chat-with-artist: Vid B Shankar Rao

It is always inspiring and motivating to meet Artists and discuss their life and art. And if they are very elderly, then it is even more interesting as they revive their nostalgic memories. Their experiences transport us to a different world altogether bringing alive all those vintage images of old India and our good old culture.

Very few of such experiences are so emotional that they are good enough to change our thinking style. Their aura or persona changes our principles in a matter of minutes.  I had the good fortune to meet one such artist last year – Vidwan B .Shankar Rao, Flutist, who is 93 year old and teaches in the Carnatic classical genre. A winner of many Awards including the Rajyothsava Award among others, he is an active Teacher even today teaching 30 students at his residence in Bangalore.

The words may appear simple and common but when it comes from such an elderly person, it is always meaningful and reliable as it is based on their life experiences.

Vidwan B Shankar Rao worked as a Postman for most of his life but his passion for Carnatic classical music made him come home often from his place of posting. Finally he settled in Bangalore. Till date he has given many flute concerts not only in many places in India but also abroad. He has received many accolades and awards throughout his music career. The prestigious Rajyothsava award was conferred on him in the year 2008.

 Vid Shankar Rao with his wife

We talked for more than an hour right from the start of his musical journey, his teachers, his first stage performances, his trips to the villages of India due to his post office work, up to his recent Rajyothsava Award. In between we also talked about the technicalities of a concert in the electronic -less age. He reminisced about the audience who used to maintain pin drop silence during the concert as it was performed without any Microphone or Speakers.  As such the music that evolved was pure and was without imperfections. It was a challenge for the Musician to perform at his best as legendary Musicians used to attend even small concerts. He even recollected how he passed the music audition test in Madras. The last phase of the conversation was a bit more serious, as it was about his thoughts about life. He concluded with his wonderful quote which I stated above – “You have to be sincere in life to be peaceful”

Though his work as a Postman with the Indian government did not give him the liberty to play the flute as much as he wanted, it made him travel everywhere attending concerts and giving concerts. Today he is 93 years and runs a music institution called ‘Prapancha ‘ which aims at teaching music to the next generation. He says he is happy with what he has achieved now and also happy that he can still do what he likes! Isn’t that a wonderful way to live? I was awestruck by his charm and the glint in his eyes. Definitely those moments with him will be one of the best moments of my life.  My Sincere thanks to my good friend and well known Cartoonist Sridhar Comaravalli for introducing me to such a towering personality.