MEET THE MAESTRO - VIKKU VINAYAKRAM

Like his long-time friend, Zakir Hussain, 'Vikku' Vinayakram is part of a new generation devoted to extending and expanding ancient Indian traditions. Vikku's instrument of choice is the Ghatam; a large clay pot made specifically for use as a percussion instrument. He has played in numerous experimental and avant-garde ensembles. He is probably best known for his tenure in Shakti, a groundbreaking acoustic Jazz / Indian fusion band with guitarist John McLaughlin, Violinist L.Shankar and Zakir Hussain on the Tabla. He has also played under the direction of Zubin Mehta and shared the stage with internationally acclaimed musicians like Herbie Hancock, Peter Gabriel and Larry Corryell. He has won many prestigious awards in India, has many recordings to his credit and is also the author of several books on percussion, in Tamil and English. He has trained many students at his school in Chennai.

It was a hot afternoon, but the blistering heat did not dampen the spirits of 'Vikku' Vinayakram who was extremely forthcoming and receptive to the interview. His enthusiasm and zest for life is indeed infectious. The hall of his school Jaya Ganesh Tala Vidyalaya was spacious with Ghatams and Mridangams kept for the purpose of teaching his students. The walls had huge pictures of Gods and Sri Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Mutt, of whom he is an ardent devotee. Dressed in sparkling white kurta and dhoti he readily answered the questions on his life, and his musical career.

I come from Trichy in Tamil Nadu. My father was a Mridangam and Morsing player. I have five brothers and sisters. One sister is my twin. All of us are musically inclined. Especially my mother's family has more leanings towards music. My maternal uncle was a music director.

My father used to work as a Mridangam artiste in All India Radio. One day when he was travelling by train his hand got jammed in-between the window shutters of the train and he lost his ring finger. Due to this mishap, he could not play the Mridangam. So he decided to play the Morsing. But bad luck prevailed and he lost his job in All India Radio, as the Morsing was not a popular instrument. Since we were a large family, my father found it difficult to support us with his earnings that he got from kutcheries, so he felt that I should learn the Mridangam and support him. My father was my teacher. In those days, not many concerts had the Ghatam as an accompaniment. So my father taught me to play the Ghatam as he felt opportunities would be more.

I was twelve years young. I played the Ghatam for a vidwan V.V.Sadagopan Kuppuswamy at a temple festival in Tutucorin.

I have accompanied many leading musicians like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, G.N.Balasubramanian, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, M.K.Thyagarajan, Flute Mali, Balamurali Krishna, Hari Prasad Chaurasia and V.G.Jog. Among the ladies I have played for M.S.Subbulakshmi, D.K.Pattamal and Sulamangalam Sisters.

In1961, I got a chance to play at the Music Academy for Sri Semmangudi. Smt. M.S.Subbulakshmi, who was in the audience, really liked my performance. After the show, Semmangudi asked me if I was willing to play for M.S as her regular Ghatam accompanist was not going to be around for some time. I agreed immediately . I met MS and she employed me to play for her for three months. It was a great feeling, as I knew that I would get continuous income at least for three months. The profession of an accompanist was very unsteady and we were paid on a per programme basis. I owe a lot to MS I stepped foot into a plane because of her. I got to travel abroad because of her.

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