Balaswami Dikshitar (1786-1859), brother of Muthuswami Dikshitar introduced violin into carnatic music.He was patronised by Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar, interpreter to the British Governor, Pigot. Introduced by Mudaliar to Western music at a performance of the European orchestra (or band as it was called), attached to the East India Company, Balaswami trained for three years on the violin. Balaswami is credited with having changed the mode of playing to better suit Indian music.

It was interesting that Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijaylakshmi attempted to teach a Kriti written by Muthuswamy Dikhshitar, brother of Balaswami, to violinists trained in the western tradition. Balaswami had changed the playing position and tuning of the violin to allow Carnatic musicians to sit on the floor and play rather than stand or sit on a chair as is the western tradition. The modified violin has occupied a pride of place in Carnatic music. Now the question is could western violinists take a Dikhshitar Krithi and adapt it to play with their western technique?

The question was uppermost on people’s mind as the Lalgudi Duo tried to teach Sri Parthasarathy in Suddha Danyasi Ragam to western classical musicians. The event began with an explanation of the various Carnatic music elements. In a few minutes, to the delight of the musicians, Lalgudi asked everyone to take out their instruments and get ready to play. Jody Harmon, a western classical musician had transcribed the Kriti into sheet music notation. First they were taught to play the Kriti without any Gamakams. This went very well. It was a treat to listen to several violins and flutes play the Krithi. They were very well synchronized.

The teachers then began to teach the concept of Gamakams. This proved to be a little bit of a challenge since there is no easy way to transcribe the Gamakams into sheet music. But with a few tries the students eased into the groove and were able to experiment with the new musical idea of Gamakams. As a finale Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi sang the Kriti accompanied by Lalgudi GJR and the western violinists and flutists, along with New England’s Mridangam vidwan Mali on the Mridangam. The event was held in a Church Hall in Westford, MA and the music that resonated was certainly spiritual.

“I am so impressed with the speed with which you have learnt this Krithi,” said Lalgudi GJR. “Even if ten percent of you take serious interest in Carnatic music I will feel successful”. If we can eat South Indian food with fork and a spoon can we not at least try to play Carnatic music on instruments played in the western classical fashion? The event clearly indicated that it is not only worth trying but could be a fun and satisfying experience as well.

|