Sharath Ravi - To Sustain in the Industry We Have to Keep Updating Our Gadgets as Well as Ourselves (Musician)

"I was born and brought up in Chennai, my mom K. Uma Maheshwari is a Bharatanatyam teacher and my dad M. Ravi is a retired veteran who served in the Indian army as APTI, he fought the Kargil war. As a child I was drawn to percussion instruments because of my uncle Thiru. VB. Madhusudanan is a renowned musician and a Tabla player."

Instagram - @sharathravi

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I was born and brought up in Chennai, my mom K. Uma Maheshwari is a Bharatanatyam teacher and my dad M. Ravi is a retired veteran who served in the Indian army as APTI, he fought the Kargil war. As a child I was drawn to percussion instruments because of my uncle Thiru. VB. Madhusudanan is a renowned musician and a Tabla player. 

I used to accompany him to various stage performances and recordings. Understanding my interest in arts and playing percussions, my parents asked my uncle to start teaching me Mridangam and Tabla when I was in the 4th grade. 

By the time I was in my 8th grade, I started performing for concerts in India and overseas as well. While performing shows as a percussionist, I started learning classical harmonium from kalaimaamani Thiru. Kovai Natarajan. 

With his help, I figured out how to play and compose tunes. Once I finished College, I thought it's time for me to get into the film music industry and so I went to Hyderabad with my brother and mentor Music director Bharath Madhusudanan and started working in the Tollywood music industry. 

After gaining two years of experience there, I came back to Chennai where I am continuing to work as a keyboard programmer and composer. Apart from music I'm a fitness enthusiast as well, I do modelling occasionally and 2017 Peter England MR. India Chennai finalist.


2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music and how did you start?

I was very sure as a kid itself that I'm going to pursue music as a carrier because by the time I finished my schooling, I was performing for concerts and recordings and contributing to my family expenses. 

When you can have fun and make money doing what you do, why not pursue it right? And I have very understanding parents and friends who have supported me encouraged me and sustained me to get me where I am today.


3.Who is your favourite artist and why?

AR. Rahman!! Because he is always up to date. Any new plug- in gets released, he is the first one to get it and use it in India. In 1992 who imagined that a young guy would get the national award for his very first film? No one!! He created a revolution with his sound quality and head room. 

The sound quality of the songs from his first movie Roja, is still so refreshing. Even though technology has improved over the years and we have all these new gadgets and plugins to enhance sound, the sounding he gave us in 1992 is unmatched. 

And he is still and will be the top artist in India forever. Mozart of Madras it is! And I'm proud to say that I've shared the stage with him and performed along with him for 'mersal' movie audio launch.


4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a musician?

To be successful in any industry you have to work, gain experience, face criticism and give up few things in life. Opportunities, fame and money follows people who are ready to do the above and give their 100% to it. 

Being a musician might not get you a Rolls Royce immediately but it allows you to travel the world, play music, make people happy, get to know different cultures and stay sane. Since we live in a technology dominated society, to sustain in the industry we have to keep updating our gadgets as well as ourselves.


5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?

One can be naturally talented and can learn anything from YouTube videos and tutorials. But when it comes to music, I believe that we must definitely learn from a guru. Because music is a form of art which has existed from the time of the big Bang and will probably be there till the end of times. 

It has been passed on from generation to generation throughout history. When a musician teaches his student, he passes down his dynamics and it mixes with the students raw talent to form a different one. Technology can never ever replace a guru. Maatha, pitha, guru, deivam.


6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

Play music from your heart, make sure you love your music because that's when your client and audience will love it. Practice daily, don't give up opportunities, play for your soul, respect and support your fellow musicians and last but not the least, be patient.


7. Which is your favourite book and why?

I was always a sucker for fantasy and sci fiction. I have read all the Harry Potter books and lord of the rings and I loved them.

- Interviewed by - Pratika Dahal