Interview
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When and how did you start Learning music ?
I started
learning Annamacharya krithis from Smt. Shobha raju, in the year 1994…..before
that it was just an untrained singing…. my father took me to her as he saw an
ad. In the paper given by her which invited new students for learning
Annamacharya keertanas …when I first met her I was really scared …she asked
me to sing a song and I sang one balujis song…she said “do u watch lot of
movies”. I innocently nodded my head saying yes…..from then on I started
learning annamayya krithis from her.
…I
continued for 2 yrs, then went to b’lore where I learnt carnatic classical
music from Mr.Kamal kumar who was the disciple of Sri.R.K.Srikanthan (Reknown
carnatic vocalist in Karnataka) for about 5 months in the year 1999.
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How is ur
guru Smt.shobha raju as an inspiration to u ?
She is a
lady of great spiritual values… I not
only learnt the fine nuances in singing from her but also a proper discipline
and a spiritual approach towards life…she is the founder of an organization called as “Annamacharya Bhavan Vahini”(ABV), which
promotes peace through annamayya krithis….i get astound when I see her
reacting strongly to the difficult situations in life…..it is as if god comes
at correct time to help her out….her husband Dr. nandakumar is also a very
nice person…who has devoted himself towards the progress of ABV and is the main helping hand for
madam. Now her dream project of
annamayyapuram is taking shape in hitec city madapur ,which will have an
auditorium, and kuteers for teaching annamayya krithis to the students.
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Tell us something about ur family
I am the youngest in the family….I have an elder brother sirish, actually he is the inspiration for me in singing….my parents are very very co-operative…...I
cant have been at this stage but for them….. because of my father I cud dream to be a playback singer and achieve that…..he manages all my song collections…..my mother is a gr8 support to me in all the aspects....all her brothers and sisters sing except for her...so
I think she has presented the gift of singing to me instead of keeping with her. They
have been supportive in each and every aspect.
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When did you meet Sri.S.P.Balasubramaniyam
and what was ur reaction after meeting such a senior Most play back Singer ?
It was
indeed a dream come true…..in my childhood I was in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh….but there too I cud arrange to get balu ji’s cassettes from AP and
used to practice them… .. I met baluji for the 1st time in
kodandapani studio in chennai,for the recording of sri annamayya serial, for
which I accompanied my madam shobha raju garu……he came out of the voice room
and my madam introduced me to him…I just cant believe my eyes that I was in
front of that person whose voice I’ve grown up listening to……I just
touched his feet and he reacted very humbly. He asked me to apply for padutha
thiyyaga…..then I applied for it, and I got a call after 1 yr of applying
,when I just forgot that I have applied for it.
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What was
it in him which impressed u much and inspired you ?
He is a
perfect person made for the film industry….he has got a versatile voice unlike
anyone else…..when I was the 1st runner up in paduta tiyyaga
finals, he said “don’t worry
its just a game, its not at all the end…I’ll surely call u for a prg. Which
will be done by me”…I just thought he said casually to console me…but it
was a real surprise when I again got a call from him after about 1.5 yrs for a
show called as ‘Yendaro mahanubhavulu’ in which I sang almost 17 old and new
songs. His memory is so good that he’ll remember ur name after a period of time
also, and the most important is his down to earth attitude.
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U have
recently participated in ZEE TV-SA RE GA MA PA .How was it as an experience, as
u r supposed to be the 1st south Indian male to have won 5 episodes
in that reconceived internationally acclaimed show.
I did not
believe myself that I won 5 episodes….because it was such a tough
competition….for the audition of which only 4 people were selected amongst 387
people and I was one of the 4…..I went to b’lore to give the audition as
they did not come to hyd…..the selected people again have another audition in
Mumbai….in which lot of them get filtered….it was because of god’s grace
and my hard work that I cud clear
the auditions and win 5 episodes…..it was wonderful to meet the people like
ravindra jain ,begum parveen sultana, sadhana sargam, an and raaj anand, vinod
rathod, himesh reshmiah etc.
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How did u
you feel When u Came to Srikakulam For a mega event like
“ Spirit of unity concerts for national Integration”.?
Srikakulam
is a lovely place which has got its own cultural values, I liked the public over
there…who sat till night 1’o calk to watch the prg….it shows clearly that
people of srikakulam are real music lovers.
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Did you
Visit srikakulam’s famous Arasavalli Sun god temple ?
Yes, I did
visit the temple…..it was really a gr8 experience as I visited a sun temple
for the 1st time.
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As a Play back singer ur claim to fame Song ?
Na gundelo neevundipova from nuvvu nenu….
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Have u sung any devotional songs apart from movies ?
Yes, actually
I have sung almost 150 to 200 devotional songs…which includes annamayya
krithis, sai bhajans etc.
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You look Young, fair and smart. If u
get an offer in the movie as a hero , will u do it ?
Hmmm…..first
of all thanx for all ur compliments….I don’t have any objection for
that…..but singing will always be my utmost priority.
As told to
Kalyan Magatapalli webmaster Srikakulamtoday.com
