Being the grandson of the eminent Hindustani classical singer Kumar Gandharva is a blessing and a huge responsibility, but Bhuvanesh Komkali seems to manage it effortlessly. In Hyderabad to perform at the Jashn-e-Deccan show, Komkali takes time out to talk.
“To belong to a family of such gifted musicians is a blessing, but it is also a challenge and I try to conquer that everyday,” says Komkali who has visited the city three times prior to this performance. “I’m very happy that I got a chance to perform here, it always feels nice to be back in Hyderabad,” he adds.
For the world, Kumar Gandharva was an immensely talented singer who had a massive following, but the equation that Komkali shared with his grandfather was completely different. “I never learnt music from him, but we shared a warm relationship. I was a naughty child and would trouble him with my antics, but he would patiently bear me,” says Komkali while laughing.
Despite not learning music from him, he couldn’t help but imbibe qualities from the legend. “I learnt a lot from his mannerisms and how he lived. However, after he passed away it was a conscious decision to absorb his teachings in my work,” he adds. Ask him what his favourite memory of his grandfather is and he says, “I have so many, I can’t select one. But I do remember that sometimes, after he finished his work for the day, he would come up to me and say, ‘Chalo bahaar chalte hain’ and we would go out,” says Komkali.
Having given several performances during his journey as a musician, Komkali says that sometimes, fans of his grandfather are there at his events. “I believe that they want to see a glimpse of my grandfather in me. But that is something that will take time and a lot of hard work. To reach his level of greatness is not an easy feat,” he explains. With everyone gearing up for the new year, Komkali says that he only wants to strike a balance between his personal and professional life. He adds, “Whether I have a lot of projects on hand or not, I only want to keep making music for life.”
