Comprehending lyrics and channeling your emotions in the right direction while rendering a flute concert is not an easy task. Here is a 35-year old artiste, Ganesh K S, a resident of Girinagar, who grasps the lyrics well before he presents any composition in a concert.
Ganesh, who is also a Yakshagana artiste, started learning Carnatic classical music under the tutelage of Lakshmi, his grandmother at the age of five. His interest was then channelled towards exploring different nuances in flute. “My parents identified my interest towards learning flute and gave me an opportunity to learn under the guidance Kasargodu Uppangala Shyam Bhat.”
He later started learning vocal music under A Ishwar Bhat which helped him to delve deeper into the world of music. Ganesh soon applied the skills he imbibed to his flute renditions.
He then decided to share his knowledge on music through a radio programme aired by Madekeri Akashavani.
“I conducted this programme for over one and a half years. Through these programmes, I reached out to a large number of music lovers in rural areas in Madikeri where Carnatic classical music was not well-known. Through this programme, I not only received good response from listeners but it also gave me recognition.” Later, he got an opportunity to perform with a Sandalwood playback singer Ramesh Chandra. Today there is no dearth of film projects in his musical journey.
The flautist has also performed in Hampi Utsava, Mysore Dasara festival, Madras Academy Music, Akhila Bharatha Sahitya Sammela for three consecutive years. Speaking about one of his memorable concerts, he said, “Years ago, I performed with my teacher, A Ishwar Bhat in Kerala. I chose to play Nagumomu, a composition by Saint Thyagaraja in Abheri Raga. I almost forgot the materialistic world while performing the compositioin. At the end of the concert, the audiences appreciated my music. It was in the same concert that my teacher also appreciated the style of rendition which was a real honour and encouragement for me.”
Besides playing Carnatic classical music, Ganesh also performs fusion music concert.
When asked about fusion music, he said, “I divide a fusion music concert into two halves. In the first half, I experiment with a small portion of the composition ensuring that the quality of the composition is not diluted in any form. In the second half, I perform a Raga in which I explore different nuances of it.” According to him, fusion music also promotes Carnatic classic music to the younger generation. Apart from Carnatic classical music, he also loves to listen to pop music and Hindustani classical music. “This helps me to adopt various styles of music especially when I undertake film projects,” he concluded with a smile.