Looking back at his initiation in classical music Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar feels that music doesn’t have any divisions in itself. However there are hierarchies within societies which are projected on Indian Classical Music and musicians. Hailing from a family of lower social class folk musicians, his mother wanted a more ‘respectful’ profession and future for famous Hindustani Classical vocalist Pandit Venkatesh Kumar. And that was the reason he was sent for a disciplined tutelage in Classical Music. He talks about his gharanas and the technicalities associated with them. However, he is still a believer in old school practices and prefers the Miraj Tanpura any day over its digital counterpart!
