People have different opinions and perspectives about Awards. Some believe that it is a lobbied affair, others believe it goes to the less deserving, few others believe it is a commercial business. But Awards are important, they play a significant role in the life of the winner, it has a motivating and uplifting ability beyond the cynics and above, is a tribute to the very deserving individual and group as a recognition of their work and passion. Government of Karnataka through the Sangeetha Natak Academy announced its 2018 winners with great aplomb. ANANYA celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of every artist, is humbled by their perseverance and commitment to art. We wish many more milestones and success to Shri Dr Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, Shri D S Venugopal and Shri Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma.
SHRI ANOOR ANANTHA KRISHNA SHARMA
Aparna Shivapura in conversation with musical legend, Winner Karnataka Kalashree Award and a mind-blowing personality!
A SELFLESS WINNER, A BORN WINNER
Shri Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma is a winner by birth, winning runs in his soul, and winning does not matter, for he is beyond ordinary realm and at a far higher plane, a place where we might take multiple lifetimes to reach. Whenever he is asked about awards, felicitations and spotlights, he shies away! He prefers to let his talent do the talking and above all, continues to believe that in the ocean called music, one will require many lives to get to any place of familiarity as there is so much to know, so much to learn and experience.
WHY WINNING IS IMPORTANT
When people like Shri Anoor wins big, it is important for the music fraternity more than for him, personally. An inexplicable aura, a sense of tranquility, a fine sense of humor and great warmth is filled in his soul and one smile is enough for you to know that his humility transcends all awards and felicitations. But the combination in his personality is critical and a great teacher for the next-gen musicians. Uncompromising talent, unflinching attitude towards musical perfection and a belief that the journey has only begun makes for a great lesson, where the journey is more important than chasing commercial dreams in the world of art! And hence, such artists who have dedicated their lives to music need to be recognized and felicitated for the world to learn.
Rediscover yourself in the world of music
Shri Anoor’s magnanimity comes from his excellence, his infinite passion for music and an inherent inability to compromise with good quality music, not now as an achiever but ever since he could spell music. There is a strange and enigmatic comfort within himself when I say the word, ‘music.’ As if he is one with music, they are into each other, integrated like one unit. Because when I ask him to describe music, he says, it is peace, satisfaction, harmony, melody, rhythm, science, mathematics and everything put together. His experience and wisdom can only bring in such a comprehensive definition and understanding of the art. And as a musician, he says, “It’s the breath of life.”
Music par excellence
Shri Anoor is a musician who firmly believes that he cannot give in to any kind of populism or commercialization, dilution of art. There are some composers who do suffer pressures from the teams to produce a certain populistic variety. In classical however the composition is purely a creative and an aesthetic process. But composing gives a creative zest, energy and satisfaction since this art comes to him spontaneously.
The master says with perfection that practice is important. Not only important for musicians but critical because early years of good practice builds a strong foundation for the future as good musicians. It also allows you to innovate and create new forms from the strong knowledge base built through practice. “Love your music and it will love you back and stay with you always.”
A great teacher
One can talk to non-musicians, artists, co-artists, accompanying artists, other veterans in the filed and all his students, one does recognize a ‘great teacher’ in him from a distance. A passionate musician and an even greater and more perseverant teacher, Shri Anoor has trained and created many more serious musicians in his lifetime. He is one selfless musician who believes that the word of music must spread far and wide, an artist who learns must also teach, and it is also an artist’s responsibility to teach music.
As an adviser to the younger generation, he says they need to keep the focus and filter themselves out of the glamour quotient toward serious music. Today there are lot more opportunities and platforms available compared to earlier days. However, there is still a dearth of platforms for classical music.
Rare Musician, passionate artist!
He operates in a musical zone far beyond words. He lives in a different world and is driven by difficult goals, that require passion, perseverance and passion to achieve. There is no space for words, there is little time for conversation, it is a different world – of rhythms, beats and patterns of music for Shri Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma. It is an honor for our state that he has been selected as Karnataka Kalashree. It is a privilege to be associated with him in anyway, even as an ardent listener, as a silent fan and admirer. Our best wishes to you for your future, Sir.
PROFILE
Anantha Krishna Sharma (Shivu as he is popularly known) was born in Bangalore, a city with rich cultural heritage, to a family of musicians. He is considered as an eminent percussionist (mridangam) in the whole of India. His father late Vidwan Anoor S. Ramakrishna was a well-known violinist, and an eminent teacher too in the Dept. of Music of Bangalore University. He was initiated in Mridangam by vidwan R. A. Rajagopal, who is a highly accomplished Mridangam / Ghatam artist and a senior staff of All India Radio, Bangalore.
Drawing on his long concert career from an early age of fifteen and a number of significant encounters with other great musicians, Anantha Krishna Sharma is known for his own style.
Anantha Krishna Sharma has performed in all the leading sabhas in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, all over India, and Anantha Krishna Sharma besides being a Mridangam artist also can play other percussion instruments like Tabla, Thavil and others with the same felicity and with ease. He has composed music for Ballet Dance and Films. His compositions have been regarded as highly imaginative and they encompass an amazing complexity and intricacy of rhythm blended in the musical notes.
Started at the age of 15, as a performing artiste and performed in all the leading Sangeetha Sabhas in Bangalore, Chennai and all over India.
As an accompanying artist, accompanied many senior and young talented musicians, which includes vidwans like R.K.Srikantan, Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, M.L. Vasantha Kumari, Sanjay Subrahmanyam, Unnikrishna, T.M. Krishna, Maharajapuram Santanam, M.S.Sheela, Sudha Raghunathan, Bombay Jayashree, M.S.Gopalakrisnan, T.N.Krishnan, N. Ramani, B.N.Suresh, Dr. Doraiswamy Iyengar, Ravi Kiran, U. Srinivas, Kadri Gopalanath and many more.
Overseas Visits :
•Traveled extensively to European countries Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland.
•Toured all over USA several times.
•Toured United Kingdom and Belgium for the East-West fusion with Strings of Gufia (London) and
•Led a percussion Group to Hanover for a performance.
Merits & Awards :
•Awarded “Best Mridangam Artist” in 1981 by Gayana Samaja
•“Laya Kala Prathibhamani” Title awarded by Percussive Arts Centre
•Awarded “Best Mridangam Artist” in 1996 from Madras Music Academy
Other Accomplishments :
•Well Conversant with other percussion instruments such as Dolu (Thavil), Tabla, Pakhawaj and even a good Vocalist.
•Talent has been tapped for other non-classical forms of music like light music, film music, folk and devotional, even for ballet and audio cassettes and CD’s.
•Composed music for balled titled “Kaishika” which was staged in UK in February 1995.
•Composed music and intricate patterns which blend with the compositions for an ensemble for Percussive Arts Centre
•Composed rhythmic patterns for an ensemble of Sri Ayyanar College of Music, LayaLahari.
•Imparting training to many students, who are in various stages of their career with some of them budding to matured and popular artists.
•Many recordings to the credit and with other musicians in a supporting role and as composer.
People have different opinions and perspectives about Awards. Some believe that it is a lobbied affair, others believe it goes to the less deserving, few others believe it is a commercial business. But Awards are important, they play a significant role in the life of the winner, it has a motivating and uplifting ability beyond the cynics and above, is a tribute to the very deserving individual and group as a recognition of their work and passion. Government of Karnataka through the Sangeetha Natak Academy announced its 2018 winners with great aplomb. ANANYA celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of every artist, is humbled by their perseverance and commitment to art. We wish many more milestones and success to Shri Dr Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, Shri D S Venugopal and Shri Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma.
SHRI ANOOR ANANTHA KRISHNA SHARMA
Aparna Shivapura in conversation with musical legend, Winner Karnataka Kalashree Award and a mind-blowing personality!
A SELFLESS WINNER, A BORN WINNER
Shri Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma is a winner by birth, winning runs in his soul, and winning does not matter, for he is beyond ordinary realm and at a far higher plane, a place where we might take multiple lifetimes to reach. Whenever he is asked about awards, felicitations and spotlights, he shies away! He prefers to let his talent do the talking and above all, continues to believe that in the ocean called music, one will require many lives to get to any place of familiarity as there is so much to know, so much to learn and experience.
WHY WINNING IS IMPORTANT
When people like Shri Anoor wins big, it is important for the music fraternity more than for him, personally. An inexplicable aura, a sense of tranquility, a fine sense of humor and great warmth is filled in his soul and one smile is enough for you to know that his humility transcends all awards and felicitations. But the combination in his personality is critical and a great teacher for the next-gen musicians. Uncompromising talent, unflinching attitude towards musical perfection and a belief that the journey has only begun makes for a great lesson, where the journey is more important than chasing commercial dreams in the world of art! And hence, such artists who have dedicated their lives to music need to be recognized and felicitated for the world to learn.
Rediscover yourself in the world of music
Shri Anoor’s magnanimity comes from his excellence, his infinite passion for music and an inherent inability to compromise with good quality music, not now as an achiever but ever since he could spell music. There is a strange and enigmatic comfort within himself when I say the word, ‘music.’ As if he is one with music, they are into each other, integrated like one unit. Because when I ask him to describe music, he says, it is peace, satisfaction, harmony, melody, rhythm, science, mathematics and everything put together. His experience and wisdom can only bring in such a comprehensive definition and understanding of the art. And as a musician, he says, “It’s the breath of life.”
Music par excellence
Shri Anoor is a musician who firmly believes that he cannot give in to any kind of populism or commercialization, dilution of art. There are some composers who do suffer pressures from the teams to produce a certain populistic variety. In classical however the composition is purely a creative and an aesthetic process. But composing gives a creative zest, energy and satisfaction since this art comes to him spontaneously.
The master says with perfection that practice is important. Not only important for musicians but critical because early years of good practice builds a strong foundation for the future as good musicians. It also allows you to innovate and create new forms from the strong knowledge base built through practice. “Love your music and it will love you back and stay with you always.”
A great teacher
One can talk to non-musicians, artists, co-artists, accompanying artists, other veterans in the filed and all his students, one does recognize a ‘great teacher’ in him from a distance. A passionate musician and an even greater and more perseverant teacher, Shri Anoor has trained and created many more serious musicians in his lifetime. He is one selfless musician who believes that the word of music must spread far and wide, an artist who learns must also teach, and it is also an artist’s responsibility to teach music.
As an adviser to the younger generation, he says they need to keep the focus and filter themselves out of the glamour quotient toward serious music. Today there are lot more opportunities and platforms available compared to earlier days. However, there is still a dearth of platforms for classical music.
Rare Musician, passionate artist!
He operates in a musical zone far beyond words. He lives in a different world and is driven by difficult goals, that require passion, perseverance and passion to achieve. There is no space for words, there is little time for conversation, it is a different world – of rhythms, beats and patterns of music for Shri Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma. It is an honor for our state that he has been selected as Karnataka Kalashree. It is a privilege to be associated with him in anyway, even as an ardent listener, as a silent fan and admirer. Our best wishes to you for your future, Sir.
PROFILE
Anantha Krishna Sharma (Shivu as he is popularly known) was born in Bangalore, a city with rich cultural heritage, to a family of musicians. He is considered as an eminent percussionist (mridangam) in the whole of India. His father late Vidwan Anoor S. Ramakrishna was a well-known violinist, and an eminent teacher too in the Dept. of Music of Bangalore University. He was initiated in Mridangam by vidwan R. A. Rajagopal, who is a highly accomplished Mridangam / Ghatam artist and a senior staff of All India Radio, Bangalore.
Drawing on his long concert career from an early age of fifteen and a number of significant encounters with other great musicians, Anantha Krishna Sharma is known for his own style.
Anantha Krishna Sharma has performed in all the leading sabhas in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, all over India, and Anantha Krishna Sharma besides being a Mridangam artist also can play other percussion instruments like Tabla, Thavil and others with the same felicity and with ease. He has composed music for Ballet Dance and Films. His compositions have been regarded as highly imaginative and they encompass an amazing complexity and intricacy of rhythm blended in the musical notes.
Started at the age of 15, as a performing artiste and performed in all the leading Sangeetha Sabhas in Bangalore, Chennai and all over India.
As an accompanying artist, accompanied many senior and young talented musicians, which includes vidwans like R.K.Srikantan, Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, M.L. Vasantha Kumari, Sanjay Subrahmanyam, Unnikrishna, T.M. Krishna, Maharajapuram Santanam, M.S.Sheela, Sudha Raghunathan, Bombay Jayashree, M.S.Gopalakrisnan, T.N.Krishnan, N. Ramani, B.N.Suresh, Dr. Doraiswamy Iyengar, Ravi Kiran, U. Srinivas, Kadri Gopalanath and many more.
Overseas Visits :
•Traveled extensively to European countries Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland.
•Toured all over USA several times.
•Toured United Kingdom and Belgium for the East-West fusion with Strings of Gufia (London) and
•Led a percussion Group to Hanover for a performance.
Merits & Awards :
•Awarded “Best Mridangam Artist” in 1981 by Gayana Samaja
•“Laya Kala Prathibhamani” Title awarded by Percussive Arts Centre
•Awarded “Best Mridangam Artist” in 1996 from Madras Music Academy
Other Accomplishments :
•Well Conversant with other percussion instruments such as Dolu (Thavil), Tabla, Pakhawaj and even a good Vocalist.
•Talent has been tapped for other non-classical forms of music like light music, film music, folk and devotional, even for ballet and audio cassettes and CD’s.
•Composed music for balled titled “Kaishika” which was staged in UK in February 1995.
•Composed music and intricate patterns which blend with the compositions for an ensemble for Percussive Arts Centre
•Composed rhythmic patterns for an ensemble of Sri Ayyanar College of Music, LayaLahari.
•Imparting training to many students, who are in various stages of their career with some of them budding to matured and popular artists.
•Many recordings to the credit and with other musicians in a supporting role and as composer.