Ranendranath Majumdar, popularly known as Ronu Majumdar is an ace Indian flautist in Hindustani classical music. Majumdar began playing the flute under the guidance of his father Dr Bhanu Majumdar, late Pt. Lakshman Prasad Jaipurwale and finally the revered Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao.
In 1981, Majumdar won the first prize at the All India Radio competition and the President's Gold Medal. In 1996, he received a Grammy nomination for his work on the album Tabula Rasa with Bela Fleck, the American banjo virtuoso. He has also won prestigious Aditya Vikram Birla Award for his dedication to music. Sahara India Pariwar felicitated him with lifetime achievement award on occasion of Jyoti Diwas 2001.
Known for a number of collaborations and jugalbandis he has also composed several pieces in a fusion of Hindustani classical with other forms of music, particularly Western Classical Music, including the projects Carrying Hope (Music Today), A Traveller's Tale, Song of Nature (Magnasound), Kal Akela Kahan (Plus Music). Speaking with Radioandmusic.com Majumdar gives out the essence of collaborations and jugalbandi and expresses delight on good friend Bombay Jayashri getting nominated for Oscar 2013.
Excerpts:
What is the essence of a jugalbandi?
Jugalbandi, is like a mix of two different colours, directions and minds. I always enjoy doing it. In classical music, it works according to the raga. I consider sufi as pulse, heart and humanity. The soul of sufi gives out a spiritual side.
Which type of jugalbandi- vocals or play of instruments do you enjoy?
I enjoy both but vocals have their own beauty.
You have even performed with Bombay Jayashri, how does it feel on her being nominated for Oscars this year?
She is my child hood friend and stays close to my house, so we have worked together and done a lot of jugalbandi’s. I am happy with Jayashri’s nomination but unhappy with the controversy surrounding it.
Allegations are made by the Irayimman Thampi Smaraka Trust at Varanadu, near Cherthala in Kerala, that the first eight lines of the song ‘Pi’s Lullaby’ sung by her in the film ‘Life of Pi’ are a word-by-word translation into Tamil of the popular lullaby ‘Omanathinkal Kidavo…’ in Malayalam by the poet Irayimman Thampi.
I don’t know what will be the result for this and I haven’t spoken to her in this regard. I am going to perform with her on 10 February in Coimbatore. So I will talk to her and know why this controversy.
How discouraging are such allegations?
Controversies are part and parcel of a well-know artist. One has to deal with it and there is no chance of escaping yourself from it. Whatever it is controversies happen.
How is your Sadhana School of Indian Music in US doing?
The school is doing great. I have taken in few Americans in the school and these people have a lot of respect for Indian music. Being crazy is different and respecting music is a totally different idea and Americans have respect for Indian music. We have completed ten years and on 10 July, we are celebrating. I am confident that this legacy will be carried on, even if I am not alive.
What is that one thing that West admires about Indian music?
It’s the spirituality; having said that I don’t mean their (Western) music doesn’t have spirituality. The inner happiness and silence our music gives is what is enjoyed by them.
How tedious is it to keep guidance at school as well as carry on with your live performances?
Frankly, it’s difficult to maintain that balance. Religiously, I have been visting the school in the month of june for the last ten years.
Are you hoping to see your students perform alongside you?
I have seen many perform with me and seen many grow with music. This legacy, will and should continue even when i am not alive.
Which are your upcoming ventures?
My most passionate album on music for children will be releasing soon; we have even worked on the song Jingle Bell for this fusion album. This album brings out the innocence in children. God reflects in the smile of children; I love kids and would love to become a kid again.