Santoor master Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma talks to Rohit Revo

“My first love is Indian Classical Music” – PANDIT SHIVKUMAR SHARMA

By admin Sunday July 25, 2010

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Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma’s name is synonymous with santoor, Indian classical music instrument. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma is credited with single-handedly making the santoor a popular classical instrument. Shiv Kumar Sharma modified santoor to make it more suitable for his classical technique. He introduced the new chromatic arrangement of notes and increased the range to cover full three octaves. He also improvised a new technique of playing with which he could sustain notes and maintain sound continuity. Shiv Kumar Sharma brought Santoor at par with other classical instruments, well established it not just all over India, but also across the globe.

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma talks to Rohit Revo on the eve of the Freedom Concert 2010.

Australia is looking forward to having you perform at THE FREEDOM CONCERT 2010, how have your past experiences in Australia been?

I have been visiting Australia for the last 20 years. First time I came in 1980 for the Adelaide Festival, since then I have performed several times and each time I have got bigger audiences who are appreciative of Indian Classical Music

What is going to be the theme of your concert on the eve of India’s Independence Day in Sydney and also in Melbourne?

The Theme of the Concert will be – Freedom comes when there is love, peace and harmony amongst all the people of this globe

A decade back there was a resurgence of interest amongst the youth in traditional musical forms, do you think these people have now moved again in droves to Bollywood music. Especially after the Rahman years youngsters have been attracted to filmi music?

I don’t think we should ever compare film music with traditional classical music. These are two different genre’s of music. Film music has always enjoyed mass following whereas Indian Classical Music has niche audience. The only difference right now is, media is projecting Bollywood Music and not showcasing Indian Classical Music. In the last 40 years followers of Indian Classical Music has increased sharply and organisations like Spic Macay have generated lot of interest amongst the youth for Indian Classical Music

Indian students in Australia had a very tough period last year. Will you be carrying any message for them?

As said earlier, Music crosses the barrier of Religion, Caste and creed. Therefore, Music is known as Universal language and that language gives the message of love, peace and harmony

You have collaborated in Bollywood and created beautiful music which is a pleasure to listen to even after so many years. Tell us about it, and also working closely with Hari Ji?

I don’t like to use the word Bollywood Music which is used for Hindi Film Music. Yes, I enjoy composing Music for films like Silsila, Chandni, Darr, Lamhe etc. alongwith Hariji. It is a very challenging field to compose music for a film where one has to keep in mind the storyline, character and locations. It is a totally different approach from playing Concert on stage. With God’s blessings our Music has been appreciated and is still very popular. But still my first love is Indian Classical Music and will always remain so.

How did you come up with the beautiful music for Silsila movie. While creating the music did you ever think it will be such a big hit?

It is not planned. Music compositions happen by instinct. The method we followed was – first Yash Chopra had explained the whole film story and the situation where songs were to be played. After working on the Music for one month, we met again and within 2-3 days all melodies of the songs were finalised and then the remaining work like getting the lyrics written and orchestration started. By the way Javed Akhtar the well known lyricist wrote film songs for the first time in Silsila as a song writer.

What are your experiences about playing with Western musiciains?

I have performed with the likes of George Harrison of Beatles group, Billy Preston famous keyboard player of that time and later with John Mclaughlin, famous guitarist. It is a big challenge to combine with Musicians of this caliber. I enjoyed the experience.

What message do you have for the Indian community living in Australia?

Indians living in Australia should assimilate with local culture and should not forget our own roots and traditions of more than 3000 years and make local people aware of our culture also.

Your son Rahul had successfully scored music for Bollywood films like Yash Chopras’ Hritik starrer Mujhse Dosti karoge and is one of those few musicians who goes classical, fusion, bollywood and world collaborations.

Are you happy with his progress?

Yes, of course I am very happy and very happy about one aspect i.e. after doing all these genres he has preserved traditions of Indian Classical music. When he performs Indian Classical music he sticks to the traditional way

The Santoor is a folk instrument from the Kashmir valley? Are you satisfied now with the recognition that Santoor has now got world wide.

Santoor is not a folk instrument. It is called as Sufiana Music in which Santoor is used. When, I started playing Santoor nobody had heard or seen the instrument. With the blessings of My Guru and Father, Pt. Uma dutt Sharma, I am very satisfied that today Santoor has become an integral part of Indian Classical Music.