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 My
romance with violin started when I was six years declares a
beaming M S Gopalakrishnan., who epitomizes the Parur style of
playing the violin. His father Parur Sundaram Iyer himself a
leading violinist was a hard task master who would wake up his
children as early as 4am for violin classes. His brother M S
Anantharaman is an octogenarian violinist who has carved a niche
for himself in the elite field.
Sundaram Iyer is proficient in both the streams of music –
Carnatic and Hindustani. Gopalakrishnan's house was suffused
with the melodic strains of violin from dawn to dusk an his
practice would go on for hours. His father emphasized on playing
three speeds in one string without changing over to the other
strings, MSG as he is affectionately called worships Music and
venerates his father who was responsible for inculcating the
spirit of music in him. It is indeed difficult to learn both the
streams of music but MSG did it with panache.
Blessed with prodigious talents his maiden
concert was at Bengal Music Conference, Calcutta. He accompanied
Pt..Omkarnath, a doyen of Hindustani music in Calcutta. Pundit
Omkarnath was awe struck by his exemplary style and showered
encomiums on him.
He had an eclectic exposure under Krishnanand
of Kirana Gharana. I never mixed both the genres in fact I am at
ease with both states MSG who is trail blazer in both the
styles.
He echoed the views of the elders saying that
Kelvi gnanam is essential for garnering a little from the ocean
of music.His career has been a saga of grit and determination
and he attained consummate artistry in carnatic and Hindustani .
Sundaram Iyer taught him different methods of bowing-thavil,staccato
bowing and bowing in one string.
A violinist should be a vocalist as it
enhances the style and the Bhava will be mirrored while playing
declares MSG.
He has a kaleidoscope of experiences as he
has accompanied almost all the titans of the music world except
D K Pattamal.
He has performed Jugal bandhi with the crème
de la crème of Hindustani musicians. To blend tradition and
modernity one should be innovative opines the veteran. He has
been alternating between the genres which is a musical Mélange
for the connoisseurs.
A true Nadopasaka singing a kriti is like
performing archana to the Almighty states MSG.
His musical erudition has taken to places
throughout the globe as an apostle of music.
He is graced with a slew of awards from the
govt and sabhas.. He has a legion of sishyas who are trying to
emulate him. His daughter Dr.Narmada is a renowned violinist and
his son Suresh is following his father's foot steps. MSG is
credited to have lifted the art to greater heights of purity and
classicism.
Mira
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