BOKEH - SESHU'S LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG
T.N. Krishnan | Thiruvanmayoor, Chennai, India
02.11.10
Mavens of Music Series Launches
I love Indian classical music; Hindustani or Carnatic. I can't say that I know much about it from the technical aspects of it, but I will sit and listen to it in rapt attention now.
That wasn't the case when I was growing up in India. I recall my parents instructing me to sit and listen. As a child who couldn't make sense of the long 'alap' that most Indian musicians start their 'ragas' with, I remember becoming restless, fidgety and somewhat frustrated by what my untrained ear was hearing. All that has changed now and I am glad that my parents did what they did back then.
I have long been intrigued by musicians. Not so much about who they are on stage, as they are at home or in their favorite neighborhood, or even right before they go on to perform. What are they like? What rituals do they perform? Who are they really?
I assume that their on-stage persona is most definitely different. Would you agree? So, after thinking about what I wanted to see and document, I broached the subject to my parents who now live in Chennai. They put me in touch with Akila Ganeshan, who is married to a highly regarded violinist named Shriram. He, in turn, made it possible for me to speak with a few of the stalwarts in the music business.
On this recent trip to India, I met with and photographed Mr. T. N. Krishnan. He is a classically trained Carnatic musician. He is one of the greats. No doubt about that. He often plays with his daughter Viji (whom I didn't get to meet on this last trip). He also has a son out on the West coast, named Shriram, who also plays the violin. I had the opportunity some time back when I was a student in Chico, California, to hear all three of them play. What a treat that was.
So, when I called Mr. T. N. Krishnan, he made some time for us to meet at his home. I told him of my interest and of my personal project and he graciously complied, allowing me to spend about 20 minutes photographing him practicing on the violin. I asked him what raga he was playing. "Kharaharapriya," he shot back assuming in some surprise that I knew it. I didn't. This one frame above is my favorite of Mr. T. N. Krishnan's. He didn't particularly feel comfortable playing outdoors, where his neighbors may ask pesky questions. We stayed in and I circled around where he was sitting, watching and waiting for the right moment in the right kind of light.
And, so, starts Mavens of Music, a portrait project of Indian musicians doing what they love and being who they are. Next up is Mrs. Anuradha Shriram, an amazing vocalist. I have also contacted Padma Vibushan winner Umayalapuram Shivaraman and the saxophone player, Kadari Gopalnath. I am also looking forward to meeting Mr. T.M. Krishna in Boston when he visits in March for a lecture-demonstration on the MIT campus, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
By the way, my father-in-law, Dr. Krishna Raghavendra, is a master of the South Indian stringed instrument called the Veena. Based in Boston, he regularly travels to India to record and perform. It's really sweet to be in such great company.
Post your comments below. What do you think of this personal portrait project? Are you a photographer also working on something special? Let me know.
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