With a vision to make Carnatic music as universal as Yoga, and a passion for almost all musical forms, Prasanna the young Guitar maestro has taken the Carnatic and Western music circles by storm. Firmly grounded in tradition and yet extending its scope, he has gained worldwide acceptance and fame for his expertise in performing the carnatic music on the electric guitar. He has received rich encomiums from the doyens of Carnatic music. He has given several concerts in prestigious sabhas in Chennai. Prasanna is the only classical musician from India who has top credentials as a guitarist/composer in jazz, blues and rock. His original style of composition and guitar playing, which marries his intensely personal Indian classical vocabulary with jazz and other western music, has earned praise from critics, musicians and audiences alike. As a composer of western classical music, Prasanna has written works for string quartets, woodwind quintets, solo piano, contemporary dance theatre etc.

I met Prasanna is his condo on Gainsborough street in Boston where he lives with his wife Shalini. A simple and unassuming couple they extended a warm welcome to me. Even though Prasanna had just returned from a long rehearsal and Shalini from her day at work, there was no sign of fatigue as they talked with overwhelming enthusiasm about their passion for music. Both were extremely articulate and we spent nearly three hours chatting. Here are some excerpts from that conversation.

Lokvani: What made you decide to play Carnatic music on the guitar?

Prasanna: As a child I was fascinated by various kinds of music. I used to love western music and also Indian film music. One day I bought a guitar. My sister was learning Veena from Thiruvarur Balasubramanium.I was able to copy all the songs she learnt very easily on my Guitar. My mother saw my talent and requested the teacher to teach me Carnatic music. After a great deal of resistance he agreed and within a few months I was performing at a professional level. Later I had extensive training under Violin maestro Kanyakumari. The doyens of Carnatic music like Dr. Balamurali Krishna attended my first concert at Music Academy and I received rich encomiums from everyone. I guess the rest is history.

Lokvani: Despite your musical talents, why did you decide to go through the IIT entrance exam and get a degree in engineering? What was the IIT experience like for you?

Prasanna: Well I never planned on a career in music. I liked math and science and hence decided to go IIT. But even while I was studying at IIT I was giving professional concerts in Madras. I loved rock music as well. For competitions in the youth festivals I used to compose music rather than copy other people’s pieces. But I was always in awe of people who did extremely well at IIT. I once asked a friend how he managed to get the 20th rank in JEE to which he replied “well how do you play so amazingly well on the Guitar”? I guess music always came easy to me and hence I never realized what I had for a long time.

Lokvani:You were having a great career as a Carnatic musician while working as a software engineer in '94 and yet you decided to quit everything and come to Berklee School of music to learn western music. What prompted you to do that?

Prasanna: I think the most important aspect for understanding a musical form is that you need to have a feel for the culture that it comes from. You must understand its roots. You must also associate with the great musicians in that genre of music. Chennai was the right place for Carnatic music but if I had to get a feel for western music I knew I had to come here. There were some western guitarists that I respected a lot and they were at the Berklee School of Music. So I decided to come here.

Lokvani: What is fusion music and what motivates you to do it?

Prasanna: I really use the word only because I have no other way to define my music. Carnatic music has lived in isolation for centuries and retained its pristine glory. But I think it is a beautiful form that needs exposure. I would like to see it become Universal like Yoga. No one really thinks of Yoga as Indian. It is just a useful tool for all. For me the way to take the music to non-Carnatic musicians is to present it within a framework that is familiar to them. I also believe my work is a two-way street. I was able to present a jazz concert in Music Academy in Chennai and reach out to “Mamas and Mamis” who were not familiar with the art form. But the real motivation for me is the fact that I love all forms of music and I just love making good music.

Lokvani: Do you think “fusion” music needs a certain skill level in both forms of music?

Prasanna: I think often musicians take up fusion because they feel inadequate in their native music form. I do not mind it so long as they learn the other form of music. Often people who know one form of music think they know another form ‘because of the Universal nature of music” and that is a fallacy. Before you play another form of music you must try to understand it. If it is not part of your culture a systematic study is in order.

Lokvani: What do you think is your greatest achievement?

Prasanna: Well I had many great idols in the world of music, be it film, classical or western. I am so happy that my idols like Illyaraja have now become my peers. I really enjoy working with great musicians for it brings such joy.

Lokvani: Advice for other aspiring musicians?

Prasanna: Always aim high even if you do not know how to get there. Never become complacent with your achievements. When I went back to India after my training in Berkelee I was having a great career. I was working with best artists in the world of film and Carnatic music. But I think all the praise I received was camouflaging me and I felt I was not progressing musically. This is when I decided to quit and come back to the US. I would also recommend everyone to respect all forms of music. Most of all it is important to be honest about your presentation.

Lokvani: How did you meet your wife and what is it like to be collaborating with her?

Prasanna: Shalini and I have very similar backgrounds. She is from IIT Madras. She is the daughter of a very talented Carnatic musician but while she is trained in Carnatic music, she used to play for the rock band at IIT. I met her at a rehearsal. It is great to work together.

Lokvani: Thankyou so much for your time.

Prasanna & Shalini : The pleasure is ours.

At the end of the interview Prasanna played a few selections from his CD ‘Peaceful’. Shalini’s vocals along with Prasanna’s superb music make this a CD worth listening to.

I think we will hear a lot from this New Englander who is sure to change the landscape of any music that he touches with his magic guitar. Lokvani wishes him the very best of luck.

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