K Sridhar Indian Classical Musician

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About K Sridhar Indian Classical Musician

K. Sridhar was initiated into the highly structured and precise training of the Carnatic tradition by his mother, a renowned vocalist in her time. He often accompanied her when she sang for many of India's great sages and saints. He descends from fourteen generations of temple musicians including the saintly Narasimha Bhagavater of Tanjore. Within the temple complex there were Sama Vedic priests known as udgatris who would chant at prescribed times throughout the day to accompany the daily worship of the presiding God. Another group of priests known as audiyars would accompany the chanting with song. The essence of this audiyar sangeetam (temple music) forms the basis of modern day Carnatic classical music. Thus, it is steeped in a rich tradition requiring a high degree of discipline, focus, and tonal purity. At the age of five, K. Sridhar began his training on the sarod under the guidance of Z.M. Dagar, an internationally known lineage bearer of the traditionally classical and devotional Dhrupad style within North Indian Classical Music. Interpretation of Dhrupad music instrumentally is not the same as a vocal interpretation. K. Sridhar learned to stretch the limitations of plucked strings and allow one of the world's most complex instruments, the sarod, full range of its expressive voice. His study of Hindustani music was long, rigorous, and challenging. This form of mentorship has all but disappeared from India today.