The heart beats for the guitar
When Deepak Srinivas got placed early in the campus placement rounds of his final year at IIT-Ropar, he had a desire to try something new.
Often he would watch videos of Estas Tonne on YouTube. Yes, there was the influence of other guitarists like Steve Vai, Prasanna, and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. But, the manner in which Estas Tonne used the guitar to connect cultures drew Deepak in. Estas Tonne is a Russian guitarist and a street performer. He often tours across Europe to perform in ‘Buskers Festival’, an event where street-performers of music, theatre, dance, etc. perform a prominent role.
Eventually, during a visit to a music store in Chandigarh with a friend in October 2015, he bought a guitar with the internship money he had saved.
Just how he fell in love with the instrument, he isn’t quite sure about. But, he would often miss classes and practice for over three hours every single day during his final year.
What a difference from his childhood days!
At the age of six, his parents put him in a Carnatic singing class. He learned it religiously till his family shifted to Kuwait. In the new country, he was exposed to the world of Violin. And this is what he continued with when his family returned to Chennai a year later. Back in good old Madras, he learned Violin from Lalgudi Srimathi Brahmanandam. This lasted until the rigorous coaching for IIT-JEE took him away from music for a while.
‘I wanted to become a Rockstar’
Ironically, it was IIT-Ropar that helped him return to music. He often sang in college fests and programs which people loved. And then the YouTube videos of guitarists created a passion for the instrument.
“I wanted to become a Rockstar,” Deepak quipped with a smile. But having practiced long and hard, he wanted to bring something new to the table. This is his when he called on to his Carnatic music training.
He was drawn by how Vishwa Mohan Bhatt played the ‘Mohan Veena’ or the slide-guitar. Taking a cue from this, Deepak added a Carnatic touch to his music at his college fest in December 2015. It helped that the audience appreciated this well.
Social Media extended a helping hand
As his confidence in music grew, he decided to launch a YouTube channel to upload his music videos. Thankfully, this was when Facebook added video capturing ability to this app. This made it easier to share recordings on the social media platform. Even the audience could view it instantly.
His first video was this: A tune in the Raag Revathi. This was then shared by Guitar Loves, a popular Facebook page known for sharing videos of guitarists from around the world.
It went viral. Millions viewed his video. People from around the globe responded with positive comments.
And with that push, Deepak created his own Facebook page to promote his music.
Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman
Ask the young guitarist how he creates beautiful covers, pat comes the reply: “I have a lot to thank the two composers — Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman for creating such soulful melodies. They enabled me to create such covers and reach a wider audience.”
Some of his favourite tunes too are from these creators — ‘Senthazham Poovil’ from Mahendran’s 1978 movie, Mullum Malarum and ‘Narumugaiye’ from Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar.
Entry into Films
“Earlier this March, I approached a studio in Mohali looking for opportunities to play for Punjabi films. Apart from recording a session for a Punjabi movie to be released later this year, I also got a chance to record for a few Punjabi single tracks. These will be released after the music videos are finalized.”
The Chennai Music Scene and a longing for Street Music Culture
On a Saturday evening in September, he performed at Luz House for an event called ‘Whole-artedly’ by Lets Talk Life. Lets Talk Life is an initiative launched by Chennai-based author Sharada Vijay and her friend Nandhitha Hariharan earlier this year, to promote open-minded discussions and encourage budding artistes to showcase their talents. More than fifty people were present in the audience to enthusiastically support the performers, from spoken word poetry to music. He was overwhelmed with the appreciation he received for his opening act.
He thanks initiatives like Lets Talk Life and the terrace jam sessions in the city for giving budding musicians an opportunity to connect with the audience. “ These events give a kind of exposure that is easily available for musicians across Europe through the Street Music Culture.” He longs for the day India shall open up and embrace it wholeheartedly.
A musical adventure awaits
Is there a music album on cards?
“I intend to record a music album comprising a few covers with a Carnatic touch. I have bought the necessary equipment. Hope to make the music unique and refreshing to the listeners. I dream of travelling the world to spread Indian music much like my idol, Estas Tonne.”
Balancing Work and Music
Has corporate life restricted his practice? “Not really. I rush home after office hours to practice guitar. But, I can’t call it practice anymore. It has become a way of life and I love doing it. I start playing my favourite songs and then concentrate more on my efforts to perfect them. These sessions begin by seven in the evening and often extend beyond midnight.”
Apart from Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman, he names western bands such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Metallica, and Guns N Roses as his favourites. “I seek inspiration by playing at least one song from any of these bands every day.”
Music is the language of my soul
“Music gives me peace and I would like everyone who listens to my music to be peaceful. There is so much violence in the world right now that I feel it is necessary for musicians to calm the minds of people through music.”, he says with a childlike enthusiasm in his eyes.
