Staying connected through music

Siddhartha J, 13-year-old Carnatic vocalist and NRI, staged his maiden performance in Hyderabad at a concert organised by Tarang

Arundhuti Banerjee

In his very first performance in the city of Nizams, Siddhartha J, an NRI, mesmerised the audience at Saptaparni, Banjara Hills. The performance made them realize that classical music is the best way to stay connected with one’s culture, traditions and moorings. The Carnatic vocal concert was arranged by Tarang, a non-profit organisation that promotes Indian classical music by providing a platform to the young generation across the country.

Little Siddhartha, who has been practicing the music form for several years, came to India about a year back. “I was born and brought up in the US. But, thanks to my parents, I have been familiar with our Indian culture and tradition since childhood,” said the singer, who is learning Carnatic classical from Seetha Lakshmi, a disciple of legendary Semmengudi Srinivasa Iyer.

The multi-lingual performance of Siddhartha started with a ‘Kriti’ on Lord Ganapati, followed by Lavanya Ramakannu, a Tygaraya composition, Pamara Hana Palini (Sanskrit) by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Appan Avadarita (Tamil) in Kharahara Priya, Visalakshim in Panuvarali, Shrilakshmi Varaham in raga Abhogi and many more traditional compositions. He spread musical joy with Hamshanandi Tilana and concluded the recital with Visveswara Darisana in Hindi.

Apart from learning music, he has cultivated writing as a hobby, having worked as a reporter covering musical events and lecture demonstration of music academy for Sruti magazine. He is also fluent in Sanskrit. Although there have been changes in his voice pattern attributed to his coming of age, his control over pitch and rhythm, practice sessions, and proven knowledge of ragas suggest that he has immense potential to be a future star.

As a student of music, he is aware of his responsibility to carry forward the tradition of Carnatic vocal music. “I think I am too young to talk about responsibility as I enjoy my music while performing. I do not have any parental pressure; rather I am practicing music due to my own passion and interest. Yes, I do feel a sense of responsibility at the back of my mind.”