MB#96: 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙣 𝙆𝙚𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮.
- www.suryanarayana.com
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
[MemoirBlogthon #96] Despite a childhood marked by failed attempts at instrumental music—from noisy drums to a breath-straining mouth organ—my fascination remained strong, fueled by my mother's Carnatic heritage and a chance encounter with Veena exponent Ms. Echampati Gayathri. At the age of 60, prompted by her advice to try the digital keyboard, I secretly enrolled in a music school. This blog details my six-month journey under the guidance of Mr. Jason, who, despite specializing in Western music, grounded me in orthodox Carnatic basics using the Ganamrutham Bodhini. Today, ten years later, I play a repertoire of patriotic songs and nine Annamacharya Keerthanas, having mastered the karaoke style of playing. My father's final encouragement—that the keyboard is a form of "acupuncture on your health"—validated this pursuit as a perfect, lifelong exercise.
The Instrumental Setbacks of Childhood 🥁
As captured in my earlier blog, "Music was the steady heartbeat of our home," my parents ensured it was a part of our family legacy. When I was young, our home music tutor, Shri NCV Jagannadha Charyulu, conveyed that my voice was too bold for classical vocal training. He wisely prescribed instrumental training, suggesting the tabla or violin.
My father, ever encouraging, bought whatever simple musical instrument I asked for, perhaps testing where my true liking lay. My attempts were, to put it mildly, brief and often disruptive:
Drum Set: Quickly discontinued because the loud beating annoyed everyone.
Mouth Organ: I could only perfect the first line of any song and found it caused breathing problems.
Xylophone: Though my mother liked the devotional rhythm, my siblings complained it disturbed their studies.
Mini Saxophone: My efforts caused our family pet to react as if an "enemy pet entered" the house.
Ultimately, I stopped exploring instruments, shifting my focus to listening. I would intently watch the live musicians at circus shows and, at social events, would often approach the band troupe to request my favorite songs.
The Veena Catalyst and the Secret Vow 🧘
My true instrumental fascination settled upon the Veena, specifically the artistry of child prodigy Ms. Echampati Gayathri. Having been a senior grade artist for All India Radio since 1973, Gayathri represented the pinnacle of traditional instrumental music. I collected all her CDs—Carnatic on veena, Annamacharya Keerthanas, and Telugu hits—and attended her three-hour veena concert at Ravindra Bharati in Hyderabad.
After the performance, I waited 20 minutes to compliment her, telling her, "I am listening to your veena songs every day, including during my car drive." She smiled and, seeing my enthusiasm, offered a piece of advice that changed my trajectory: she suggested I try my hand at the digital keyboard. Her rationale was clear and practical: it suited a corporate professional, it was not difficult to learn, it was easy to practice at home, and I could pursue it lifelong.
This event became the real beginning of my keyboard journey. Crucially, I kept this information private, fearing family discouragement based on my past failures.
The Unconventional Teacher and Orthodox Basics 📘
In 2013, at the age of 60, I decided to act. I went straight to a nearby music learning school with a clear, specific objective: I wanted to learn Carnatic music on the keyboard to play Telugu and Hindi hits, not for public performance, but for personal pleasure as I aged.
I was introduced to Mr. Jason, a Christian teacher with two decades of experience, primarily teaching Western music and playing for church troupes. I immediately worried I had made a mistake.
But Mr. Jason sensed my doubt. He surprised me by sharing that he had learned Carnatic music basics from his mother. He said he had never taught anyone who was 60 years old, let alone Annamacharya Keerthanas, but he took on the challenge. He recommended I begin with the basics in the orthodox lines, asking me to purchase "Ganamrutham Bodhini" (a book for beginners) and commit to a six-month, one-hour daily tuition starting at 6:30 AM.
Achieving Competency and the Final Validation 💚
My initial apprehension—whether I could reach the competency of a Veena exponent like Gayathri—slowly faded. After the first month, the rigorous basics were complete. Mr. Jason, whom I affectionately call 'Jason Sir,' guided me to buy a Yamaha keyboard compatible with playing Indian musical instruments.
Four months in, my progress was rapid, driven by my consistent practice. Jason Sir appreciated my dedication and advised me that classroom lessons were no longer necessary; I only needed to practice diligently at home. Simultaneously, I leveraged technology, downloading YouTube videos, notations, and techniques from keyboard experts, practicing for about two hours daily.
He taught me the India National Anthem, "Jana Gana Mana," as my first real song, which showed me how important patriotic songs are. I continue to play the anthem at the end of my daily music hour.
Today, I have reached my objective: I play 9 Annamacharya Keerthanas by looking at my own handwritten notation folder. I mastered the karaoke style, where I fill the gaps of the original vocal part of the song with my keyboard tune, ensuring whoever listens can connect to the original song.
My home routine starts with the patriotic Vandemataram, followed by Keerthanas and a devotional song like Lingashtakam, concluding with the National Anthem. When guests visit, I demonstrate one title while sitting down and insist on playing the National Anthem while standing, asking them to stand as well.
I enjoyed playing my keyboard for my parents and changing the songs I played to fit their tastes. My father’s final words on my hobby remain the ultimate compliment:
"You have chosen the right musical instrument, the digital 'keyboard,' and mastered it, and it is a very beneficial exercise for your fingers, which work like acupuncture on your health. Play as long as you live, as it does not require your breathing stamina but helps keep you with healthy moments all the time, just like walking."This is my music life at 70: a journey of passion, persistence, and continuous digital learning, validated by paternal wisdom as the perfect pursuit for longevity and joy.
MB#96: Quiz
MB96: Question: According to the author's father, the finger movement involved in playing the digital keyboard acts like what on one's health?
A. Physiotherapy.
B. Acupuncture.
C. Cardiac exercise.
D. Deep meditation.
MB#96: Quote