Renowned carnatic musician, seasoned artiste, a top-ranking AIR artiste and recipient of awards and honours like Sangeetha Choodamani, Arsha Kala Bhushan, Tamil Isai Vendhar are just a few accolades. The globe- trotter Maharajapuram Ramachandran continues to cast the Maharajapuram magic in his own style across the world, with his mellifluous voice, exemplifying his creative approach. “My grandfather Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer had his own style of presentation, which was bold and unconventional, but it was my father Santhanam who had a unique intuitive power to grasp the pulse of the audience,” says Ramachandran.
Speaking about the distinct cascading gamakas in mohana, (the signature raga of Maharajapuram Santhanam) and the long phrases of Brindavana Saranga, he dives into the details about the broader contours of the raga.
Explaining how the family moved to Ceylon in 1960, Ramachandran says that his father became the principal of a music college and continued his tutelage under his parents.
“When we moved back, my father began his stage career in Krishna Gana Sabha, which got a warm response overall,” he says. Ramachandran attributes his share of success to his mother Gnanam. “In fact, amma was a huge pillar of inspiration and support to us as a musician but after marriage, she preferred to remain behind the scenes,” he says.
Ramachandran recollects how his father performed ragas that his grandfather had not, highlighting kalyana sasantham and harikhambodi as instances, retaining the traditional appeal.
So, how about the music scenario today?
“When grandfather performed, there was the Academy and a few other sabhas. I had my first solo concert at the same venue where my dad performed, and won the Governor’s Medal’. Now rasikas come flocking from across the world. Times are changing,” he says. Bringing back his fond memories of learning-singing lessons from both the legends, he says the most significant day of his life was when he got the divine blessings from Kanchi Maha Periyavar during one of his concerts.
Admitting that his father created a wave of popularity for himself and it has been unparalleled, he says that his whole-hearted efforts strive to create a niche for himself, maintaining the unique quality of the family, adhering to the ‘Maharajapuram discipline’.
He adds that he combines what he had learnt from his father, captivating people from all walks of life into its fold without compromising on the classical timbre of music.