Bengaluru: My journey through Raagas
Namaskara to all.
On the 17th of July, 2026, I completed 67 years.
Zeal and passion for singing continued: With that, I completed 50 years of an active performing career in music. Born into a modest traditional family, my father Rama Rao and mother Ambujabai used to sing traditional devotional bhajans and keerthans, which inspired me to take up singing. They were not trained, nor did my native place have any opportunities for learning formally, but my zeal and passion for singing continued.
Sang popular movie songs based on raagas: I joined a local orchestra at the age of 17, and would sing very popular movie songs which were based on raagas including very famous songs from Sandhya raaga, and Shankarabharanam.
Indian classical music on Spanish guitar: My initial career in music spanned across different genres, including film songs, devotional songs, bhavageetes, and also playing Indian classical music on Spanish guitar.
Opportunity to learn from great masters: I joined my Masters degree in history and archeology in Dharwad in 1979, where I had the opportunity to learn from great masters like Mallikarjun Mansur, Panchakshari Mattigatti, and Sangameshwar Gurav at the music department for my course in Sangeeta Ratna, along with my Ph. D.
Shaping a gayaki of my own: My personal intense training under the affectionate guidance of Pt. Madhava Gudi and Pt. Panchakshari Swami Mattigatti allowed me to think beyond the frame of gharanas and shape a gayaki of my own.
Joined AIR and resigned in three years: As luck would have it, I joined All India Radio Bangalore as an officer and resigned in 3 years (1988 to 1991). That was the command of my parama guru Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. This unfolded into a full-length, full-time, professional career in music.
What will you practice for the rest of your life? There were days when after a performance, somebody would come and ask me, “You sang well, but what do you do?” I would say, “Sir, I sing.” He would say, “I know that you sing, but there is a “Dr.“ prefix to your name - are you a practising medical doctor?” I would still say, “I sing.” Then he would still ask me, “But what do you do for a livelihood?” I had another occasion where one gentleman brought his son to learn under me, and after a few weeks he asked me, “Sir, you say there are only 7 notes, so what will you practise for the rest of your life?”
Founder President of Sunaada Art Foundation: I have met profound scholars, musicians, musicologists, and rasikas across the globe. It has been a wonderful experience interacting with all of them. I have performed in all major music festivals within the country and internationally, I have been a visiting professor within and outside the country, I have authored a few books and I have been the Founder President of Sunaada Art Foundation for the last 25 years. All this has been facilitated by music. I have a bunch of students who will carry forward this tradition to the next generation.
A few more dreams to fulfill: It’s indeed gratifying to thank all those who taught me, supported me, wished me, and stood by me. I have few more musical dreams to fulfil, and I look forward to your continued love and support. My guru Pt. Mattigatti would practise Bhairav everyday and he lived for 84 years. I have a lot more to accomplish.
Musically yours,
Dr Nagaraj Rao Havaldar
ಸಂಗೀತ ಪಯಣ, ಚಿತ್ರಣ 👌 ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಆರ್ಕೆಸ್ಟ್ರಾ ಗಾಯಕರೂ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿಯ ಗಾಯನದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರಿಣಿತಿ ಸಾಧಿಸಬಹುದು ಎಂಬುದಕ್ಕೆ ಪಂ. ಹವಾಲ್ದಾರ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿ.. ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಛೆಚ್ಚು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನೀಡಲಿ, ಹೊಸ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಗೂ ಸಂಗೀತ ಪರಂಪರೆ ಮುನ್ನಡೆಸಲೆಂದು ಹಾರೈಸುವೆ.- ಗಣೇಶ ಜೋಶಿ ಧಾರವಾಡ
ReplyDelete