Musical journey with children
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Ramjhi (of `Abaswaram' fame) talks to MALATHI RANGARAJAN on his scintillating sojourn with children in the realms of music — light and classical.
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The amazing array of talent, with Ramjhi ... — Pic. by N. Balaji
A DONKEY peering into a mike was the logo on his letterhead. He called it `My Master's Voice.' His Western Music band was ``Frustrations Amalgamated" and when he inaugurated his light music troupe on April 1(!) he dared to call it `Abaswaram.' Those who attended the shows were given aspirin tablets and cotton to plug their ears! It was these idiosyncrasies that set Ramjhi apart and made people take notice of him. This was in the 1970s. Ramjhi came on the scene very late when light music on stage was the monopoly of giants such as Kamesh Rajamani and A. V. Ramanan. So he had to try out gimmicks, albeit negative, to gain attention. The strategy worked, and how! "The prefix has been identified with me so much that though I closed down the troupe long ago, people still know me only as `Abaswaram' Ramjhi," he laughs. This ace drummer's sense of humour is intact — as spontaneous and effervescent as it was three decades ago.
Ramjhi's rendezvous with music in recent years has been on a totally different plane. He is the promoter of Issai Mazhalai, the country's first children's music group that began with film music and has now stormed the Carnatic music bastion in a big way. The members of Issai Mazhalai are presenting 35 classical music concerts this December season alone! "At this rate I need a much bigger office to carry on the job of identifying voices, classifying talents under classical, semi-classical and light, assigning them under the right gurus, helping them hone their skills and monitoring their progress." Ramjhi smiles.
Astounding database
It involves systematic, diligent work. "But the dividend I get by way of satisfaction is immeasurable," says Ramjhi, as he shows you the long list of talents he has stored in his computer. The number is a whopping 1,500. Everything is perfectly tabulated and meticulously stored. As the children travel all over the country and abroad for concerts (during vacations) their likes, dislikes and health conditions, are all available with Ramjhi at the click of a button. "Such information is vital, especially because we have even five-year olds in our group," he says.
Beginning stages
It was when Ramjhi was with the Raj TV group as senior consultant, channel promotion, that he came to realise the cornucopia of talented child musicians today. Soon he embarked on the idea of a light music troupe comprising children, with adults handling the orchestra. The shows met with stupendous success. (They still do.) "Quality wise there's no compromise ... these kids are as proficient as their senior counterparts in the profession," Ramjhi asserts. Many of the Issai Mazhalai singers are already making waves in the light music circuit in cinema. — Madhumita, for one. Vidya, Haricharan, Vignesh and so on. They have rendered their voices for quite a few title numbers of television serials. Folks who need the kids to sing have to just contact Ramjhi (Ph: 2491 5753; 2491 0501).
Ramjhi then felt it was time to channel the potential on the classical front also. Jaya TV's enthusiasm was a source of encouragement and "Baala Brumham" had a perfect launch. On February 28, this year, 12 short kutcheris from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with 12 different chief guests for each, were organised and the day was a roaring success. Of the 12, two were instrumental shows with keyboardist Satyanarayanan and veena player Sriram. The shows were telecast on Jaya and the response was incredible. "I was flooded with calls after each concert. Now, in a matter of months we have a whole lot of Carnatic musicians in our midst. Another speciality is that unlike their light music shows, for the Carnatic music concerts the accompanists are also children. "You must listen to the youngest Carnatic musician in the country, Anantaraman. He is giving quite a few recitals this season ... " Ramjhi's elation is contagious as he plays the boy's swara nuances and neravals on the recorder beside him. The mastery and maturity leave you awestruck.
Ramjhi cherishes the experience the Issai Mazhalai group had at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, recently. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, had invited Ramjhi and the children over, to give a short music recital. And connoisseur that he is, the President was overwhelmed by the abundant talent.
Defining `children'
Broadly speaking, Issai Mazhalai singers continue in the troupe as long as they are in school. "Otherwise the name `Mazhalai' would be a misnomer," Ramjhi points out. His way with children and his concern are significant reasons for the success of the Issai team. "I am very approachable and friendly and I keep them in good humour with trinkets such as these," Ramjhi opens his table drawer to show the pens, chocolates, and ever so many things he stocks for the kids. "Basically I love children and I think that helps," he smiles.
Initially Ramjhi visited various schools to scout for talents. But now parents call him up for an appointment. Saturday mornings are allotted for the purpose, when parents bring their kids over for a voice test.
In the early days when quirkiness led him to giving the oddest of labels to his troupe, dancer Padma Subramaiam could only look at her brother with exasperation and exclaim, "What's wrong with you Ramjhi?!" His changing tack to Issai Mazhalai and Baala Brumham must have left the sis immensely enthused!
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