T. S. Anantharama Bhagavathar

CHEMBUR musician, T. S. Anantharama Bhagavathar was recently honored by the Fine Arts Society, Chembur and the Mysore Association, Matunga for this contribution to Carnatic music. Yet another organisation – Brindavan Seva Sangam, Thane – felicitated him on February 2.

To be appreciated and honoured is always rewarding to an artiste and Anantharama Bhagavathar has had several such moments in his musical career spanning over three decades – the most cherished Sarada Peetham conferred in 1992. but this deeply religious vidwan attributes it all to the divine command. "I would leave my white-collar job and become a full-fledged musician – it just happened." Reveals Bhagavathar.

And it occurred in 1985, Anantharaman was in this forties with a wife and child to support, when one could think twice before changing a career. But he chucked the job he has been at for 24 years and plunged into music totally. "My friends often advised me to take up music as a career but I was hesitant," he says. And his wife, Radha stood by him in his endeavour. And his son, Shivkumar who is now studying to be a Chartered Accountant is also a budding violinist and provides vocal support to his father at concerts maintaining the family’s musical lineage.

Anantharaman hails from a family of musician in Palakkad, Kerala. His grand – father, Palakkad Anantharama Bhagavathar and his paternal uncle, T.A K Swamy Bhagavathar were stawarts in Carnatic music. Anantaraman’s formal training began at the age of five under his aunt Mangalam. Later he honed his skills under Vidwan Appukuttan Varar, Trichi Swaminatha Iyer and his own siter Kaveri who too is Mumbai. He also learnt meidangam under Vidwan Palakad Raghu when his voice became hoarse and unsuitable for singing. But since vocal music was his first love he practiced vigorously and regained his voice.

Anantharaman came to Mumbai in 1960 and took up a job in a private firm. But he continued to spare time for his music and had his first concert in 1962. soon after he became an All India Radio artiste. Since then he has performed in many sabhas not only in Mumbai, but also in Calcutta, Trivandram and many other cities in South India.

He also set up his own music school in Chembur to impart training in Carnatic music. "A systematic teaching not only makes a student a good performer but also a good rasika well-versed in the theory and practice of Carnatic music, teaching is a learning process for the teacher too," reiterates the Guru.

His institution was the first in Mumbai to train students for government technical examination – over 80 students have so far successfully passed the Government of Karnataka Music Examinations at Bangalore.
Anantharaman is a traditionalist with a progressive approach – he believes in presenting Carnatic music in innovative formats to sustain the interest of the audience. Navagraha Gananjali, an audio –visual presentation of renowned composer, Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s Navagraha Krithis, a quiz programme on Carnatic music is two of his many interesting creations.

Founder member of the Sabha Nadabrahmam, Bhagavathar feels that very few Sabhas promote local talents. "They blame the lack of audience for not giving an opportunity to local artistes, "he laments. But he has never regretted his plunge into it.

And Anantharaman has a dream – of developing his school into a full-fledged music institution – on the lines of Kalakshetra in Chennai offering training in all stream of music with library, practice rooms, accommodation for visiting artistes etc. He is not sure whether it will ever become a reality in his lifetime but again he leaves it all to the Almighty.

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