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Tamil Nadu
Magic melodies, mesmerising songs, mighty dreams
“I didn’t have a formal education in music. My music knowledge came from listening to innumerable songs”
V. Lakshmanan
His troupe was instrumental in popularising light music concerts at all kinds of functions, be they weddings, temple festivals or get-togethers organised by companies. Though the competition has grown, his orchestra has remained the preferred entertainer for over two decades now.
From mimicry artist and music troupe conductor he has become involved in other fields related to music.
Director of Lakshman Sruthi Musicals V. Lakshmanan talks about his orchestra and passions.“It all started as a fun activity during college days when some of us formed a team to perform in competitions. We also began performing at family functions,” says Mr. Lakshmanan. He fondly recollects the days when his twin brother V. Raman, who now co-ordinates events for Lakshman Sruthi, gave proxy attendance for him.
He vividly remembers the launch pad event that drew him to stage performance. “We showcased our talent in a ticketed show on July 23, 1987. It was a big hit.” Since then, Lakshman Sruthi Orchestra has performed 6,000 live shows in India and abroad. His wife and playback singer Malathi Lakshmanan has supported him in his work.
Special shows“We touched our first milestone with a 36-hour Guinness record concert in 1994. Another event that moved me was a standing ovation lasting several minutes from the audience at a concert in Australia.”
One of the special shows had playback singers S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and K.J. Yesudas performing on stage after several years. “SPB sir has performed in about 100 shows of ours. It came as a pleasant surprise when music director Ilayaraja sir performed first time on stage last year for us,” he says.
On the changing preferences of the audience, he says “People now want peppy numbers and the slot for melodies has been reduced to half-an-hour in many of our concerts. We also sing title songs of television serials.”
The emphasis on rehearsals has been the secret behind those near perfect performances of the orchestra. “I didn’t have a formal education in music. My knowledge came from listening to innumerable songs. I interact with youth to find out about the latest trends,” he says.
Asked how the troupe manages to sing songs that have incomprehensible lyrics, he remarks: “I ask the music directors or singers concerned for the lyrics. Otherwise, I write lyrics to match the original lines.”
The orchestra also lends its name to an all-encompassing musical shop and music school. Besides doing television shows it is also organising an annual classical music fest titled ‘Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru’. This year’s festival is slated to begin on December 21. “We plan to bring in Hindustani musicians to perform in the concert next year,” he says.
Mr. Lakshmanan says he plans to open new branches of the musical shop, write scripts and direct movies. “I want to organise a concert with Michael Jackson and choreographer Prabhu Deva. Dreams are the first steps to reality, aren’t they?” he asks.
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