Singer Nihal's Musical Notes

NihalKonduri, or Singer Nihal as he is popularly known as has been busy during the lockdown teaching his students from across the globe over Skype. And during this time he has also composed a devotional song praying to God to come and save us from calamity; a project conceptualised his his senior students who are now teaching in the US.

I have learnt to understand the music, the swaras, and how it makes on grasp the song faster from my Guru, I try and inculcate the same in my students," says Nihal. He also wishes his students both young and senior ones to know the true essence of music and concerts, and he makes it a point to take his students to Chennai during Marghazhi to give them the right kind of exposure,

"In Chennai , very second house will have someone learning the music or practicing, in our Telugu states if we sit to practice early in the morning, there is every chance that the neighbour will file a nuisance complaint with the police. There is no regard for classical music in our Telugu States<" he says.

"But ofcourse, things are changing. We have many young singers who have also learnt Carnatic music making albums and singing fusion," he adds.

"Fusion should not be confusion," says Nihal, whose one of the first songs is the Dikshitarkriti 'VatapiganapatimBhaje' recorded by the then young and upcoming musician RP Patnaik. Later RP went on to give amazing hit film music and Nihal sang popular songs composed by him for films like 'Nee Kosam' and 'Chitram'. Nihal also sang title tracks for many hot serials on television like 'Alaukika' and 'Vishi'. He was at the peak of his career when a job as cultural ambassador working with Indian embassy in Mauritius made him leave everything behind and start on a new journey of exploring world music.

"I truly regret going; however, travelling the world, especially south Afirca, teaching music and learning about Africa music, was a great experience, no less. I felt bad to leave it all when I came back to India," he shares.

It was indeed a comeback when Nihal sang for music director Mani Sarma for the cult film, 'Pokiri'. His song 'Gala GalaPaadutunnaGodarila' remains in people's hearts even today.

Among many memorable moments Nihal remembers vividly the experience of composing music for an album 'Shivoham' and SPB singing his song. "I always dreamt of seeing him from far atleast, and here I was helping Balugaru to learn the song and record it. I can never forget the experience," he shares.

He also mentions singing for legendary music directors, and says if he has learnt anything from the great people he has had the opportunity to interact with it is to stay humble.

Nihal was going through a very sad and depressing phase in his life when director RaghavedraRao, the then Chairman of SVBC, invited him to a programme that the ace director had conceptualised. This was an amazing opportunity to the musician whose first love has always been composing.

Corona has not been able to stop the music Guru. As Nihal is busy moulding young musicians to take centre stage in the field of music; he is also planning to record new albums when life goes back to normal.Singer Nihal, Lockdown, Marghazhi, Music