any other form/type all of them have Carnatic Music as their base (on which they build, innovate, change).

COL: A parting shot?

Eas: Ok. Career as a professional musician is the best career one can hope for. I am fortunate to be one and I thoroughly enjoy every moment of my life in this world.