Musicology on Manasa Shastry's mind

Bengaluru: Releasing an album, performing at concerts, learning German, writing poetry and practicing Kathak — these are just a few Manasa Shastry's interests.

A classical singer, she has clear cut views of everything around her and is exceptionally intelligent but she stresses "I am quite forgetful since I am always in three places at the same time." At 19, this Bengalurean is passionate about everything she does, maybe that is why she excels in them!

It is an absolute delight to talk to such an effervescent personality. And when, Manasa begins talking about her music, it feels like we are in a science lecture, "Music is like science, it is very mathematical in terms of the notes and the resonance. It is a discipline for people to explore and create their own sets which can alter the mood of people making them joyous, happy and sometimes empathise. It is not an art form like many say, it is science only if people are able to see beyond that."

All this coming from a girl who is a ‘pure’ science student from Mount Carmel. She began learning music at the age of four, "As a kid, I practiced music because my mom insisted I learn it, but later it became a passion. I cannot remember a single day where there was no music at home, it runs in the family, we wake up to music," she says adding, "I realised music is my calling when I was 14 after which I began taking it seriously and with devotion."

Extremely knowledgeable, she says she has not yet decided on a full-fledged career in music and wants to do something with science which she equally excels in. "I want to learn and experiment new things everyday, currently I am learning German. Instead of singing and composing, I want to do  research in music on a vocational basis."

She has immense respect for her guru Geetha Hegde and many others who she says are responsible for her ‘tryst with music’. She explains, "The support form my family, teachers and my guru is what shaped me today — their continuous affection towards whatever I do, makes me want to achieve more."

Manasa says she is a huge fan of, and is inspired by stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar and MS Subbulakshmi she says, "I love and admire the way they religiously practiced music, I am a huge fan of their work." Her album which was released in her hometown has a compilation of eight songs dedicated to Lord Krishna who she says is her favourite God.

"I love Krishna and it was emotional singing something which was in praise of him — I am sentimentally attached to the album and also glad that my debut album was for Krishna," says Manasa, who practices Kathak and also plays the Sitar.