Why generations of Carnatic artistes see RK Shriramkumar’s violin as an indispensable ally on stage
One of the most sought-after Carnatic violin accompanists, Shriramkumar has the ability to make the instrument sing, almost like a second voice on stage.
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Getting RK Shriramkumar to talk about his creative feats is like pulling teeth. With a bashful grin, the Carnatic violinist protests that it is nothing really. The credit roll of those to whom he attributes his brilliance is long – the great gurus, savant composers, inspired mentors, generous collaborators and an impressive family legacy. The only one not on it is Shriramkumar himself.
“I have learnt under the greatest of teachers and played for the greatest of musicians and I learnt from each one of them,” is all he will say. But ask his admirers, and there are legions of them especially among the young, and they will gladly list his considerable and varied triumphs.
Shriramkumar is currently one of the most sought-after Carnatic violin accompanists: for many artistes, he is a supportive ally who they must have by their side on the stage. His violin sings, almost like a second voice on the stage. He is a passionate scholar who has thought through the minutiae of his art and whose painstakingly constructed lecture demonstrations are a huge draw. His warm home in T Nagar in Chennai is so overrun with aspiring vocalists and violinists seeking his teaching that there are jokes about it.
And yet...
