On collaborations with musicians abroad:
The Carnegie Hall in New York, Le Theatre de la Ville in Paris and the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco are among the venues that have enabled me to collaborate with internationally renowned artistes like Dominique Vellard (French master of Gregorian chant) and Christian Bollmann of Germany, besides A-grade North Indian musicians. I’ve also participated in fetes like Spirit of Fes, which toured the US in the fall of 2006, with eminent American musicians.
On music festivals in India:
Music programmes happen throughout the year in our country, but Chennai’s Margazhi is special. Year by year, its demand and interest are steadily rising, making it a challenge to cater to the rasika’s tastes.
The December season has registered tremendous growth in the last decade with a spurt in sabhas and sponsors.
On reality shows:
Reality Shows are welcome, if the competition is healthy.
I’d like the parents to feed the child with what she or he can take. If we overload them, children would only start disliking music.
As a subject of study:
I wish music were made a part of the school curriculum — as a measure to make children know its basics and carry it on, at least as a hobby. It would help ease their academic pressure, prompt them to search the eternal self and work towards perfection.
On divinity in music:
Every kind of music has its element of divinity. It’s one form that has no particular religion, and can connect with anyone.