CHENNAI: These are my deivangal (gods),” says popular musician-cum-percussionist ‘Ghatam’ Karthick pointing to the array of ‘humble looking pots’ at his home. As we sit amid the earthen pots, the instrument that had fascinated Kathick at the age of seven and still continues to, there’s a connection we draw between both, the instrument and the artiste — they are simple and grounded. The disciple of ghatam veterans Vikku Vinayakram and Subhash Chandran, Karthick will be celebrating 30 years of his career along with the launch of his album, Purnakumbham.
Karthick had been fascinated towards the ghatam because it didn’t look like any usual instrument. “It had a unique factor of making people thrilled and that drew me to it,” he says. Music was in his genes but rhythm intrigued him more. “Once when I was very young, I was so attracted by the temple thavil players and followed them during a procession. My parents were agitated and finally found me. My father gave me a good knock and that was my first rhythm!” quips Karthick who has performed along with several vocalists including Aruna Sairam, Sudha Ragunathan, TM Krishna, Sanjay Subramanian and many other international artistes.
From Carnatic music to Jugalbandhis, Jazz, Sanskrit and Tamil music compositions, Thillanas and film-oriented classical songs, the composer has done it all. But he is a constant learner. “I started formally learning the Ghatam when I was nine. I am 46 now but I am still fascinated when I see and play the Ghatam. That’s all it takes to make me smile!” he grins and breaks into an impromptu recital. “I like to put the rhythm instinct alongwith a touch of melody and lyrics in my compositions.”
Recalling an incident that symbolises his love for both the ‘mass’ and ‘class’, he narrates, “I had gone for a holiday to Mudhumalai in 2003. During a safari, a man was constantly staring at me and after a while he approached me and asked, Sir, neenge andha paanai adikaravaru dhane? (You are the person who plays the mud pot right?). This man spoke in namma very own Madras bashai and I responded with an ama ma. He even remembered a TV show that I part of in 2000 and told me this: “I have never liked Carnatic music as it’s tough to comprehend. But, after I saw you play on TV, I have started listening to it once in a while’. I was even given an award by him in the middle of a jungle!” recalls the PhD major in Sanskrit.
The same week, Karthick performed in front of connoisseurs of Carnatic music in a traditional Sabha, and the same evening, he played the Ghatam for a song from the film Saamy. “I’ve always had a flare to do new and nice things. I dabble with different music and I delicately balance the mass and the class,” shares the artiste who has also performed as a soloist with the London philharmonia orchestra. “It was an unforgettable experience.
The London audience does not clap in between pieces. They only give an ovation in the end but, during my solo performance, as I was playing and the rhythm reached a crescendo, they were all clapping! It was very unusual and even the phiharmonia group were baffled!” reminisces the founder of Heartbeat ensemble.
He has always been aware of his calling in music and says that he is glad to be doing what makes him happy. “I had a father who let me do what makes me happy. He said: “Even if you earn four Annas, you should earn it with happiness” That’s what I am doing now!” he smiles.
Musical extravaganza Karthick will be celebrating along with the launch of his album Purnakumbham which has 30 pieces of his compositions in various genres. The album will be released by Vikku Vinayakram and will be received by music directors C Sathya, Sean Roldan and Singer Sid Sriram at RR Sabha, Mylapore on Novermber 23. The event will also see music renditions from the album by Sudha Raja’s choir, dance by Shweta Prachende, Sudharma Vaithiyanathan’s and a fun segment with Bosskey.
