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STRIKING THE CHORDS

Every one of us have a song in our playlists which we would never want to delete it from the playlist and no matter how many times we listen to it, it feels refreshing. Even on 11,734th time. That’s the charm that a good song carries.

When do we consider a song to be good? When it is perfectly blended by right amount of music, the lyrical content, above all, the singer who sings it scores the full marks. Music is divine no doubt. But the voice that brings the seven notes to life plays a major role in demarcating the ordinary from the extraordinary.

Meet Mr. Manojavvam, 19 year old musician, who puts all his heart out in bringing the soul to a song. Give him a stage, he sets it charging. He had his first date with this beautiful lady called music when he was at the age of 3 years. “I used to not go to sleep until my father would sing lullabies, film songs to put me in sleep. Eventually, that somehow turned into passion; thanks to my parents for recognizing the talent in me which has now enabled to become what I am today”, he says this with pride.


So, my interaction with Manojavvam was more like a discussion on music and life than an interview. Here are some of the noteworthy experiences and achievements of his journey in the field of music in all these 16-17 years that I would like to share with you all. I have partitioned this conversation into three parts for the sake of readers benefit:
1.     Discipleship and inspiration
2.     Glorifying the achievements
3.     Experiences and the message

1.    Discipleship and inspiration
As of now, Manojavam is practising Hindustani shaastreeya sangeetha under the discipleship of pandit Jayateertha Mevundi (student of the legendary musician, pandit Bheemsen joshi) and filmy songs, on his own.
Inspiration is the one thing that makes us to live for what we are; without which our lives become boring. He considers his father as a main source of inspiration who himself is an admirer of music. Apart from him, he adorns and admire pandit Venkatesh kumar, Rasheed kumar, Bheemsen Joshi, M.D. Pallavi, C. Ashwath, Natasarvabhouma Dr. Rajkumar, Vijay prakash, Rajesh Krishnan as his role model.
 
2.    Glorifying the achievements
He has performed in many elite singing shows such as SA RE GA MA PA(season 4 winner), Bengaluru Ganesha Utsav, yede tumbi haaduvenu, Karnataka rakshana vedhike and many such shows and has won many prestigious awards such as Aryabhata award, Sir M. Vishveshwariah award and over 2000 other such awards for his performances in various stage shows.
He had had the privilege to perform in front of legendary personas such as Dr. Rajkumar, P.B. Srinivas,  Dr. S.P.Balasubramanyam, S. Janaki, Pandit Puttaraja Gavaayi and many more.
He is not only a singer, but an actor too. He has played a major role in many TV series and featured films such as Silli Lalli(a famous kannada sitcom), Aakasha kinnari, Prema raga, Tutturi, Nandadeepa, Chilipili hakkigalu, Kashi from village and many other short films.
In the year 2009-10, he won Karnataka state award for The best child actor for the movie Nandadeepa, which he considers it to be one of the milestones in his career.


3.    Experiences and the message
·       Every field has its own difficulties throughout the journey. So, did you face any hardships while practicing a particular form? If yes, which is that form?
True. Every field has its own hardships and melancholics in it. But when you love the work you do and as long as you are true to your heart, it doesn’t count as a hardship, unless you say so.
I personally feel classical music is off the norm as it has its own rules and regulations unlike filmy music which has little less to do with regulations. But with practice overtime, it becomes easier.

·        About stage fear
 Stage fear is something that everyone would definitely have initially. We have to overcome that fear within us. How do we do that? Everything in this world comes for a price. So, for this, experience is that price.

·        Apart from music, what have you learnt from this art?
Well! Art attracts many, but selects a few. This is one of the main lessons that I have learnt from this art apart from music. I’m thankful to almighty and my parents. At the same time, practicing and valuing time is one of the most aspects in any field that one should respect and follow.

·        What do you want to say to budding singers who wants to pursue their career in this field?
As I said earlier, art attracts many, but selects a few. Here, I would want to say one thing. Everyone is gifted with a talent; some of us carve that into an idol. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter if you want to pursue your career in this field or any other field. All it matters is what you do after you have chosen a career is the most important thing. And, parents play a major role in this aspect. They shouldn’t force or restrict their child into one particular space. Instead, they should encourage their innate talents and support them pursue their dreams which make their life colorful and beautiful.

·        About opportunities
Let’s say that you are waiting in a bus stop and waiting for your route’s bus to arrive and you are already late to your work. After a while, your route’s bus arrives, but it is already crowded. Now, you have 2 options:
  a) to take that bus
  b) Not to take because it is crowded and wait for the other bus to come

If you consider the first option, you somehow reach the destination in a fair amount time.
If you consider the second one, you might as well not reach at all.
Similarly, we should be equipped properly in such a way that, when the opportunity comes our way, we should grab it immediately. That opportunity somehow takes us to the destination. We should be strong with our base works. Only then will we be able achieve the desired dreams and that’s how we are remembered for what we are and who we are.

So, this was the conversation I pretty much had with Manojavvam. I hope this achievement of his will inspire many people out there willing to pursue their dreams. I’d like to thank Manojavvam himself for giving me his time from his busy schedule and making this article happen.






    













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