THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Then you think India, you think of classical music. In a country where you find a vast number of Hindusthani classical or carnatic musicians, western classical genre is a minority, and to make a mark in it is an even greater task. Thangadurai Samuel is one such musician who has not only pursued the genre for a long time, but has also carved a niche for himself. The western classical guitar maestro was in the city on Thursday to perform a western classical music concert organised as part of the 14th Bach Festival held at YMCA in the capital recently.
The heavenly strumming of the guitar filled the crowded hall as the audience soaked in the melodious tunes at the music fest organised by the Clef and Canto music school in the city.
Through a captivating western classical music concert which went on for over three hours, a fitting tribute was given to one of the legends in the genre. Apart from the Madras Quitar Quintet led by Thangadurai, There were also performances by a Trivandrum Guitar Ensemble led by Willy Pulimugath, director, Clef and Canto Music School
Speaking about the changing approach towards musical genres, he says, “Nowadays, people have more exposure and access to the genre, through the internet. More and more people are also coming forward with an interest in western classical music.”
For him, music seemed to be in the genes. While his brothers used to play the violin, he was intriqued with the musical genre listening to them perform along with the classical numbers on the radio. However, it was after 1975 that he stàrted taking up his guitar seriously. Starting the Madras Guitar society in 1988 and eventually the Madras Quitar Quintet, which has five other members apart from him, Thangadurai Samuel has come a long way. However he feels that there are still problems the musical branch faces here. Says the western classical guitar maestro, “Compared to European countries, the musicians do not get much support from the Government. Also it is hard to make a career out of it like pop or jazz.”
The musician also has the claim to being the first South Indian to get a lifetime achievement award from the Calcutta Classical Guitar Society. The musician feels that though Thiruvananthapuram has more of a carnatic background neing a conservative city, things have changed a lot. Says the guitarist, “The crowd has now started embracing western classical music.” Talking more about their time in the capital city, Thangadurai Samuel says, “ It is a good city, peaceful with no noise pollution,” while another team member quips, “if we had the choice, we would have settled down here.”
The musician who regards Andres Segovia his favourite western classical musician, also teaches the piano, though guitar has always been his primary instrument.
