16 October 2024

One Phrase Natai

I was rather little when the first notes of the ragam Natai and the sound of the Mandolin fell on my ears. It was from a CD with a picture of a very young Mandolin U Srinivas on it. Just seven years older to my brother, they could’ve been playmates. But it never occurred to us that the world of music had a prodigy in its midst. The world knew. We didn’t.

Years later, as a music executive, I met the man at his home. There was no question that my brother would join me too. It is perhaps the most precious memory I have of meeting an artist. More on him and his humility later.

But I remember him telling us about the importance of silence in music and how sometimes, a raga’s entire soul can be captured in just one phrase. That opening line of Natai from that CD rang in my ears! How could he have known the subtlety and essence of performance at such a tender age?! 

To this day, it is THAT opening phrase of Natai that IS Natai for us. Here is a clip of that ‘all-revealing’ phrase. But the real deal would be to have the LP or the CD. It is unfortunate that the recording is not on any of the DSPs, but if you can lay your hands on a copy of the CD somehow (and then buy yourself a CD player!), then this is a gem to treasure.

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