HYDERABAD: Sometimes, all that’s common to a IT professional, a finance expert, a media professional and a singer is soulful music. They came together initially to practice for the Tyagaraja pancharatna kritis for an TV show and for a mega event as part of the annual festival to mark the anniversary of Sri Tyagaraja. Soon enough they bonded and decided to contribute to music, in their own little ways. Ranjani formed organically for the event but soon the group started enjoying the collaboration.
“Although I have sung for popular music directors for movies, it was my dream to be part of the classical tradition and it came true now,” says Venu Srirangam, who hails from the family of eminent classical guru Srirangam Gopalrathnam.
“To be able to enhance the already soulful compositions with emphasis on lyric is our primary attempt,” says Venu Madhav, a finance expert who is also a passionate singer. We see tremendous emphasis on popular film music in reality shows and various platforms. But there is not much happening on the cultural front in city like Hyderabad. Whatever music happens is in pockets on the outskirts in niche gatherings. “Luckily, Ranjani and the love for music is what is drawing busy working professionals to drive down two hours each way to realise our dream of collaborative music,” he adds. Tyagaraja pancharatna kritis are not only the gems of classical music but also a treasure of lyrical and musical value to this generation, they say in unison.
“Indian classical music is our first language and it has been a great experience aligning with various notation styles in the group. This is real symphony”, says Bheemashankar, a techie who works with DST-Worldwide. The group founded by music composer and singer Nihaal has singers like Nityasantoshini, Lavanya, Sunitha Balaji and Swapna apart from other names like Pavan, Saandip and Latha.