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Not losing sight of music power
Looking to reach the zenith.
IN MUSIC, either by listening, playing or singing, one gets transcended to a world of tranquillity. Undeniable. Then why music as a subject is not in the limelight when it comes to Plus Two examinations?
This has been the case with P. Kartheeban, State topper in Indian Music with 193, in a total of 846, breaking the previous record of 189 out of 200. Since he joined the St.Louis Institute, Chennai, he has brought laurels to his institution. To cap it all, the record break in the score has done pride to the school.
Music and visual impairment are interlocked. For Kartheeban too. Losing his sight at the age of nine, owing to a physical assault by a teacher, the already weak optical nerves got cut, says the topper. But the visual handicap is the only reason for him to have opted for music as his career. ``I was pushed into the sea of loneliness after the incident. Music gave me the solace and kept my worries at bay.''
Having encountered too many hassles, he seems to approach life both philosophically and psychologically — ``Music icon, Beethoven, who like me is handicapped (deaf), is my God. I start my recording work only after playing his short but melodic piece on piano.''
The music student is also a singer, drummer, keyboardist and above all, a composer. One might say he has to be for his choice of subject is such that. But doing the score for an album without any assistance surpassing his physical limitation is something worthy to be mentioned, apart from his marks.
It is for Dhan Foundation's `Vayalagam' (an album comprising folk songs), for which he is the lead keyboard player-cum-composer. The devotional albums — `Anbin Swarangal' and `Anbin Amutham' — also have his contributions. He is the main keyboardist for the former and composer of a song sung by Swarnalatha for the latter.
With his ambition to step into Kollywood, Kartheeban who has scored for two songs for FM when in Std IX, says, ``I have plans to meet music director, Deva, and ask for an opportunity. I will enter into it based on merit and defiantly not on recommendations,'' says the self-confident youngster.
Coming from a poor background and brought up by his mother who makes a living with his father's pension, the `guru' for the budding music master is the late Srinivasa Iyengar, whom he says, ``has laid a strong foundation and triggered in him the thirst for music''.
He further adds, ``What I learnt from my master in those three months helps me in all my musical ventures.''
His gratitude also goes to his schoolmaster, John Xavier, who has wiped off his apprehensions and inferiority complex. With over 50 stage programmes to his cap, he is now learning violin.
His aspiration speaks for his concern for talented fellow sufferers sinking into oblivion. ``I will pick those inborn roadside musicians and bring them to light after I stabilise my position in the music world.''
It just surprises us when this young personality says; ``Though doctors have given me the hope to restore my sight, I have decided to be blind till I accomplish myself to tell the society that impairment cannot be an impediment to one's achievement.''
Right. Is he happy over his top score? I aimed and I achieved as expected, Kartheeban remarks casually waiting for his ambition to take off very soon.
By AR Meyyammai
Photo: K. Ganesan
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Life
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