"My aim is to reach heights of sublimity"

SHANTI SHARMA has carved out a special place for herself in the world of pure classical music. She has depth in her singing and her stance is immaculate. Endowed with a mellifluous voice which enraptures the listener, her bhajan rendition is a soulful experience which residents of Chandigarh have had the good fortune of experiencing.

As a person, the singer is simple, extremely straight forward and has a reputation with organisers of not being at all money-minded. At home in her flat at Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Delhi, she is like any middle-class housewife, answering queries from children while talking. Calm and serene, Shanti has a quiet dignity about her which is very appealing. Soft-spoken, she opens up in an interview with Belu Maheshwari. Excerpts:

Since you do not come from a family with a background in music, can you tell us about your childhood?

My family hails from Tanjore district which is famous for its paintings, temples and beautiful sarees. My father was in the Army, so we were transferred all over the country. In the family, there was emphasis on education. I have three sisters and a brother, all of whom are into academics. I was good in studies and had won the National Science Talent competition. Most of my schooling was from Kendriya Vidyalayas, wherever my father got posted.

Given such an academic environment, how did you turn out to be the odd person out who took to music?

In our middle-class family, music at best could be a hobby. I also had to complete my studies. I am an M.Sc. in chemistry from B.I.T.s Pillani. Actually, it was my mother who initiated me into music. I started learning music when I was 12 years old and used to love attending music concerts. I learnt music from Guru Sangameshwar in Hyderabad. Even in Pillani, Itook part in all music competitions. As luck would have it, Pandit Amarnathji heard me singing, he was impressed enough to ask me to take up singing on a full-time basis.

How did you break the shackles to chart your own course in the world of music?

I completed my education in 1978. By then I was clear that I wanted to sing, even though my family was against it. I had to face a lot of opposition, badi mushkilat mei time bita. I revolted and decided to make music my vocation. I got support for my decision from a fellow student, who I married in 1983.

The biggest support was from my Guru Amarnathji, an extraordinary man. He took up a job with Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Delhi. First I enrolled as his student, later as his assistant. As I was finding the logistics of staying in Delhi difficult to handle, Sunita Charat Ram and Shobha Deepak Singh, the directors of the Centre, also gave me a place to stay. I used to do all sorts of jobs at the Centre.

Do you ever regret defying your family and leaving a secure academic job?

I am happy I have stuck to music and not given in to the temptation of earning quick bucks by becoming a science teacher. Music, for me, is a vocation. God’s gift, which I humbly accept and nurture.

How do you balance music and your family life?

The act of balancing both these aspects is difficult. Mine is not a nine to five job with Sundays off. In fact, I sincerely believe a dedicated artiste should not marry. A kashmaksh ensues in an artiste’s life and one is never satisfied with the time spent on riyaaz. Though I do not think I could live without my husband, but the fact is because of marriage I have less time for music.

Does the family resent your lack of time for them? Are you able to do justice to your family ?

I believe in destiny. I let God guide me in life and by God’s grace I have overcome obstacles. My in-laws are very supportive. When I go out of Delhi, they look after my daughter and son. An artiste is made by a number of people’s sacrifices and cooperation. When I am in Delhi, I cook. I do not get time to teach the children and they, at times, resent my not devoting as much time to them as they would like. As for hobbies, I love watching old Hindi films, I used to love reading but I do not have the time to do so.

Do you feel today’s youngsters have the same motivation to learning classical music as generations before them did?

There are gifted children, but there is definitely a lack of motivation. They do not feel it is a tapasya. Ninety-five per cent of them learn music because knowing lots of things is fashionable and embellishes the bio-data. I have one student from a humble background, hailing from Bihar, who has both the motivation and dedication. She wants to perfect the art before going on stage. She has the patience to even wait for 15 years. Even if there are a dozen such students in the country, classical music will prosper.

In other art forms, most artistes feel the popularity of the discipline has increased. Do you feel the same about classical music?

The popularity has increased because of T.V. and Spic Macay activities among students. This is, however, restricted to big towns only. A music teacher will not starve. He can survive by giving music lessons. But how many singers are there on the scene who can command an audience?

According to you, what are the qualities that are needed to be a great artiste?

I believe a great artiste is born, not made. You have to be gifted.Your talent can be honed by a good guru, but just lagan is not enough. So many students get their doctorates in music. They know about the technicalities of music but are not great singers. To some extent, visibility is also important. You have to give concerts, or else you will be forgotten.

Are there jealousies and too much competition in your sphere?

Jealousies are everywhere. Healthy competition can be good. Jealousies cannot finish a career because real talent does not go unrecognised. Public relations is very important but then everyone has to lay down their own rules — flashy things are noticed fast, subtlety takes longer to come into focus. Real cut-throat competition comes to the fore when a show to be staged abroad has to be sponsored. There is lot of corruption involved, you need connections in high places.

Do contemporary artistes go for each others’ shows? Who, among the younger lot, do you think are good enough?

Yes, at times we do go for each others’ shows. Rajan-Sajan praised me, Bhim Sen Joshiji was sincere and wholesome in his appreciation. He showed his badapan. Kishori Amonkar was not so fulsome in her praise. When I hear a new artiste, even on AIR, Itake the trouble to find out about them and ring up to say a few words. Among the younger singers, Meeta Pandit is good; so is Mahua Chatterjee and Debi Pandit from Bombay.

Have you ever transgressed from classical to non-classical singing?

I like to listen to all sorts of music, but I have never sung anything but classical. Though I am singing for serials, the base is classical. I am singing for M.S. Sathyu’s Chholi-Daman and Sidharta Basu’s India Quiz. It is an alaap. I will be uncomfortable singing run-of-the-mill film songs, it is like using a surgeon’s scalpel in the kitchen.

What do you feel about the audience response? Do you change your style to suit their tastes?

Ninety-five per cent of the audiences do not understand music. It has become a status symbol to be seen at concerts, so they come. When I had started, I used to be rigid in my approach to singing. Maybe I was not capable of changing my prepared songs on the spot. Now with experience, I have become more flexible. If I feel bhajans will go down well with the audience, I sing more of those. Even in terms of time I can adapt, when needed an alaap can be cut short but I do not tamper with the grammar of the raga. That, I feel, would be a crime. Among a small gathering of connoisseurs of music, I go into the intricacies of classical music. I do vary my depth according to audience taste.

What is your philosophy of life?

Love is the most important thing in life. Then Ek manzil hone chahiye — a life force which takes you ahead. I am a strong traditionalist in singing, I do not believe in fusion. Every gharana has it own dynamics. I believe in gharana. Mine is Kirana gharana of Amir Khan.

What is your manzil?

From childhood onwards, I have thought deeply about fundamental, philosophical things. I am developing a faith that says, I will fulfil my destiny. I would like to delve deeper into various aspects of music. So many changes keep happening in your life, I am still evolving my own music, my manzil is to reach the heights of sublimity in singing.