Contribution of Parur’s family to Carnatic Music
BY SUBHA V DILIP
It’s almost sunset on a hot summer evening. There is a clear sound of
harmonium coming from one room and there is a violin tune of Sa Paa
coming from another. From the latter, comes out, Parur
Ananthalakshmi, the elder daughter of Parur MA Krishnaswamy.
After bidding goodbye to her students, she goes in and comes back in
jiff all dressed up in traditional attire. She waves me goodbye saying
that she is performing kutcheri nearby that evening.
Along the many houses on Apparswamy Koil Street (North), lies the
century old house of the legendary Parur family. Currently, Mr. Parur
M.A Krishnaswamy, the second son of late Parur M.S Anantharaman
and the grandson of late Parur Sundaram Iyer, resides here with his
wife and two children.
The house serves as an exemplar of a rich culture and traditions. The
living room is filled with the awards, accolades, statues and frames of
different gods, old and new pictures of the entire Parur family.
The house begins in one street and ends at the next street, just like how
the olden days houses used to be. After finishing her evening music
classes Lakshmi Krishnaswamy, wife of Parur M.A Krishnaswamy joined
me for chitchat.
Before we could begin, she reminds her students of their homework
and bids good bye to the parents as well. Mrs. Lakshmi hails from
Madurai and is a dedicated student of TN Seshagopalan. After learning
music from her guru for 15 years almost in the form of Gurukulavasam
she married M.A Krishnaswamy and moved to Chennai.
Lakshmi distinctly remembers how her father in law MS Anantharaman
encouraged her to learn and teach violin to others. After learning the
Parur style of music, Mrs. Lakshmi started her own music academy,
Skanda Gana Vidyalaya in 2000. Her passion of giving her students the
experience of learning music, is clearly visible in her attitude and
love towards them. Her students range from six year olds to 60 plus, all
learning through online and offline classes. She takes her students to
the concerts within and outside Chennai and thoroughly relishes the
experience of singing together
In the world where hunger for commercial success overtakes
passion and inner peace, she truly is a living example of a true music
lover. Apart from teaching, she thoroughly enjoys interacting with her
students and even cooking for her students.
When I asked for her message to all music lovers and learners, she
replies “Gnanam or talent in music is something that is inborn; however
the dedication and not attaching yourself to materialistic success will
take you a long way in music.”
After finishing his Sandhyavandhanam Krishnaswamy joins us in the
foyer prior to the living room. This Kalaimamani recipient learnt music
from both his father and grandfather Krishnaswamy begins by
confessing that he is a very short tempered and straight forward
person.
His choice of not pursuing any of the light music chances has landed
him in a tight spot many times. But he seems to be not at all bothered
about it. His passion for the instrument, which he says in his own words
is the toughest instrument to learn, overshadows all criticism he faces.
Retired recently from All India Radio, he performs solo and group
performances in and outside India. His brother Parur MA
Sundareswaran is also a renowned artist in the music field. His sister Dr
MA Bhagirathi is a retired principal from Queen Mary’s College. One
thing very common to all members of this family is that they are not
able to remember when they actually started learning Violin. As early as
they could remember they learnt to play violin, which makes us imagine
that their elders involved them in their practices when they were
toddlers.
“12 hours together and 12 years together” - he remembers the exact
words taught to him by his father to become a good musician. But he
states that the generation today, especially the parents of small kids
aspiring to learn music/instrument looks at music as a hobby. He
remembers that he never learnt anything from book; it was all from his
grandfathers practice sessions that he listened and practiced.
He has ample stories to tell about his father and grandfather, especially
the ones that taught him the value of music and life. Once when he was
in college, he attended a competition and had won first prize. It got late
that day for him to return home with his prize and a heart full of
happiness.
Once he reached home, he happily told his father about his victory for
which the reply was “Madaiya, yen late?” That time he could not
understand why his father didn’t appreciate or praise him for winning
the competition.
Months later, a critic had written bad reviews about his violin
performance. Reading the review made Krishnaswamy lose his
confidence. He went and shared his feelings with his father for which
the reply was “Madaiya, practice ku time aachu”
Recollecting these incidents Krishnaswamy proudly says that his father
and grandfather were never affected by praise or criticism. It is their
utmost dedication and discipline that made them the legends that they
truly are! During the final days of his father Krishnaswamy recalls his
father as an active violin player who even performed kutcheris
Krishnaswamy used to sit near his dad for half an hour everyday
recording his stories, statements and highlights of his life experiences.
He was very much in pain when both the computer and the video
cassette which had detailed recordings of the legend Parur MS
Anantharaman crashed recently.
Presently, each day he makes up some time to share all his memories of
his father and grandfather to his children. Through this knowledge
transfer, he hopes that the Parur style of music along with the rich
culture and tradition of the family continue to be followed in the
future.
Ananthalakshmi is now back from her kutcheri and shares her pride to
be part of this legendary family. After finishing her M.S music, she is
currently pursuing her PhD in music, the topic being Bharatheeya
Sangeetham of Parur Violin Style, she teaches violin to many students
across ages and is an online faculty of Raaga School of Music.
Her brother M K Anantha Balasubramaniam has just finished his tenth
grade with distinction and is pursuing commerce with Math. Though he
plays Mridangam and Violin, he says he has enormous passion towards
the latter. Be it academics or music, the kids in the house seem to have
a very good hang of things.
As i wrap up my long talk with the family my mind was trying to figure
out how to bring out an article out of my notes, when the contents
seem right for a book. Meanwhile in the background the mother-
daughter are excited about the 20 guests arriving during weekend and
are discussing detail menu plans.
