Ramana Balachandran at KFAC, Bangalore

[sreebeecane]

Fantastic concert by the young vaiNika!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXKhfYyAjgs

[kssr]

Ramana went on to win the Kalavanta 2016 award for the best main artist. Also yesterday he was given a Youth Artist award by Rama Lalitha Kala mandira with 25K cash, citation, etc.,

Yesterday we were told that he is just 14 years old. Super achievement. Also was told that he is doing music full time. No school. Well.....

[hnbhagavan]

Dear Kssr,

While his achievements in VEENA are extra ordinary,but should have continued studies just to deal with the world when he becomes a professional musician.

[Nick H]

Yesterday we were told that he is just 14 years old. Super achievement. Also was told that he is doing music full time. No school. Well.....

Child labour in the carnatic world!

Maybe some NGO should rescue him!

EDIT: this is rubbish based on not having any knowledge of the real situation.

I have been to one of his concerts and didn't enjoy it very much. Maybe I'll take a look at the above video and see if I feel the same.

[balavenu]

Ramana is very much into studies. He was going to Kumarans in Bangalore till his 5th and was doing quite well. He's currently homeschooled & will take his IGCSE exams next May. Homeschooling and also the idea of pursuing one's interests is often misunderstood in our context; and so often that my wife has been asking me write a note on the path we've taken -- in response to the many misconceptions and urban legends we get to hear about Ramana . Nick may have said it in humor, but we've had any number of (well meaning) people seriously advise us based on these legends. Sometimes these are constructed in our very presence -- when organisers talk about the artist in their introduction or post-concert speech!

These posts definitely strengthen a case for writing a note on what we do and why we do what we do at some point. Thank you.

[Nick H]

Nick may have said it in humor ...

Not so much humour, as a complete misunderstanding of the situation based on zero knowledge.

In that circumstance, your reply is very polite. Thank you for that, and apologies from me.

[kvchellappa]

An excellent note. Best wishes for Ramana for whatever he does.

[kvchellappa]

Nick,
I do not appreciate instrumental music much (possibly because I am not able to refer to Katcheri Kaiyedu), but enjoy Ramana's playing (possibly because he vocalises the first line of what he sings). I am attracted to him.

[Nick H]

Well, I have to give him another try. it may be that his style of playing is perfectly valid, but just not to my taste.

Anyway, he is so young that he has many decades of playing ahead of him.

[rshankar]

Balavenu - from your post, I assume you're the proud father of the amazing artist: first off, congratulations to you and your wife for raising a wonderful musician.

Everything about Ramana's stage manner - his poise, confidence, vidwat etc, belie his age.

Home-schooling is a much more popular concept here in the US than in India I guess - the national spelling bee has more than an odd winner who's been home-schooled...

And I guess Ramana could modify Papanasam Sri Sivan's words ever so slightly and say 'gAnAmRta pAnamE yen jIvanamE'!

[sureshvv]

Our schooling system is pretty miserable with the sole intent of rat race preparation, so I think home schooling is a great option as long as avenues of social interaction is available with other kids of similar age.

[balavenu]

Yes, Shankar, am his father. Thanks for your kind note.

It is not just homeschooling that's not well understood here. Most of us, I presume, are a tad restless till we can categorize, label and file away anyone who doesn't yet fit. This takes a variety of forms (all true remarks made to us, the parents!), often hiding the generalization/assumption involved, as in:

(a) "He is exclusively dedicated to vedic studies" -- since he has a tuft and used to learn the vedas
(b) "I understand, music is definitely a good option for someone not interested in studies" -- since he's a musician
(c) "You are living your dreams through your son" -- since homeschooling isn't common
(d) "Music is a great way to make money while young; I still spend for my son"
(e) "When his life is settled, why does he still graple with physics" -- when just before Kalavanta a friend saw him intensely working on his IGCSE Science for a week
(f) Extremely positive or negative characterization based on whether one sees him as another Shyama Shastri or a "made up" prodigy
(g) "Just practice, don't perform" -- since he plays concerts, "goes to school" and "wastes time" performing

and many more. The best of course is reserved for that little friend of Ramana who asked him "Are you an acid or something that your father wants to experiment with you?", when Ramana told him about our "experiment" in homeschooling.

After we started homeschooling him and understood to an extent I've been very vocal about its applicability to many of friends' children, some of whom have since embarked on the same journey. It's not just music and studies -- he gets to do a lot more than that, and on a daily basis -- intensely and with a certain all-day freshness. I know of friends who homeschool for better academic depth, some that want to pursue other interests, some that simply rebel against the stereotyping our academic environment entails, some that believe books is what you do while life ticks away and consign them to vermin, and so on.

In Ramana's case when we started homeschooling it was not for music (to walk away from elaborate conversations I do say so though ) -- it was an attempt to understand if there was something better than schooling that would enable a freer course for a fresh mind and in a quieter place. His first Veena class happened in 2010, December, when he was nine and a half. It took a couple of years before it caught fire and I even had to take more than a year off to work with him.

I guess this is turning out to be too autobiographical for someone yet insignificant, so I'll stop here.

[kssr]

"Are you an acid or something"

An acid question about an acid test Ramana is obviously a brilliant boy doing whatever he is doing. He will pass the test with flying colours and we wish him the very best in life. (JUst curious- why the little tuft?)

[kvchellappa]

It has been interesting Sri Balachandran. You express yourself well.

[kvchellappa]

Sri KSSR, why not?

[balavenu]

Sri KSSR: on the tuft....

It confers the privilege of being able to sit at Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi's samadhi shrine at Tiruvannamalai and perform veda parayana along with the paatashaala students. His atma bandus at Tiruvannamalai are these students, so this was an easy one for him.

[Nick H]

I guess this is turning out to be too autobiographical for someone yet insignificant, so I'll stop here.

It's very inspiring, and makes me feel even more the idiocy of that post of mine.

Still, I've been an idiot before, and I have no doubt at all that I will be again... and sometimes something good comes of it.

[sureshvv]

Nick... You should feel blessed. At least you know when you have been an idiot

[Nick H]

Hey ho... it's a bit embarrassing sometimes but there I go: 60-plus and still embarrassing myself.

[rajeshnat]

Thank you balavenu for coming out and clarifying . ON a tangential note , one of my classmates did put two of her kids in homeschooling when she took a break from proper schooling . Both the kids are doing very well , and they have developed a very high scientific temper. They did the home schooling for a year when they were in india for a break .But when they went back to US they got the credit for what they did and they joined the school in us without losing a year.

As such in bangalore does any school consider home schooling as credits and take you to the next class without losing any years , just in case if parents and kids decide to join the school??

Best wishes to ramana

[balavenu]

Thank you balavenu for coming out and clarifying . ON a tangential note , one of my classmates did put two of her kids in homeschooling when she took a break from proper schooling . Both the kids are doing very well , and they have developed a very high scientific temper. They did the home schooling for a year when they were in india for a break .But when they went back to US they got the credit for what they did and they joined the school in us without losing a year.

As such in bangalore does any school consider home schooling as credits and take you to the next class without losing any years , just in case if parents and kids decide to join the school??

Best wishes to ramana

Rajesh, most alternative schools will allow a student to take the 'O' level and 'A' level exams just based on age requirements and ability. In fact most of such schools do not even want to segregate students by age (they might bunch by age group though) beyond a point. If your question is about the regular CBSE/Metric/ICSE/etc. schools it entirely depends on the school. I've heard that the US has State specific requirements for every academic year for homeschoolers -- your friend's children would have managed to meet those requirements I presume.

Most homeschoolers in India seem to directly go for the 'O' and 'A' levels in IGCSE and 10th/12th wrt NIOS. Some of them do 'CheckPoint' (equivalent to 8th class) in IGCSE and a similar exam in NIOS, both of which are optional.

[munirao2001]

I am not surprised with the ignorance and misplaced concerns about Vid.Ramana Balachandran. I have heard him, If he continues the sadhana with the ideal, he will be a maestro in five years and great maestro in ten years from now.
Is not education not confined to academic? Is not study, learning, practicing and experiment in classical art-Karnataka Sangeetham education? Initial success gives the confidence to pursue the cherished ideal and goal. Vid.RB has secured it deserving. Is Vid.RB a rare and exception in his pursuit? No, many great maestros success with total focus on music education along with general education are history e.g.Great Genius and Great Maestro Veena SB Sir, Great Genius and Great Maestro Chitraveena Ravikiran Sir and Great Genius and Great Maestro Balamuralikrishna Sir.
What is rasikas duty and service? It is in ensuring total freedom to Vid.RB and his beloved parents and offering support by attending to his concerts and patronize.

I am consciously not active but this intervention was felt and I have posted the truth.

munirao2001

[hnbhagavan]

There is no doubt that Ramana will do well in VEENA as he is so passionate.I also appreciate the supporting role of the parents.But i feel no special protection is needed in the form of home schooling.If you see today,there are many Vidwans - sanjay Subramanyam,S Saketataraman,Ramakrishnan Murthy etc who went to normal Schools and obtained degrees,but later chose Music career.
without doubt Ramana and his parents know what is best for him both for general well being and in particular to advance in VEENA playing.
With best wishes.

[narayan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXKhfYyAjgs

Good music by Ramana, Vineeth and Utham (assuming that is how their names are spelt). Very engaging and lively performance. Ragams were excellent, starting from the opening strains of Kannada, and I particularly enjoyed the couple of minutes of Begada and fine touches in Darbari Kanada. All the songs were in a briskish pace, as perhaps befits the combined age of the team. Best wishes to them.

[uday_shankar]

Fantastic katcheri ! Thanks for sharing sreebeecane.

What gnyanam ! What a commitment at such a young age. Surely he has Bhagavan's blessings ! Wishing him the very best and look forward to more from him.

Bhairavi is my favorite raga and thanayuni one of the favorite kritis !

[SrinathK]

I have heard Ramana play and he just blew us away with his talent and the depth of his raga alapanas and kriti renditions. His gamaka pallette is simply extraordinary -- I have never heard anything like that from a vainika except from the Brinda Mukta school. The thing is that his playing is extremely rich, without needless virtuostic stunts that have often brought many a grand musical experience crashing down, and in my opinion, he should always keep it that way. He is that once in a generation as far as his talent goes.

He is also an extremely good singer and last time I heard him, his voice had broken into the typical adolescent timbre, so it's definitely maturing. I hope he concentrates as much on his singing abilities too and gives occasional vocal concerts. It will also greatly help in giving him many ideas for manodharma.

I hope Ramana will participate in competitions too where his immense talent can find opportunities and get more exposure. I also wonder, has he ever played with violin accompaniment? (For that matter, vainikas generally don't).

One thing where he is already good at, but can take it to new heights, would be the playing of kalpanaswaras and neravals, as LGJ had done in his time for the violin. With the right training in laya and manodharma he can really distinguish himself here.

[balavenu]

Thanks for your kind note Srinath.

He is also an extremely good singer and last time I heard him, his voice had broken into the typical adolescent timbre, so it's definitely maturing. I hope he concentrates as much on his singing abilities too and gives occasional vocal concerts. It will also greatly help in giving him many ideas for manodharma.

His vocal training has been with Vidushi Smt Neela Ramgopal for over a year and a half. His voice has broken and will possibly take another year to stabilize. He now finds it difficult to sing along with the Veena at E sruti. He is not ready for vocal concerts yet.

I hope Ramana will participate in competitions too where his immense talent can find opportunities and get more exposure.

Between the years 2012 and 2014 he participated in competitions actively. He won 32 prizes across Veena, Mridangam and Vocal and we stopped there.

I also wonder, has he ever played with violin accompaniment? (For that matter, vainikas generally don't).

A couple of times the concert organizers had themselves arranged Violin accompaniment; save for those occasions he has only played solo . He has played duets with Vid Vittal Rangan and also Violin-Venu-Veena ensemble with Vid Vittal Rangan/Vid M Rajeev, Vid Jayanth/Vid Hemantha & Vid Heramba.

[kvchellappa]

Thanks, Nick. It is your post that triggered such readable info and comments. It is thrilling to know the father-son duo.

[gardabha_gana]

Selfish wish: I sincerely hope he does not get into public performances in vocal and mridangam..... Veena needs him!!

[Rsachi]

Ramana won two awards last week. Kalavanta 2016 and Raga Laya Pratibha.

[rshankar]

Congratulations!

Raga Laya Pratibha.

What is this?

[gardabha_gana]

It's raga laya prabha - awarded for young musicians by Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, one of the (if not the) foremost sabhas today in bangalore.

[rshankar]

Thank you, G_G!

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Am happy that Ramana uses the Saraswati Veena
(not the electronic variant).