BANGALORE: From stepping on to stage as a solo vocalist at just seven years of age, to an enthusiastic Carnatic classical flautist, who is as much into fusion music, animation, and scoring music for documentary films, it has been an exciting journey for Varijashree, who, at 18, has a distinct and varied musical identity that no longer depends on being associated with her father, Carnatic music flautist HS Venugopal. This is more than a matter the world time she was three, she could identify some 200 ragas, which was proof enough of her innate sense of music. What is interesting about her serious pursuit of classical music as a professional, is her equal interest in academics and her forays into fusion music (with Praveen D Rao), and Hindustani ghazal concerts, which are certainly not at variance with the classical form, in her case.
This is what gives her the tag of being talented and multi-faceted.
For all appearances, Varijashree is a typical teenager, in attire and confidence, but it is backed by a track record of varied musical outings. She has tried her hand in different art forms, and tasted success. “Right from high school, pure art like sketching and painting interested me. Anything creative fascinates me, and my training in Carnatic music has helped me adapt to different styles,” she says. Being tutored by Salem S Sunderesan, who carries the mantle of belonging to the direct lineage of Thyagaraja’s disciples, has helped her to get involved in music at a deeper level, Varijashree.
was only about three years ago that she took to playing the flute, has learnt the techniques well enough to branch off as a soloist.
Her vocal concert, slated at the Unnati Centre, on September 6, at 10.30 am, reiterates again her grip both flute and vocal. The threeyear diploma course in 3-D animation Varijashree is doing, is the job-oriented career she is looking for, along with fusion band is also being planned.
brought out two music albums— Upasan, and has composed the the docu-film, Ashtaavadhaana, by Shataavadhaani R Gaesh, giving a glimpse of her creativity.