Music and art passed down from generations

Indian music is divine as it originated from Vedas, says eminent musician Nallan Chakravarthula Butchaiah Charyulu. During a chat with The Hans India, he highlighted the greatness of Indian music by describing it as a God’s gift to mankind. Butchaiah Charyulu who is presently working as a lecturer in Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government Music and Dance College, is a multifaceted personality.

He is a violinist, vocalist, music composer, stage actor and writer. He was born into a musical family in 1957. His father Nallan Chakravarthula Krishnamacharyulu was a famous musician in those days and mother Rukminamma was a vocalist. His grandfather Tiruvenkatacharyulu was a Yakshagana poet.

“I am fortunate to have an opportunity to learn music in college and at home,” he said. His father from whom Butchaiah Charyulu learnt music, was a disciple of legendary musician Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu. His music teacher in college was KV Reddy, who was a disciple of Dwaram. His association with the All India Radio is more than four decades.

He has so far composed music for 72 dance and music programmes. He won accolades for composing music for ‘Goda Kalyanam’, ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’, `Raghavendra Swamy Mahatyam’, ‘Vijaya Vilasam’ and ‘Adi Sankaracharya’. His stage plays included `Pelli Chupulu’ and `Vadlaginjalo Biyyapuginja’.

Expressing his opinion on Vaggeyakaras, he said, “All composers cannot be called Vaggeyakaras. Firstly, a Vaggeyakara must have sound knowledge of Swara and Laya. Command on language and the ability to convey rich philosophy through simple words to commoners.’’

An inventor of new Ragas like Krishnapriya, Rukmini, Santhi, Dharitri and Sukumari, he dedicated the first three to his parents and wife respectively. He also wrote about 200 Keerthanas.

Explaining the slight variation in rendering of Keerthanas, he said, “The rendering of a Thyagaraja Keerthana by a student who was taught by a vocalist and an instrumentalist is slightly different. But other basic things remain the same.”

His wife Santhi and sons Pranav and Koushik are also musicians who participate in his concerts. He is also actively associated with cultural organisations like Vijayawada Music Academy, Krishnamacharya Kala Peetham and Amma Samskrutika Kendra engaged in promoting fine arts. Commenting on the music experiments by present day composers, he said: “There is nothing wrong in being innovative, if the tradition is honoured.”

By HVRS Prasad