THEIR MUSICAL MEMOIRS
On World Music Day, young musicians from Delhi tell us their pitch perfect stories
SANJEETA BHATTACHARYA
Sanjeeta started learning Hindustani classical vocals at age five. “My parents made me practice every day. When I was in class 10, I went for Berkley’s summer programme — the turning point of my life,” she says. Any annoying habit of people in the audience “When people talk over the music. Talking is ok but not so loud!”
DHRUV VISVANATH
The 25-year-old geography major is an acoustic guitarist. “I always wanted to do music, everything else was a distraction,” he says. The self-taught guitarist was 13 when he picked up the instrument. “I don’t like it when people disrespect someone on stage. They’ll come right up and interrupt the performance. But this is not to say that everybody is like this,” he says.
AYAAN ALI KHAN
“I was fortunate to be born in a house where music wasn’t a profession, but a way of life,” says the sarod maven, son of maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. “My father said: Do your best and the best will come to you, be humble and work hard, and, have patience and tolerance. It’s important for the audience to be a part of your musical journey.”
KAMAKSHI KHANNA
Singer Kamakshi Khanna was 13 when her voice was discovered in school. She likes singers Lianne La Havas and Sara Bareilles, but her all-time favourite is AR Rahman. Experience of performing in Delhi? “You don’t know what to expect. You should give your best, and people will surprise you. I’ve also had situations where people yell. So, the audience and the performer have to work together.”
RISHABH SEEN
A third generation Hindustani classical musician, Seen’s inspirations range from Zakir Hussain to Dave Grohl. “I was around seven when I started learning vocals, then the tabla, and after that, the sitar.” The 20-year-old, who plays rock music on the sitar says, “I wanted to bring attention to a traditional instrument and wanted to make classical cool.”
KAVYA TREHAN
Singing, playing the guitar and composing is what Kavya excels in and at 14, she realised music was her calling. “Music has been an honest expression of myself. It makes me feel like I don’t have to pretend,” she says. Kavya credits her passion to her school. “It taught me to have individuality. Everyone in school supported me. It was a natural progression.”