BENGALURU: Trained since the age of six as, Vidwan Sridhar Narasimhan played accompanist to performances by the Bombay sisters, Sikkil sisters and other professionals. His debut album, is an attempt to essay the journey of two individuals starting a relationship. Their youthful love takes a turn slowly, as they move to different towns for their careers, changing their bond into one of reminiscence. Artist Sridhar said the musically and lyrically rich Ranjaka, will be released at ADA Rangamandira on April 7.
“The album has eight tracks that portray youth, love and marriage. The story starts with love at first sight, later taking the lovers to different towns where they become nostalgic of the past. While there is friction, their bond grows stronger showing that they are meant for each other,” he said, adding that he has combined rasas and shlokas in the music.
“For the track where they feel nostalgic about their time spent together, I have used peppy melody with elements of Hindustani, Carnatic and western music, all in one song. I have nevr stuck one kind of music,” says the ex-IT professional, who would step out of Prakash Studios in Chennai to listen to folks jamming to rock music.
There is an element of creative adoption of the graha bedham and shruti bedha, transporting the listener into a certain scale of western music, an age of romance in the pre-modern area. This coupled with the choicest of words, set the mood and prelude into different stages of life.
Why Ranjaka?
“In Kannada, ranjane means entertainment and ranjake means entertainer. My album is a pure entertainer,” quipped Sridhar.Worry not about understanding the language, he said further adding, “The lyrics are in Kannada but even a non-Kannadiga can enjoy it. After the composition, I played them to classical musicians, non-Kannadigas, Kannadigas and they all appreciated the music. It is for all age groups, people in love, couples fighting and even married partners.”
The one man show includes production, orchestra and lyrics all done by him, except for some tracks where his students sing the female parts. His IT experience came in handy, for he could use technical skills for digital production.
“You can feel the real symphony effect though it has been produced digitally. The composition has been on the backburner for 20 years due to my career. I had to also look for investments as studio softwares and instruments are expensive,” he added.
Sridhar trained under AV Venkataramanaiah, RR Keshavamurthy and Padma Bhushan MS Gopalakrishnan. He has been an accompanist to CM Maduranath, BN Suresh, MT Selvanarayana, Kurudi Venkannanchar and others.