Living in tune with music
EFORE he was even born, Kirthan Pillay was exposed to the world of music, which has intrigued him all the way through his teenage years.
“My mom’s a great story teller and according to her, appa (dad Karthiegasen) used to recite the mridangam sollukaatus (notes) to me while I was in her tummy and I’d retaliate by kicking.
“As a baby, I grew up sleeping in a carry cot on stage while my mom and dad performed.”
The 17-year-old matric pupil at Crawford College North Coast made his debut playing the tabla at the age of 3 at his Montessori Pre-School concert, in Gauteng.
He has since made great strides and plays the tabla, mridangam, djembe and cajón among other instruments.
Kirthan attended the Palghat Raghu School of Mridangam and travels every December to Chennai to take lessons from Sri Trivandrum Balaji, a senior disciple from the Palghat Raghu School of Music.
But despite all his training, Kirthan cites his father, who runs the Karthiegasen Pillay School of Music, as his true music mentor.
The duo have earned the name of Little K and Big K.
“My dad is my everything – my god, my father, my teacher, my friend, my life. And we have our disagreements too. Like every other father and son,” the young man told POST.
“If you were to listen to me play, with your eyes closed, it would be immediately evident that I have imbibed the musical approach and values from my dad and guru Karthiegasen Pillay, with a nearly identical style.”
He said music had taken him the length and breadth of South Africa, as well as to India, London, Germany, Mauritius, Reunion, Zambia and Botswana.
“I have met people from different cultures who are intrigued by my drumming.
“I love travelling, however, my favourite performances are at home in our music room with my dad.”
For Kirthan nothing is better than Indian classical music.
“It’s intricate and absolutely mathematical. Its sophisticated rhythmic patterns are based on different time measures, and that is what has intrigued me and what creates challenges as I progress in my daily practice.
“I sometimes wonder whether there is an end. No… there is no end. Music is a vast ocean. The learning never stops.”
In 2014, Kirthan had the opportunity of visiting the grandson of Sri Palghat Raghu, Abhishek Raghuram.
“I had the honour and pleasure of playing midrange with him.
“A few days later the Palghat Raghu School of Mridangam awarded me with a drum that was owned and played by Sri Palghat Raghu himself.”
Sri Jayendran Moodley of the Umayalpuram Sivaraman School of Mridangam also gave him a mridangam, which was owned by his guru.
Kirthan is an only child and admits to being “spoilt rotten” by his parents.
“My mom… Don’t think I have one. Vanessa only brought me into this world. She was my mom for the first couple years before we became best friends.
“We shop together, go out together and even fight together. She’s my rock, my go-to person in time of need. I can tell her anything and everything.
“I can do whatever I like to her… and she forgives me… eventually.”
Keeping a balance between school and music has not been easy for him.
“Music takes up most of my time. I try to fit in a game of soccer at the football courts up the road from home and watch TV or spend time with my cousins.”
While his passion for music is evident, Kirthan hopes to pursue a career in business science.
Purtassi is his favourite month on the Tamil calender.
As it is dedicated to Lord Venketeswara, the Manning Place Srinivasa Emperumal Temple, in conjunction with the Music Trinity Association of South Africa, will be holding a grand music festival tonight (Wednesday) in praise of Lord Venketeswara, he said.
“I have the great honour of performing alongside two world-renowned artists, Dr Kanaada Narahari and my dad.
“Dr Kanaada is an exponent of the sitar. He usually uses tabla accompaniment, but for the first time has requested that I accompany him on the mridangam. I’m deeply honoured.”
Reflecting on September being Heritage Month, Kirthan said culture was a personal identity.
“Belonging to a culture provides me with an easier way to connect with others who share the same mindset and values.
“From Ballito to London or Germany, our culture offers us a chance to connect and share our history.”