The Hindu Lit for Life 2025: Music and spirituality can’t be separated, says L. Subramaniam-OxBig News Network

L. Subramaniam, the musician in conversation with Akhila Krishnamurthy at the The Hindu Pavilion on January 18, 2025.
| Photo Credit: M. Srinath

We cannot separate music from spirituality, violin maestro L. Subramaniam said in Chennai on Saturday (January 18, 2025) at The Hindu Lit for Life 2025. 

Also see: The Hindu Lit for Life 2025 Day 1 LIVE

In a conversation with journalist and arts entrepreneur Akhila Krishnamurthy, Mr Subramaniam, the creator of the Global Fusion concept and the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival said, if we see the compositions of the great Trinity of Carnatic music, all the compositions are based on praise of some God or Goddess. “Ultimately, the root and essence of music is spirituality. For me, whenever I pick up my violin, I pray to Lord Ganesha, my parents and my gurus, and I want to make music which will take me to a spiritual path,” he said. 

Mr Subramaniam shared in great detail, the crucial role that his father played in his life. He spoke about how his father was disciplined and instilled the idea of sadhana. 

Speaking about being both an artist and an academic, Mr Subramaniam said, it was his parents influence and they said in addition to music, he necessarily had to have a good education as well. 

“Earlier when your parents and guru said, there were no question asked. Whatever happened, I don’t remember any day when he didn’t touch the violin. He taught me the importance of music and practice. Everyday, he would wake up at 4.30 a.m. and practise. He was working more than us. I just wanted to keep playing the violin, was very attracted to it and was very passionate about it. Irrespective of what happened, I wanted to play the violin,” he said. 

Mr Subramaniam noted how in any field, one has to be very passionate about what they want to achieve. “You dream big and then go after it until you realise it. There is no shortcut. People like Palakkad Mani Iyer, T.R. Mahalingam and Rajarathnam Pillai, they have worked so hard and changed the whole landscape of Carnatic music. While they were creative geniuses but they also worked very hard,” he said. 

He also spoke in detail behind writing of his book ‘Raga Harmony: Harmonic structures and tonalities in Indian classical music’. 

Talking about the importance of technique and how consistent practice changes the way one plays, he said, “If you limited in your technique you can only play what can. But my father said if you want to play whatever you feel like, then you shouldn’t have any limitations in technique. He said the only way to achieve it is to practice. I started working hard and after a point, I really enjoyed playing. I didn’t practice for the sake of it,” he added. 

In any field, growth has been because of innovation. Carnatic music has to be heard and people should continue to have interest in it and for this, there has to be innovation, he added.

The Hindu Lit for Life event is presented by KIA India and is in association with Christ University. Associate Partners: LIC, RR Donnelley, Blue Star, Brigade Group, NITTE Deemed-to-be University, PROchure, Singer, Chennai Port Authority & Kamarajar Port Ltd, Uttarakhand Tourism, Vajiram and Ravi, Indian Bank, Akshayakalpa and ICFAI Group. Realty Partner: Casagrand. Bookstore Partner: Crossword. Food Partner: Wow Momo, Beverage Partner: Beachville, Radio Partner: Big FM, TV Partner: Puthiya Thalaimurai Gift Partner: Anand Prakash. Supported by: US Consulate, Chennai, Water Partner: Repute