Aparna Balaji has has been training since 1985 primarily from her grandfather Sangeetha Bhushan Shri O.V. Subramaniam. She has received further training for four years from Isai Peroli Neyveli and Shri R. Santanagopalan. Lately, she has been learning from Sitha Lakshmi, daughter of Kittamani Bhagavatar and from her father Shri O.S. Thiyagarajan. Aparna has received in India numerous prizes and recognition for her musical talents. She is a graded artist of All India Radio, Chennai. She has performed extensively in music sessions in Chennai and given many concerts in other cities in India and the USA. She has also performed on Jaya TV and Sun TV. She has provided playback singing for the TV serial "Kaiyalavu Manasu" and for the movie "Bharathi". She has released an album for Kalavardhani (1999) and another album "Tribute to Trinity" for MediaDreams(2000)

You started music at an early age.  What age should a child be introduced to music?

My grandfather always says it depends on each individual. Although he says
the preferred age is 7, there are some kids who are musically inclined even
at the age of 5. In my opinion and experience I think it will be better for
the student as well as the teacher to start at the age of 7. The kids get
more serious , more mature and have better understanding capacity.

What has been your experience teaching music to children in the US?
I started teaching when I was in my 11th grade. After four and half years
of teaching experience I came to the US. But it was a fresh start. I have
evolved as a music teacher in the US. In the beginning I was following the
old techniques that is used in India.  Then I figured out that it’s a little
different here. We all learn and try to adapt. Teaching in the US has been a
great pleasure and has also helped me grow musically. Patience does pay. I
was then introduced to LearnQuest Academy of Music , by Smt. Durga
Krishnan. I now teach at LearnQuest, Acton.

How did it feel to grow up in a family with music greats such as your
father ?

I had musicians everywhere I looked in my family. Starting from my father's
father  Sangeetha Bhushanam Shri.O.V.Subramaniam, my father , all of my
father's brothers O.S Sunder, Late O.S.Sridhar, O.S.Arun,my father's only sister Smt.Padmavathy Natesan, and  all my cousins sing very well. They all are very good musicians.  My father has been a great role model in my life. I
have always felt that I should sing like him. Kids of such great artistes
have the pressure to prove. My father has always been my inspiration so I aspire towards it in my music . I have heard a lot of people say that they get reminded of my father and O.S Arun when they listen to me. My father has practiced for hours together with his friends. Practice makes a man perfect, and I saw that in my father.

 Tell us about your school Abyaas ? When did you start it, how many
students etc ?

I came to the US in March 2000. I started teaching a few students from
August 2000. Then I saw more and more people interested in learning carnatic music and so I registerd my school under the name 'Abhyaas'. Abhyaas means practice. Now I have about 50 students in Abhyaas. I also teach at LearnQuest , Acton, MA. I have about 20 students there.

Please give us a background on your annual event with your students?

My father visited me last year. I thought it will be nice to start something
like an 'Annual Day' for all the students and also wanted to do it when my
father was here. So I arranged for one such event last June. I  made my
students sing and invited all the families from my school. It gave a lot of
confidence for the kids and also the parents could see how they do when it
comes to performing.  It turned out to be a wonderful event. So I started
working on something similar this year and it turned out to be even more
successful. With the co-operation from the parents and the students, the
program was a big hit. Students get a sense of achievement and I feel this
is the best way to motivate them. They have something to look forward to.

Share with us one your favorite concerts?

It was during Ramanavami season in the year 1996, when I got an opportunity to sing at 'Ayodhya Mandapam Ramanavmi Celebrations'The moment I started singing the song 'Bhavayami Raghuramam'  I got a big round of applause and a standing ovation followed after the song. I was extremely happy and felt so good. That particular concert is evergreen in my memory. A lot of people came up to me and said I sang just like my father. That concert was like a 'jump start' in my music career.

Who do you admire and respect in the carnatic music tradition?

I have always admired the great, the one and only M.S.Subhalakshmi. There
are a lot of stalwarts in the world of music, but M.S.S is someone who has
been a trendsetter to the female musicans.  You can see the hard work in
her rendition. There is so much clarity, and there is no compromise in Shruthi
or Bhava. One can keep listening to her through out  the day. She has
captured so many hearts with her divine music.

One last question ? Tell us about your family and your hobbies ?

My husband plays a vital role in my carreer. He is the greatest critic I can ever have,as his ears are tuned only to stalwarts in Carnatic Music, and that gives me a lot of scope for improvement and learning more. He has been very supportive for all my classes and concerts in and around US.
My in-laws try to attend all my concerts. They are very interested in
carnatic music and they encourage me in every way possible.  My daughter has been very patient since she was 4 months old. She is now 5 years. She sits quietly and watches me when I give lessons. I owe a lot to my family.

Other than music I am interested in arts and crafts, just to keep myself
occupied , I try acrylic painting  I feel they are a good let-out for me. I
like to try new dishes when it comes to cooking.

|