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Music @
Heart |
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An introduction to a young keyboard
artist who coordinates Ragadeepam, a Childrens' music club in Calicut
(Kozhikode).
M. Rajesh,
October 02, 2010 |
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Anand.S. Kanth has set a goal for his
future profession; a software engineer.
However, his heart is always striving
for his passion, music. Practicing from the age of seven, Anand has now
become a young performing artist and an expert on keyboard, with a style of
his own.
Anand inherited music from his father,
Sasikanth. His father has been in the field of music-direction and teaching
since many years.
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Sasikanth had directed music for a
Malayalam movie titled Mahotsavam. Unfortunately this film was not
released.
Sasikant’s contribution to
Ragamalika, a professional music troupe of yester years based at
Kozhikode was immense. There are many famous music directors and singers
in and around Kozhikode and Mangalore who came through this home of
music. This talent pool throws light on veteran playback singers like,
P.Jayachandran, Krishna Chandran and Bhavana Radhakrishnan in Malayalam
film field. Mangalore based music director Guru Kiran Shetty and popular
singer Srikanth Kammath are other artists who were associated with
Ragamalika during their initial years.
L.Sasikant is also the director of
Ragadeepam, a children’s music club. It functions in different parts of
Calicut. Chavara Cultural Centre, Indian Youth Association and
Kalakshethra are some of the major centres associated with Ragadeepam.
Now Ragadeepam has about 60 students from various schools, in Kozhikode. |
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Anand and kids at Ragasandhya |
Ragadeepam is the centre with harmonious
blend of eastern and western music. It helps students to reach new heights
of traditional and modern instrumental music. Here kids realize the power of
magical touch of their fingers. The rhythmic, sharp moves help to reach the
tune of melodies and fast numbers.
When Sasikanth suffered a severe stroke,
Anand had to take the lead role of music teacher. As his father gradually
recovered, Anand joined him with full spirit for an effective
rehabilitation.
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Now Anand is supporting his father
L.Sasikant for teaching young kids the lessons of instrumental music on
the keyboard.
“There is no difficulty to follow
popular tunes and old Malayalam songs. Even small children are quite
familiar with majority of the film songs. They know both evergreen songs
from Bollywood and Malayalam movies, along with the popular numbers from
recently released movies. So training them is an interesting
opportunity”, says Anand.
Recently Anand led the orchestra as
conductor for “Ragasandhya”, a musical concert by kids at Town Hall, in
connection with the 7th anniversary celebration of Ragadeepam,
Kozhikode. In this stage program, Anand led the kids group on digital
keyboard.
Apart from this, Anand has a team of
young musicians and singers with him. They have already launched a
musical band; KUYIL. He wants to make the troop more popular.
During school days, Anand had
composed and directed an audio CD, “The Strings”. It was released in
2007 by the then Kerala Education Minister, M.A.Baby. It is a
Vrindavadyam, by a group of students in Kozhikode.
Based on traditional style, it
blends different types of instruments, played in unison by more than 20
artists simultaneously.
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L.Sasikant |
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music in school youth festivals. He had proved his caliber in painting
as well. “My dream profession is software
engineering. But, I will continue my music practice and performance with
same spirit. I think it’s not so tough to maintain both”, says Anand with a
smile.
Presently Anand is an engineering student
in Computer Science at AWH College, Kozhikode. He completed his
matriculation from St.Josephs Boys High School, Calicut.
“There are many talented kids around us. Schools are also
giving thrust to extra curricular activities like arts and music, than
ever before. So, the number of students aspiring to learn musical
instruments is also increasing. Our professional training will enhance
them to attain proficiency in playing keyboard.
Each year every student of Ragadeepam gets a chance to
perform on stage in public as part of its anniversary celebrations. This
platform helps to boost the confidence of students and it inspires the
beginners, too.
Over years, we groom and gloss their skills as kids
would perform on a keyboard in a recording studio,” says Sasikanth. |
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Anand S. Kanth. |
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- By M. Rajesh for CalicutNet.com |
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