Dr L Subramaniam launches "Violin from the Heart"

New Delhi Sep 11 (UNI) Eminent violinist Dr L Subramaniam today launched his first ever biographical film and a documentary on him by Music Today titled "Violin from the Heart".

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Subramaniam said when after studying medicine, he wanted to devote himself to classical Indian music, he was criticised by many. However, his parents stood by him and told him to do what he loved to do, what he was passionate about. Thus started his journey on the path of classical Carnatic music.

Talking about the journey so far he says music is his only expression and all the name and recognition he enjoys today is the result of hours of the 'saadhna'.

"Violin from the Heart", directed by Jean Henri Meunier, is a walk down memory lane, as the legend remembers his initial years of training under his father, early years as a performing artiste and playing with all time greats like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and M S Subbulakshmi.

Talking to media persons after the release, Dr Subramaniam said such events and attempts enlarge the arena for the Indian classical music.

Answering a query on the controversy generated by "Vande Mataram" on the national song's centenary, he said, "we are all Indians first and divisions start later. We should have a feeling that we are Indian and for all these years we have been co-existing happily." On his association with several international artistes like guitar legend Larry Coryell, flutists Jean Pierre Rampal and eminent violinist Lord Yehudi Menuhin among many others, he said says he was always open to other musical forms and wanted to draw from the best of both worlds-Western and Indian classical music.

Speaking on the Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, he said Khan Sahib was "not only a great musician but a gem of a man who lived for music denying all worldly pleasures." He said he derived his inspiration from the sound, nature and events. Whether he felt any competition from other musicians and from the popular Bollywood music, he replied with a shy smile that music is devotion for him instead of competition.

He described his journey from pure Carnatic classical training to Western classical music as "a memorable and enriching experience" that has moulded him into more versatile artiste.

Describing violin as the best and most expressive instrument and his "most important companion for life", Dr Subramaniam hopes to collect 108 violins, he already treasures 30 of them.

Along with "Violin form the Heart" he also formally launched "My Golden Years", "Global Fusion" and "Anthology of South Indian Classical Music" by Music Today.

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