Nithya Rajendran

What first got you into music?

Music has been in my family for generations. So it came as a natural by-product of being in an enviroment of music. In addition, I grew up with parents who loved and encouraged the art form and in a school that laid tremendous emphasis on music, dance and theatre. All of these things resulted in wide exposure to state and national level competitions, prizes and awards at a reasonably early age. It also gave me stage exposure and confidence pretty
early on. I was also lucky to be trained under many prominent and illustrious gurus which continues even today. I can call all this a combination of luck, grace, love and support of family and hard work.

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

I can say that most of my challenges have been internal. Despite my early success in music, it took me some time to take it up as a full time profession. I dabbled and meandered in other professions like advertising and photography. These gave me exposure to how the other aspects of a profession work, like deadlines, deliverables and commitment to a client . Even though these were not directly related to music, I learnt a lot about the world and about professionalism and commiment. Those were challenging years since I was away from music even though by choice. Later when I realised music was my real calling, all my experiences came together and contributed to the success I enjoy today. I believe all challenges are meant to teach you something. It all comes together in the end.

How would you describe the music you typically create?

While I am a trained professional performer of both Hindustani and Carnatic vocal music, I take great interest in straddling the two very different types of vocal skills and infusing elements of one into the other. For example I love to use some aspects of hindustani ‘sur lagaav’ (application of key) and ‘taanbaazi'(vocal rifts) in Carnatic music and aspects like ‘kalpana swaram’ (improvised note patterns) of Carnatic music in my Hindustani presentation. Its exciting to do this, since it brings a completely different flavor to the intrinsic form. I also love to explore common Raagas (melodic scales) between the two as in a single artist performance on the same stage. It has been received
very well so far.

Do you have a favorite concert venue to perform in and why?

I have performed in various venues, outdoor and indoor. Auditoriums, outdoor stages and chamber music venues. While large audiences and a huge auditorium has its allure , I have personally enjoyed venues that have allowed me to connect intimately with my audiences. I also like informal settings which allow creative flexibility and an ease that allows me to have a conversation with my audiences. I love to offer classical music within a context to my audiences. The context could be aestheic appreciation or mood creation. It could even be placing Indian raagas in a
spiritual context. No matter what context I choose, a venue that allows me to connect with the audiences intimately is the one I generally prefer.

How do you feel about the impact of the internet on music?

There are many people with different views on this. But I like to look at the bright side. The internet provides opportunity to reach wider audiences. Geography becomes irrelevant, so does age or cultural backgrounds. With my fb live performances and my insta live shows I have been able to connect with a far wider audience than I have been able to with my on-stage concerts. Of course I do miss the instant feeback and applause that one hears in stage
shows but something’s got to give. One must learn to appreciate the best in everything.

In the current scenario, do you think classical music is beneficial for the people out there?

Yes very much. Infact, my venture Music Vruksh is looking to demystify and make accessible, many aspects of Indian Classical music that may be beneficial to the lay person. Its powefful aesthetic and emotive potential and its wide appearance in popular culture through raaga-based Bollywood and folk songs, allows a kind of accesibilty that no other austere art form enjoys. Music Vruksh offers classes to adults and children, lecture demostrations and workshops to corporates and multi disciplinary single artists concerts that I perform. This way we can deliver classical music to people in whatever package best suits them.

As an artist, what is your definition of success?

To be able to do something one is good at and one enjoys, as a profession, is itself a priviledge. But if one wants to aim higher as an artist, one should be able to use the art towards something larger than itself. To me, if an artist manages that and breaks barriers and enters the world of new audiences then he/she has genuined achieved something great. To me, success means being able to take classical music to the lay person and make him or her see the beauty in it without needing to be initiated. To be able to allow it to move and touch anyone. To be able to unite diverse audiences under one large canopy of music. That to me would be success.

What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music audiences/listeners?

We just need to make it accessible. To do that, classical music should be made relevant to their lives. Through my venture Music Vruksh, I am trying to send instructors to teach classical music to kids and adults in a fun and accessible way, through classes and workshops. I also write about the relevance of classical music in mental and physical wellness and use of music in spiritual pursuits in various publications, to generate interest and curiosity I also try to integrate north and south Indian audiendes theough my single artist presentations of the two forms of Indian classical music- Carnatic and Hindustani.

What’s next/upcoming for you?

Music Vruksh is making foray into many avenues. We have many batches of online classes running in India and overseas. I am also very actively writing about different uses of classical music in everyday life in different magazines and publications. My online live concerta on fb and instagram are an ongoing feature and are accessible to a world-wide audience. I am also in collaboration with 3 online platforms which offer music appreciation and music for wellness workshops to individuals and corporates. We will be heading into a fairly busy next six months .

Any message you would want to give to your readers?

I think people should wake up to the potential of music especially Indian Classical music, to please their heart and tranform their minds and bodies. There cant be an easier way to access that still, blissful, peaceful place that we are all searching for in our lives. When one is in union with music, one is in union with a divine creative force. I would tell your readers to open their ears and hearts to Indian Classical music and give it a chance to transform them.