A mellifluous journey

Flute maestro Pravin Godkhindi, hails from a family of renowned musicians of Dharwad. He says his attitude and connect with the audience comes from his brief stint with a rock band called BLOF in Europe

As the focus lights change colour on stage, the beautiful melody from the flute unfolds in different hues. One is riveted to the artiste in his bright maroon kurta, lost in the flow of the lilting melody bending back and forth as he balances himself, his curly mop of hair flying with every movement.

The tabla, drums and key board complete the ensemble of rhythm and beats, enhancing the ethereal feel before the music reaches a crescendo and he sings “Krishna” while stomping his foot in synchrony with the deafening applause from the audience.

The fusion band named Krishna is but one facet of the versatile flute maestro Pravin Godkhindi, who has mastered both the ‘gayki’ and ‘thanthrakari’ methods of the Hindustani style as well as fusion music that include light music, Western classical and jazz.

The deeper aspects of ‘laya’ and ‘layakari’ from the Carnatic style imbibed from mridangam maestro Anooru Anantha Krishna Sarma add lustre to the classical form. He started learning to play the flute at the tender age of three from his father Pandit Venkatesh Godkhindi, a renowned flute maestro, vocalist and A-grade artiste working for the All India Radio.

Pravin’s first concert in Goa at the age of six was the beginning of a musical journey that would take him to different parts of the world, winning him appreciation for his skilful rendition, aesthetic appeal and extraordinary stage presence.

In Hyderabad as part of the ‘Tridhara’ programme organised by Surmandal, Pravin Godkhindi recalls his Hyderabad connect and the five years that he spent in the by-lanes of Kachiguda and Ramkote, having completed his tenth class from the Nrupatunga School.

He was also selected for the under-16 cricket team at the time coached by former India captain Mohd Azharuddin. However, a shoulder dislocation during practise led him to abandon cricket and concentrate on music at his father’s insistence.

Dharwad, which was home to great musicians like Gangubai Hangal and Bhimsen Joshi, gave him the opportunity to listen to performances and talks on music and hone his talent even as he completed his engineering degree with distinction.

In Bengaluru to attend job interviews, he also made a living playing for commercials, films and television serials. Since he was making a decent livelihood, he decided not to take up a job and concentrate on his music, a wise decision that helped him carve a niche in the distinguished world of music.

‘Ede Tumbi Hadavenu,’ the Kannada music show hosted by famous playback singer SP Balasubramanyam, made Pravin Godkhindi a household name in Karnataka and also led to another unique programme called ‘Raag Ranjani,’ which he anchored.

Another unforgettable moment is the 2012 concert in which he played along with the legendary Carnatic musician Dr Mangalampalli, Balamuralikrishna and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. “It was a wonderful experience as I had no clue what would unfold on stage.

The music that emerged out of our combination was sublime. It was a blissful experience that I cannot define as I neither felt that I was in a jugalbandi nor that I was an accompanist,” he recalls. Pravin Godkhindi has been featured in some of the most prestigious music conferences in the country and has played for audiences in different parts of the world.

He has many awards and titles to his credit and is the first south Indian Bansuri artiste to be graded top ranking artiste by the All India Radio. He won national awards for the Kannada films ‘Beru’ (2005) and ‘Vimukti’ (2009), and is an accomplished actor, tabla and harmonium player, vocalist as well as composer.

He teaches students at his institute in Bengaluru where his father too taught until he passed away in April this year. Dismissing criticism of fusion music by purists, Pravin Godkhindi says, “My music has a wide bandwidth encompassing different genres.

I connect with the audience whether I play pure classical, film music or fusion. I want everyone to leave my concert with a smile on their face and music in their hearts.” Like the lord whose name his band takes, Pravin Godkhindi recreates the magic of Brindavan as he takes centre stage and mesmerises his audience.

By: Aruna Ravikumar