Commemorating Ten Years Since Srikantan’s Passing
A decade has drifted by since the renowned Carnatic vocalist RK Srikantan departed from the world, yet his musical legacy remains evergreen. The Vidwan RK Srikantan Trust, helmed by his son and vocalist Rudrapatnam S Ramakanth, is preparing for its annual music festival and award function, a heartfelt tribute that will showcase the maestro’s illustrious journey and achievements in the realm of classical music.
A Life of Musical Elegance
“My father graced the stage for 83 long years and lived to the ripe age of 94,” reflects Ramakanth. This year stands out as it marks the 70th anniversary of Srikantan’s maiden performance at the Music Academy in Chennai back in 1954. Three decades have passed since he was honored with the T Chowdiah National Award by the Academy of Music in Bangalore.
An Esteemed Pedagogue Remembered
As an adept student and accompanying musician of Srikantan, Ramakanth had a close vantage point to observe his father’s impressive versatility in classical music. “He had a natural flair for teaching, which won him thousands of students and acclaim,” Ramakanth notes, referencing the ‘Best Teacher Award’ his father received from the Bangalore City Corporation 50 years ago. The upcoming event promises to be a treasure for his followers and students, celebrating his milestones.
The Roots of Rudrapatnam
Born on January 14, 1920, in the small village of Rudrapatnam on the banks of the Cauvery River within Karnataka’s Hassan district, RKS was nurtured in a family with deep roots in Carnatic music. Not only was his father a recognized musician, but he also excelled as a Harikatha exponent and scholar, while his grandfather and brothers shared similar academic and musical accolades. Music critic BVK Sastry often quipped that the family had enough talent to form a choral society of their own.
Musical Foundations
In the absence of radio in Srikantan’s early life in Mysore, the home reverberated with musical teaching and learning, with his father and his eldest brother mentoring him. His profound musical foundation was later strengthened in Madras where he met several iconic musicians. These interactions profoundly influenced his own style.
Bringing Peace Through Purity
Srikantan had a deep appreciation for the musical offerings of legends like Mysore Vasudevacharya, Veena Seshanna, and Madurai Mani Iyer. He believed their works embodied purity and brought peace to listeners.
More Than Music: A Broadcast Legacy
Along with his musical pursuits, Srikantan secured a BA degree, embarked on a broadcasting career with the Mysore State Radio, which post-Independence, became All India Radio (AIR) in Bangalore. His innovations in radio production, including the ‘GanaVihara’, saw such popularity that public demand saw its revival after a decade-long run.
A Gracious Composer and Traditionalist
Training hundreds of students, Srikantan’s influence extended to well-known artists such as MS Sheela and N Ravikiran. As a composer, he created an extensive repertoire of pieces celebrating a range of Kannada luminaries and saints, entwining his musical brilliance with literary heritage.
Legacy: Balance and Belief
Ramakanth muses over the delicate balance he had to maintain between modern demands and his father’s unwavering commitment to traditional values—a feature that defined both his music and life. For Srikantan, music was not just an art; it was an honorable legacy he bequeathed to posterity, making every note and every teaching moment count toward an unfading musical imprint.
The Verdict of Time
Even as we mark the absence of the maestro, his music continues to echo through time, inspiring and moving the current generation and those to come. It is clear that the impact of RK Srikantan’s life in music is indelible, a treasured heritage that resonates through the corridors of Carnatic music history, unbound by the passage of time.
