Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life said the German poet Berthold Auerbach. I surely experienced this in the concert of the Violin Virtuoso L.Subramaniam and his son Ambi Subramaniam. These days I read about all the controversies surrounding the carnatic music world. That apart I find that this world is filled with genius prodigies who spread sheer joy wherever they perform . Their art is truly sublime in the truest sense of the word. As we quickly made our way to the almost capacity Chowdiah Memorial hall little did I anticipate what was in store for me. Was in consternation when I knew that L.Subramaniam was an alumni of Madras Medical College and later did his Mastes in Classical Western Music from the University of California. His deceased wife Viji Shankar was actually a renowned musician herself and is the daughter of Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar’s brother. He did the music score for Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay , Mississippi Masala and many more and his wife sang some songs in the movie. His reportoire of work included classical ,carnatic, jazz fusion, indo jazz, western fusion , western music etc.The Padmabhushan awardee and the man often referred to as the God of Indian Violin looked so humble and unassuming. Wait till he takes the violin in hand.. voila he transports you to another world. As he started playing different compositions and ably assisted by his talented son and the other percussionists your musical journey starts too. As the nuances in the various compositions are deftly conquered by this genuis wizard you tend to involuntarily close your eyes , nod your head , tap your feet to the perfect rhythm and your heart and soul is in unison with music . The magic he weaves with the instrument makes you experience the joyful explosion of the mind and you become blissfully unaware of anything around you. This is therapy for the soul in its purest form. Glad the concert gave me this unique feel. Yehudi Menuhin the greatest of violinists said “Nothing is more inspiring than seeing L.Subramaniam make music. I am always left in wonderment “. Now I can comprehend why he said that. Yes one surely is awestruck by his innumerable orchestral , fusion and carnatic compositions. He is behind several world music festivals and has collaborated with several eminent musicians across the world . Despite winning all the highest accolades and innumerable awards that is ever there in his field he had the humbleness to say that music is a vast ocean and no one can claim to know it all. He said the more you know you realise how little you know . What a perfect saying which applies to all disciplines in life. No wonder his humility shows in the effortless ease with which he plays his instrument. His music is truly a fantastic feast to our ears and thoroughly cleanses our soul. An evening which would be etched in my mind forever for his mellifluous rendition and great expertise in his craft. Thanks to corporate sponsors for child cancer care this concert was organised.
