One of the perks of this job I have - meeting the coolest, nicest folks and getting to know them. The talented young artists of the musical group Saptaswar offer us a glimpse into their persona, their passions and the precious ability that they possess.

Venkat Dayanand, the smoothest vocalist, Sumanth Shankar, the wizard on drums, Surya Narayanan who coaxes the most beautiful tunes out of his violin and Indu Sathish , the angel voiced singer talk to me about their dreams, aspirations and appreciation of the gifts that they possess.

1. Saptaswar is evolving as a group that performs for social causes, for the good of the community. As an artist what is your commitment such endeavors and do you think other artists, painters, actors etc, should put their craft to good use?

Sumanth Shankar- It’s always great to put one’s talent to use in promoting charitable events .If one feels the desire to, it’s great. People should do whatever they can within their own capacity to help others. Sometimes people can and sometimes they cannot. I see that there is no be-all, end-all charitable pursuit that and artist should pursue.

Venkat- I’ve been contributing to the needy people in many ways for number of years. Sometimes, it is hard to do any contribution directly and direct contribution may not provide a big help. So being part of an organization like Saptaswar adds more strength to raise fund and awareness for social causes.

SuryaNarayan- It’s a really noble cause that we are doing for. I feel that every artist should devote his talent to some good use at some part of his life. I feel proud that I have got a good opportunity to use my talent and would strive hard to do better.

Indu Sathish- Even as a child, I had always believed in helping the poor and had admired my aunt who is a full time social worker. It gives me a sense of satisfaction and solace that I am able to contribute in a small way for the good of the community. It gives me added pleasure that I am contributing in a way that is most pleasing to me (singing). A quotation goes like this….. “Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven”-Walter Savage Landor. “The essence of all-beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude”-Friedrich Nietzsche.

 The best way to show our gratitude to God is to use music for a good cause…

2. Do you sing/perform with any other musical group?

Sumath- I have an Indian-Western Rock Fusion group as well as another group that covers sixties/Seventies Psychedelic Rock Music.

Venkat- I’m primarily performing with Saptaswar. Before joining Saptaswar,  I used to do sing for New England Tamil Sangam ( NETS) and AIMS cultural academy and other organizations in India, Malaysia and Singapore.

Suryanarayan- I very recently graduated. I couldn’t even think of joining a group while I was a student. Saptaswar (Mohan) approached me first. So I joined this group. I would be glad to join any group that works on a variety of pieces and I would really love to be associated with talented musicians.

Indu- I don’t perform with any other musical group. But I do sing in the Lakshmi Temple in Ashland. (I sing Thevaram and Arunagirinathar’s Thirupugazh   for Pradosham).

3. Do you plan to diversify into other realms /genres like Jazz or Western Rock?

Sumanth- Like I said before I do belong to other groups.

Venkat- Not really.

Personally, I feel Indian Music is a big ocean.

So, I still need to learn a lot in Indian music before getting into other kinds.

Suryanarayan- I have been totally tuned to Carnatic classical music. Its really hard to pick up a Western Rock piece as opposed to a Carnatic piece. But I would like to explore everything within some bounds. For example we performed Bouree on stage with some Indian classical fusion mix. I would love to play more pieces like that, attaching an Indian Carnatic blend to it.

Indu- I don’t believe in being “Jack of all trades but Master of none”, although I agree to the fact that it’s good to have knowledge about different types of music. I would like to stick to light music and south Indian classical music (Carnatic) and may be learn Flute (which gives me ecstatic happiness).

4. By singing mostly Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi (and Telugu?) songs,  are you not missing out an entire demographic that does exist in the area?

Sumanth –Not at all. It is not realistic to cover all bases when one is a professional by day and an artist in one’s free time.

Venkat- Sometimes. I’ve not seen many opportunities to sing those songs.I’m ready to sing in any language, if there is an opportunity and of course music.

Indu- I have always had flair for Languages. Although my mother tongue is Tamil, I leant to speak, Malayalam very fluently. I also speak other Indian languages like Hindi and Kannada. Since, I have learnt Carnatic music and Thyagaraja’s compositions are in Telugu, I don’t have problem pronouncing Telugu.  Coming to the US has given me a chance to mingle with people from different parts of India and a great opportunity to explore other languages as well. No matter what language we are singing, as long as it sounds good, it’s music. It gives exulting joy to me, when people from other languages tell, that I sang that language perfectly with good pronunciation. Given a chance, I would love to sing in other languages also.

5. Have you had formal training in music? 

Sumath-No, none at all.

Venkat- No.  I learned songs and music by listening to them since I was 5 years old.

I’m a strong believer in a formal training, so I am in the process of learning both Karnatic and Hindustani Classical Music.

Suryanarayan- Absolutely. I got a wonderful training for 10 years from Dhanapathy. I am in this position today because of him. Then I learnt from N.V.Subramaniam for about 1 year. Then my Dad started teaching me for around 3 years. He used to listen to Cassettes, learn the song and would then teach me when I came back from school or work.

Indu- I had formal training in Carnatic Music for more than 13 years and Bharathanatyam when I was young. I started learning Carnatic vocal music from Mrs.Muthulakshmi at the age of 5 and when I was 17, I had some intensive training in music for 3 years from Lalgudi, Srimathi Padmavathy Ananthagopalan in Chennai, in a music school called Sri Satguru Sangita Vidyalaya where I also learnt some theory of Classical Music.

6. What music do you enjoy listening to? Your favorite genre artist, director?

Sumanth- Progressive Rock and Roll, Rock/Raga/Classical fusions.

Venkat- I don’t have any particular choice. Personally it is hard for me to classify/divide the music. Since, music is a form of a sound/NADHAM, I don’t see “how it is produced”,  “who is giving”, “what kind”,  “what instrument”, etc, I simply like to listen to music “if it is good”. All the “good” music directors and singers are my favorites.

Indu-    I predominantly listen to Indian film music (Tamil and Hindi) and south Indian Carnatic music. .  Apart from this I also listen to mild form of western music (Country, Blues, music from Romantic and Classical period and love listening to Gospel music). My favorite artist is S.P. Balasubramaniam.

7. What inspires you as an artist?

Kumar- A need to create, discover and express. 

Sumanth-Everything, what is there not to be inspired by?

Venkat- There are three reasons that made me a singer/artist .I love singing, I want to be a play back/popular singer  and Music always entertains people

Suryanarayan- I started violin as a hobby. My mother wanted me to learn some instrumental music. She started it. At no point of time did I ever imagine of taking it to the stage. I had a passion for attending competitions and getting prizes. Then I started playing concerts. Playing violin is fun. I would always love to pursue it, try variations and do something innovative.

Indu- My parent’s efforts, my husband’s encouragement and appreciation I receive from my friends inspires me to take music seriously and pursue learning and devote more time for Music.

8. Do you plan to release an album with original (or cover) music? Are you interested in composing/directing?

Sumanth- Yes, I am always active with my other two projects in Recording/Producing original material, specifically.

Venkat- No. It is not my line. Since my interest is mainly singing, I like to focus only in that area.

Suryanarayan-  Not now. Releasing albums requires lot of practice, expertise and “perfection”. I would do that only when I feel that I am perfect enough to release one.

Indu- Not interested in directing or composing, but would love to make an album later.

9. If you were given a chance to chuck you regular job and pursue music full  time, would you take it?

Sumath-A difficult question to answer!

Venkat- Yes. I’m waiting for that!   I know I’ll enjoy that more than my current computer job.

Suryanarayan- As I mentioned earlier, violin is only a hobby for me. I play it for fun and enjoyment. But music is always an avocation for me. I may not consider it as a primary profession.

Indu- I wanted to take B.A. in Music and wanted to do it full time. But I was not sure of making a career out of it and was forced to take Biochemistry. I would like to have my own career in the subject I have studied, but at the same time, do as much as I can for Music.

 10. And finally, can other Indian organizations doing charity work in the area contact you for performances?

Sumanth- Sure!

Venkat- Yes, absolutely.

Suryanarayan- Yes. Performing for a noble cause - This can be done through any organization. But I like playing with the Saptaswar group. Its well organized and there are a bunch of very talented musicians here. Its really good to be there.

Indu- I am just a small part of Saptaswar and I would like to go by the troupe’s decisions.

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