THE INDIAN STANDARD | ANIRUDH RAJAGOPALAN

Article:

My name is Anirudh Rajagopalan. I am a young Indian-American musical artist. I was born to Indian-origin parents in a city near Osaka, Japan. I am 24 years old and currently live in Raleigh, North Carolina. I am a music composer, director, performer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. I can play as a leading artist, or as an accompanist. Since my early childhood years, I have been exposed to various kinds of Indian, Western, and world genres. I have been performing for over a decade and am a recipient of several prestigious awards. In addition, I have met and had conversations with several world-renowned musicians, most recently Academy Award and Grammy winner A.R. Rahman, and international sensations Jonita Gandhi, Haricharan Seshadri, and A.R. Ameen. My earliest exposure to music was the South Indian classical style, called Carnatic music, thanks to my first guru, my mother. But while living in Japan, I was also exposed to Japanese styles of music, including traditional and contemporary, just walking along the streets of the bustling cities. In addition, I went to an international school in my home city where musical festivals showcasing music from all around the world were abundant. This was a catalyst for me developing a keen ear for music of all kinds. Although my music is largely grounded in Indian classical music and Western styles, I have learned to incorporate several different aspects of other world genres, based on my lifelong training and experiences. I am equally at ease in Bollywood music and Ghazals, and I also listen to traditional and classical Japanese, German Classical, German Folk, Contemporary German and French Pop, Portuguese Fado, Korean, and Japanese Pop. I have also studied both Indian and Western music theory for a number of years, learning and improving on how I write the solfège and other notations to make it easy to read and play for others of different skill levels. I have written music from solo performances to large ensembles and orchestras. I can play both Indian and Western instruments, including: Mridangam, Ghatam, Violin, and Piano, and can sing in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Spanish, German, Korean, and Japanese.

I have developed a keen ear for music of all kinds of music and seek to build bridges among different groups of people through music. My formative years saw me exposed to various styles. I was always part of diverse school communities, both in Japan and the United States, where diversity was greatly emphasized and celebrated, including through music. Diversity has been a strong pillar of my character, and this translated into my musical ventures and projects over the years. I have trained in different styles of music and have listened to many more that have made me want to incorporate different elements from each style into my works. I have released multiple albums that showcase how I have integrated these different elements and have performed alongside various groups of different styles of music.

What draws me to listen to music from other traditions is not only the different sounds they create but also the common features they all share. For example, different styles of music can evoke an energetic, upbeat feeling, or a more melancholic one. I find it really amazing that so many different styles of music can share so many fundamental ideas and concepts, and that is what made me believe that such styles do not have to be treated as separate and there is a way to unite them together.

As I learned Carnatic and Western music through my formative years, what struck me was that the two different styles share a lot of common basic fundamentals.

For example, melodic frameworks are the backbone of both styles. In Carnatic Music, a Raga is a collection of pitches, and each Raga is defined by certain ways of ascending and descending these scales. Fundamentally in Western Music, we see this same basic idea in the form of Major and Minor scales, such as Harmonic minor and Melodic Minor scales.

Another example: Having studied both Indian Carnatic and Western Music Theory, the solfège is written significantly differently between the two genres, but the fundamental purpose remains the same. They are two different ways of notating music, and it is even possible to write the same line of music in both types of solfège. It is exactly like writing a sentence in two different languages. They mean the same thing.

One method I use when I want to bring both styles together is, when I perform a Carnatic Concert on stage, when I play Mridangam with a vocalist, I usually put in a few Western drum styles in a few measures, deviating from the purist tradition just a little, while being careful about when to place these beats, so that they do not interrupt the flow of the song.

When transitioning between different genres, I keep in mind that all these genres actually have the same fundamental concepts, even if they are taught differently. Like the example between Carnatic Ragas and Western Major and Minor scales, I look for similar concepts and ideas in all these genres, from the scales they use, to the message they convey to society. I also keep in mind that various musical cultures of the world were actually influenced from other genres. This helps me approach music with a mindset that all music is essentially the same at the core level, these different styles are just different evolutions of the same core ideas.

Along with my musical experiences, non-musical backgrounds of my life have influenced my musical background. In particular, I was exposed to diverse populations from a young age, especially at school. I attended dinners, shows, and other cultural activities that brought people from various walks of life together, sharing their own traditions, and this made me realize that we are all human and there is a lot more that can bring us together, rather than drive us apart. This made me realize that the world lives and thrives on diversity, and music is a key component of this.

My career is built around my belief: We are living in a time when our relationships with one another, as human beings and as different cultures, are in our hands. We have the power to nurture these relationships and draw their course, and music is the universal language for the greater good and leading a life that enriches all.

What was your start to music? How did you begin learning and what motivated you to continue?

Since childhood, I’ve always been exposed to various musical genres simultaneously.

I was born in a city near Osaka, Japan, so during my early childhood years, I was exposed to various Japanese genres, such as their folk, classical, and pop music, while walking the bustling streets with my parents.
In addition, I attended an international school in my home city where musical festivals were regularly held, and they showcased music from all corners of the world. At this early stage in my life, this helped me develop a keen ear for music of all kinds.
My mother, a renowned Carnatic musician, was the one who introduced me to this genre, and it was with her that I practiced every day throughout my childhood. She is a vocalist and Veena player with over 30 years of experience. She grew up learning Carnatic music from her family and has been teaching hundreds of students in the United States and India. Her music school is one of the largest Carnatic Music schools in her region. She has also performed at numerous venues in the United States, India, and Japan.
I took up Mridangam at the age of 9 under a local teacher and seven years later, I started learning from his guru, a more advanced, renowned artiste. I am still actively learning under both my gurus today. I started learning Ghatam shortly after picking up Mridangam.
At school, I started learning Violin and Piano, and have more than 5 years and 15 years in these instruments, respectively.
I also learned vocal music from my mother and continue to practice regularly.

I believe this early exposure to different kinds of music slowly crystallized a desire in me to combine elements from these different genres.

My extended family too has considerable musical talents.

One of my uncles, Sriram Parthasarathy, is a renowned multi-instrumentalist and playback singer for South Indian films who has worked with composers and directors such as Harris Jayaraj, Ilaiyaraaja, and A.R. Rahman. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, Filmfare Award, and South Indian International Movie Award.
Sriram Parthasarathy’s father, my granduncle, R. Parthasarathy, is an accomplished singer and Veena player who has played for veteran music directors such as K.V. Mahadevan, Ilaiyaraaja, A.R. Rahman, and Vidyasagar. He and A.R. Rahman were childhood friends. With over 40 years of experience, he has played for over 1500 films. He was my mother’s guru and taught her Veena from a young age, and she still plays almost every night.
In addition, many of my family members are active singers and instrumentalists, from my younger brother to cousins, aunts, and uncles abroad in India

I also try to be aware of what is happening around me and I try to think of what relationship music can have with different aspects of life and beyond. I just allow inspiration to strike at any moment and write down my thoughts before the moment passes. I might leave right in the middle of dinner, or when I’m walking around my house, I may accidentally bump into a table, wall, or door, completely engrossed in my idea.

Technological advancements have also played a significant role in my musical journey. With smartphones these days, I can always go on YouTube to listen to a Carnatic concert while I am making dinner, or I can listen to some Bollywood or European playlists when I run on the treadmill. I have spent over a decade playing music and performing in many different venues. College exposed me to several social media platforms, and I have posted my vocal and instrumental music videos on these. I may not have a thousand likes or even a few thousand views, but I still feel proud I have a way to share my work with people.

What really motivates me to continue is the amazing support and encouragement I have from my family and friends. My parents are my biggest fans. Spending time with them and celebrating my successes with them is what keeps me going. I am never afraid of introducing new ideas to them. When I release new music, whether through a movie, or a soundtrack, I feel like a whole new world has opened up. I see a new direction to embark on yet another adventure.

What is my duty to music?

I feel that my duty to music is to always be in close touch with it and continue to share it with others. Music, for me, is a vehicle to make my mark and share the unique talents and gifts that I have been blessed with from my family. Coming from a family of musical celebrities, my parents instilled in me the idea that life is all about helping others. But it wasn’t until some years passed that I began to understand the real value of music in my life and what I had. Over time, as my mindset changed and I continued with my musical career, I realized that my connection to music stretches well beyond my family. I continued to perform more as I progressed through grade school and college. This is when I started to think more about the immense depth of music and its emotional impact on people, regardless of background. I soon realized that music is a whole universe of feelings for all kinds of people. It made me realize that music is much more than just playing and performing; it’s about conveying different feelings and emotions with the world and creating something bigger. I realized that I had this larger purpose growing inside of me with music, and I felt I was meant to show who I am and where my interests are via sharing my musical works with the world. Music is where artists are conveying their own feelings and identities, and I feel that music is a unique vehicle to convey my own thoughts and feelings that can often be difficult to express in words. Music is like a gateway to express yourself more freely. It is like you are starting with a blank canvas and music is a constantly expanding universe whose elements you can pick from to paint your picture, and your story.

Would I say I have a duty to my culture?

As someone who regularly engages in cultural activities year-round, I feel very connected to my roots by participating in such rituals and events, as it makes me feel at home. I usually look for opportunities to perform during such cultural events. For example, Diwali is one of the more active times of the year I have in performing Mridangam or singing for a show. I see my culture as a way to celebrate the value of life. My culture has been the backbone for where I was before and how far I have come today, and the road ahead.

I realize that my culture has become indispensable, and I have developed an unshaken faith and commitment to stay connected to it as it has guided the decisions and choices, I have made in my life so far. I have now realized from most of my life experiences, that roots are the most wonderful gifts that I have, and no matter where I go in life, I will always find myself coming back to them. I feel what I can do best for my culture is to embrace it and keep in close touch with it and share it with the world to show who I truly am, in the way I can show it best.

When I started following my passion for music, I soon learned that my works were also influencing others as they were my audience. It was really encouraging to see others being positively influenced by my work, as I have received comments from others saying that my works help them see a new dimension to cultural ties, and it’s something that they would not have experienced in any other way. It also helps spread a new understanding, feeling, and unique energy that only music can do. I cannot tell you how encouraged I have been by the overwhelming amount of support I have had throughout my musical career from people at home and abroad. And as the years went by, I was asking myself more often about what I could continue to do for others. How can I keep helping people? How can I continue making their lives better? This is when my passion started to become my duty to others. My duty was stemming out of passion, which makes it even more enjoyable to keep going. All of my works are influenced by Indian musical aspects and other world genres, and so when I bring such elements together, I realize I am sharing a number of ideas that show how there is something larger out there than all of us, something that all humanity can aspire to for the greater good.

I believe that preserving any cultural heritage is done most effectively when we share it with the world. When we promote our heritage, we are bringing it to life, showing what makes it valuable for the current and future generations.

I now see myself following my own passion while serving a certain duty to my audience: to keep going at music and continue to improve and expand my work and reach a wider global audience and touch others’ lives in more meaningful ways.

Reflecting on my journey so far and the road ahead, I feel more energized to continue learning and growing as a musician. And I know that it is perfectly okay to create and share music that reflects my own unique style created from my own unique life experiences and thoughts. After all, everyone is different, so it is okay to think different.

How have your elders/parents influenced your music? Do you feel supported by them?

My family has influenced my musical career greatly as they have always stood by and supported me through all my works and events, through all the ups and downs. Whenever I have a good performance, they put me on the back and encourage me to go even further. And when I have a bad performance, they lift my spirits and suggest ways to bounce back. I feel very grateful to have such a loving family that continues to believe in me and support me to realize my dreams and vision.

My mother and I still perform music together, and I think of her as my Steve Jobs. She was the person who really got me going in music. She always inspires me to reach for the stars every time she sings, and I accompany her on Mridangam. And we have so much fun that we don’t even notice the hours flying by.

As I started growing an audience at home and online to my new ideas and unique approaches, my parents supported me even more. They are my greatest blessings.

One thing that has become clear to me over the years is that being the best at something, or winning, is not everything. To me, having a strong support system of genuine friends, family, and gurus is much more important and meaningful than any award or recognition. The recognition I have today would not have happened without them.

My mother, father, brother, relatives, and gurus have always been incredibly positive and have encouraged me to continue working hard. They have believed in me and supported me through all the ups and downs of my musical journey. I would not be where I am today were it not for my elders.

Tell us about your mental health journey. (your childhood to adulthood, how has your mental health evolved)

I have spent most of my life in a very diverse suburb where my classmates at school would often judge others like me without really knowing us or taking the time to understand us. I was labeled all the time and many of these labels had nothing to do with who I was. When I told people what kind of music I play and perform, they mocked me, from the hallways to the cafeteria, and even in class. I felt I was not given the best chance to express myself or tell people about myself before someone would judge me. My journey has really been about self-expression and not being afraid to be myself. I found comfort in knowing that there is a place in this world for everyone and there is a place for me to express myself. I channeled this growing energy into music, something that has been in my family’s blood for generations.

My mental health was often influenced by external expectations and validation. The compulsion to compare myself to others came, at first, from others, but soon started emanating from within me as I grew older. From grades, to sports, and other extracurriculars, competition and comparison was everywhere, and that put a lot of pressure on me. I constantly compared myself to other talented and capable people and felt that I was not good enough, which was really discouraging. But I am not a million people. I am one person. One person with my own unique talents and capabilities.

The brown population spends a significant amount of time comparing and analyzing how they stack up to others, and at the end of the day, there is no real benefit from this. I was subject to stereotyping not just from people of other races and ethnicities, but even from my own kind as the years went by.

There is always going to be judgment from others, no matter what you already have in life. But how you choose to take this judgment determines your confidence in self-expression and the direction you take.

Whenever I feel low, I practice music and channel and convert all the negativity into positive energy. I feel that this energy can give others a unique new view on the value of life and the meaning of togetherness and humanity.

Music is in my blood, and I believe it is my mission to show that music can be used to break stereotypes. Music is a unifying force. It can help spread a positive message in creative ways, from lyrics to instrumentation, challenging existing assumptions, and breaks down walls of negative beliefs. Music is how I make myself heard; it is how I express my identity. And, best of all, I can create music on my own platform.

Once I realized that the world thrives on people being different, I became less fearful of being judged and struck up conversations with all kinds of people about music. I soon learned that there is much more than unites than divides us. I also learned that there is so much more to learn about music that I do not know yet.

What would you like to say with your music?

To me, music has no boundaries. Since the beginning of time, music has brought people together.

Music is also very liberating. I have built my own platform from the ground up based on my experiences in Indian and Western styles and charted my own path. There was no template saying I had to be a certain type of musician, and this freedom has allowed me to put myself out there more confidently and more creatively.

What I really love about music is the creative aspect. When inspiration strikes, I see it as a new adventure that is calling me. Sometimes, I leave right in the middle of dinner or linger in bed to write my ideas down before I forget them.

It was my innate curiosity that drove me to experiment with different instruments and combinations. No one I knew said no to this, so I asked myself, “Why not?” Over the years, I have gained new experiences where I realized that when people come together and share music or sing and play together, there is this indescribable camaraderie. The light becomes brighter, the air suddenly becomes more pure, and there is this sense of joy. Whenever I perform a musical piece, I feel elevated. Performing in front of diverse audiences, from my high school to one of the biggest Carnatic Music festivals in the world, leaves me elevated and inspires me to keep going.

I have made so many connections with so many different people from various walks of life. Sometimes, I talk to people online via video chat, or we get together in person and try out new ideas. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of my mother’s own students, artists across the United States, globally critically acclaimed conductors, and many more amazing people.

In 2022, I had an opportunity to converse with international sensation Jonita Gandhi, a popular YouTuber and playback singer in the Indian Film Industry. Our conversation revolved around diversity in music where she told me something inspiring: be willing to take that leap of faith and expand your horizons to build bridges. It was an incredible experience to share my work with her and learn from her as well.

Each idea I hear really inspires me to think in a new direction and expand on my horizons. These are the connections and conversations that I truly cherish. The ideas that I have heard over the years have inspired the over 50 songs I have released on all major streaming platforms and counting.

By creating and sharing music, I have learned what it means to express and share identities and attributes. It is also about filling the emptiness inside that asks us to accept ourselves first.

Also, it is okay to make mistakes along the way, but what’s most important is learning the right lessons from these experiences. I have made numerous mistakes in my life, from practicing to performing, and I think the real reason I was able to bounce back was because I told myself, “Making mistakes does not make you weak; it makes you stronger especially when you now realize the value of their lessons.”

As it turned out, doubt and negative opinions from others was the catalyst that made me more confident in self-expression. It is what pushed me to think more about my own self, step outside my own boundaries, and channel this negative energy into positivity. I’m learning to go with the flow and follow my heart, and to be fearless in taking the next step, even if I do not know where exactly it will take me. I have become a risk taker.

Where are you headed in your career now?

I continue practicing all my instruments regularly to keep my hands in good shape and keep in touch with my gurus. Music is my personal therapy which helps me improve my mood and more importantly, reduce stress.

I continue to collaborate with my family and various groups in my area and online, and I continue to learn more about working with symphonies and other types of groups. I am currently part of the SMYA Collective (a fusion band I co-founded in Durham with a few friends), and a visiting artist for the Durham Symphony Orchestra.

My journey has also brought me to Berklee College of Music, where I am studying to obtain some professional certifications in Music Business, Music Marketing, and Musical Societies.

I am also expanding into other ventures via connections with other people, including content creation and various ambassador opportunities.

I enjoy creating and sharing new music while exploring new ventures, meeting and working with others, while learning all along the way. I have some new projects coming soon and cannot wait to share them with the world.

I hope my platform can serve as an example for other aspiring brown artists who want to share something wonderful with the world and express themselves authentically as they are.

“Difference is the sauce of life; it is the beauty, it is the art of everything. Difference makes all beautiful here. It is variety that is the source of life, the sign of life.”

- Swami Vivekananda