Gender no bar for music

Rajrupa Chowdhury is a woman in the men’s world of sarod. Rarely do you find a female sarod player, but thanks to her maternal uncle, who suggested that she learn to play the instrument, a five-year-old Rajrupa was initiated into the world of music.

The artiste who will be performing at the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi National Festival of Music and Dance in Hyderabad on Friday, says,  “Sarod is quite a heavy, masculine instrument. You need to have a good grip on it before playing it.” She adds, “I have observed a deep curiosity among the audience.

Many times before my performance, people want to see if I can play well. Later, they come to me, saying they are surprised to see me playing with such power and robustness as the men do,” she says. According to Rajrupa, art and culture have nothing to do with gender; as artistry and an aesthetic sense are qualities which come from within.  

She says, “As a kid, initially, I was forced to sit for my practice by my mother. Gradually, a sense of attachment to my music started growing within me. Whenever I was not playing the Sarod or studying, my mother used to switch on the recorder and would play classical instrumental or vocal music. I love to listen to old Hindi film songs and romantic tumris. I also have a deep inclination towards Western Classical Music.” Whenever there is some free time, Rajrupa makes it a point to either read books or watch films. “Of course, spending time with the family is of utmost priority” she says.

— The writer is a musician,creator of the ‘Jaywant Guitar’ and a freelance photographer