How Bhargavi Venkatram Is Balancing Her Classical Musical Legacy In Digital World

There is something so soulful about members of a family sitting together and harmonising, their voices weaving a melody that feels both intimate and infinite. For one classical musician from Bengaluru, this scene wasn’t an occasional delight, but rather the backdrop of her upbringing. Bhargavi Venkatram, a Carnatic singer and content creator, comes from a family deeply rooted in music. Her mother, Triveni Saralaya, and aunt, Kavitha Saralaya, are prominent vocalists; her grandfather, H V Krishnamurthy, and father, H K Venkatram, are legendary violinists.

Growing up in this vibrant family, music was second nature to Bhargavi, who could identify different ragas from the young age of two! However, her path in the art form was not so straightforward. “Music wasn’t something I wanted to do when I was younger. I never sat down and learnt it seriously,” she admitted in an interview with SheThePeople. 

Bhargavi’s initial interest lay in classical dance, inspired by her grandmother, Sulochana Saralaya. “I think this is what drew me back to music. For Bharatanatyam, you need Carnatic music and listening to it in that context made me want to formally learn it. My parents never forced me into music and allowed me to explore it on my own,” she shared. Eventually, Bhargavi discontinued her career in engineering to pursue music full-time.

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Carrying Forward A Legacy

Despite being part of a revered musical lineage and the disciple of T M Krishna, one of India's most prominent musicians, Bhargavi's journey was not simple. The contemplation of blending in or standing out and the pressure of living up to expectations weighed heavily on her. She often found herself navigating through expectations beyond her artistry.

"There has always been immense pressure. The realisation hit when I sang my first public concert and found out a lot of people had come to listen to me because I came from this family. So I knew that I'm not just going on stage with my credentials but also because of all the history and all the work that my family has put in," Bhargavi noted.

"What helped me create something of my own was the realisation that I can't control everything. I can only work hard and do my best. This took a while but I figured I have no control over what people think or say about me. If I'm happy with what I do, I'm sure it will resonate with the audience; and those who want to listen to what I sing will always encourage and support me. So I have learnt to shut off the 'noise' a little bit."

Despite the pressures, Bhargavi remained steadfast in her pursuit of individuality within classical music. She believes that while tradition provides a solid foundation, it is through creativity that she can carve her unique path. For Bhargavi, classical music is more than just about performing established compositions; it is an ever-evolving art form.

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Gender Challenges In Music Industry

Like most other industries, the music landscape too is not free from gender bias. "Many times, I feel like organisers do not take me seriously because I'm a woman. They say they'll handle the accompanist and decide everything themselves, even though I'm the one singing... Often, many accompanists even refuse to work with female vocalists."

Bhargavi also acknowledged the often-ignored abuse of power and hierarchy in the music industry, which was particularly evident during the #MeToo movement. However, she noted that the onus of seeking gender equity and fair treatment is unfairly on women themselves. She also addressed the limited opportunities and gender pay gap that hinder female artistes. 

"I've performed at events where my male friend has performed and got double the amount that I did. I had to stand up for myself because I found out how much they paid my friend versus how much they paid me and it was terribly unfair. When I called the organisers out, they never called me back. I don't know if that changed anything for them but I had to do it."

Power Of Classical Music In Digital Age

Besides performing on prestigious stages, Bhargavi also shares her inspiring talent on social media. "When I started posting videos online, many people told me, 'You're posting just 30-second or 1-minute videos. That is not what classic music is. This is not serious music.' But I want to find a way for my music to reach larger audiences," she said.

Bhargavi expressed, "I have got numerous messages on social media from people saying they'd never heard Carnatic music but liked one of my videos and started listening to it. Someone once left a comment that her dad was battling cancer and would listen to my songs every morning and it made him feel good. I find this very powerful. We reach out to a core Carnatic listener at our performances, but how do you tap into other audiences, especially youngsters who don't know much about it?"

Bhargavi Venkatram's journey in Carnatic music is more than just about performing. It is about creating an impact. Through her innovative approach and strong social media presence, she seeks to share the beauty of classical music with a broader audience, showcasing the same charm that initially drew her to the art form though she had not expected it. Bhargavi has emerged as a crusader for adapting traditional art in the contemporary era while also being a voice for gender equality in the industry.