HYDERABAD: Emani Kalayani Lakshminarayana, renowned veena artiste talks about how she started playing the veena when she was just 13 years old, her father’s phenomenal influence and the need for cross-cultural collaborations in music. She performed during the World Music Day celebration at Alliance Francaise recently.
The Hyderabad chapter of Alliance Francaise celebrated World Music Day on Sunday by organising numerous music performances throughout the city in 20 different venues. A variety of musical genres such as Indian modern, Western classical, Broadway, Pop music, Sufi, Hindustani, Carnatic, Instrumental etc were performed.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how did you start your journey?
Since I belong to a traditional veena artiste family, I learnt everything from my father, Emani Sankara Sastry. Even though my father was an international veena artiste, he never made it easy for me to learn from him. He always asked me to wait for the opportunity. He wanted to test how committed I was. One fine day, when he realised I was catching up with the nuances of playing the veena, he told me I was ready to perform on stage. I was 13 at that time. And that’s how I mostly learnt. It was on stage during live performances and not when we were at home. That’s how my journey unfolded.
Apart from your father did you have any other guru?
No. My father was my only guru because he was the best veena artiste. I didn’t need to go elsewhere.
Can you tell us more about the Emani style of veena playing, named after your father?
This style was founded by my father. This style includes all the qualities and characteristics that a vainika (veena player) should have. Even though all the styles of veena playing are similar, every approach is different. Just like how in Hindustani art forms there are gharanas, similarly, my father developed a style of his own. The Emani style is distinct as it also includes a few modern elements here and there.
Why did you choose to include western numbers during your performance for World Music Day celebrations?
Because there was a mixed crowd I chose to play some bhajans, some Vedic hymns and also some western numbers. I find that people really enjoy it when I play western numbers especially the youngsters. To me music is anything that gives you happiness and all music is ultimately one. I make sure that the crowd enjoys with me. That’s how people participate and connect.
How important do you think are such cross-cultural collaborations?
Music has no boundary. I am really happy that Alliance Francaise organised such a beautiful event to celebrate music by bringing together so many artistes, young and old on one stage. Cultural exchange is the key to celebrate music. All musicians are like members of a large family and we got to come together. I am really happy to be associated with this event.