Ranjani Govind‘Music is more than just an inheritance to me,’ says young vocalist Medha Vidyabhushan, in an exclusive chat with Balcony Stories ahead of her musical tour to the US.
Bengaluru: Being the daughter of the renowned Dasa Sahitya expert and Carnatic vocalist Dr. Vidyabhushan is more a blessing than seeing it as a responsibility to take the legacy across, says the musician’s daughter Medha Vidyabhushan 23, an engineer, Carnatic vocalist, actor and Kannada playback singer. “I have grown up amidst the strains of classical music permeating at home, and when I was five my father was more formal in his lessons. Since Haridasa compositions was his distinguished offering, always attracting a sea of requests from connoisseurs at his concerts, for me it was like fish taking to water. And now presenting them in Vidyabhushan styling gives it an edge even as I take them across tech-driven formats and social media,” says Medha who is taking up a US musical tour from August.
Medha who enjoyed her concerts recently on traditional Ramanavami platforms cherishes Vidyabhushan’s penchant for Kannada lyrics, more so as he elaborates on the meaning and musicality. “Most of my Dasarapada classes with appa have been contemplative, the high philosophy embedded in simple lyrics has had both of us in tears. Consider ‘Innu Daya Baarade’ or ‘Indu Yenage Govinda’ one reaches the higher realms to understand the intrinsic spirit embedded in Dasa sahitya. His grooming will stand for a lifetime and more!” says Medha who paints more features into her rendering to have her signature identity.
Medha’s variety online releases and albums cover devotional dasarapadas and classical-based content apart from thematic releases and concept-based albums, many available on YouTube too. Her Kannada playback singing was another branch to expanding her contours, even as she stepped into the world of acting in TV serials and films. “My latest release is a devotional video on YouTube along with my father, a Dasarapada I loved singing with him that is gaining a lot of traction,” she says.
Born in Bellary, Medha’s schooling and Engineering in Electrical and Electronics was in Bengaluru. Over time, Medha says music became more than just inheritance, it was her passion and path. “While engineering gave me structure and discipline, music gave me soul.”
Medha spoke on a host of her passions in an exclusive.
Excerpts of the interview …
Your father Vidyabhushan’s grooming must be a cherished factor for you?
I began my formal music lessons from him from the age of 5, and he is my main guru. Learning from him wasn’t just about notes and compositions, it was about understanding the deeper purpose of music, especially in the context of bhakti and Haridasa Sahitya. Along the way, I’ve also had the privilege of learning many other facets from Vidushi Sandhya Shankar and Vidwan Srinivas Prasanna and I’m currently learning from Vidwan Pradesh Achar. Each of them has added a unique layer to my understanding and approach to music.
Did your parents and upbringing influence you or was it an inner call?
My parents definitely created the atmosphere for music that bears a strong influence. But I truly believe that while your family can guide and inspire, the decision to take it up seriously has to come from within. Not just music, anything for that matter! In my case, it was actually my brother, Anirudh Vidyabhushan, who gave me the first real push. He recognized my potential early on and kept pushing me to take music more seriously, even when I was unsure. That made a huge difference.
As you emerge on stages, do you feel the pressure of keeping up to Vidyabhushan’s stature?
There’s definitely a sense of responsibility when people expect a certain standard with being his daughter and student.
But I try not to look at it as pressure. Instead, I see it as a blessing. To be guided so closely by someone whose values and vision I admire deeply. I don’t want to just “keep up” with his stature. I want to grow in my own space, carry the essence of what he has taught me and add my ‘own voice’ to the legacy. He’s always encouraged me to find my path within the tradition.
Can you mirror your classes from your father, his styling and nuances that will always stay with you…
Learning from Appa is always a very personal and grounded experience. Our classes are always one-on-one, never rushed and never strict. He doesn’t believe in harsh discipline. Instead, he teaches with a kind of calmness that makes me want to do better, not out of fear, but out of love for the art.
He is very particular about bhava (emotion). It isn’t enough to have the notes right. He wants me to feel every word, every phrase of the developing raga. There have been so many emotional moments when we’ve both broken down while singing. I still remember certain compositions that hit us so hard, we just sat in silence with tears in our eyes. Those moments remind me that this isn’t just music, it’s prayer, surrender and something far beyond technique. The emotional depth and the silent strength of his teaching will always stay with me.
Are you taking the Dasarapada legacy in newer formats?
Carnatic music gives me a strong foundation to bring out the depth of these compositions, especially to deal with the lyrical beauty they hold.
At the same time, I’ve been exploring ways to connect with wider audiences through new ragas, simpler arrangements and storytelling formats that help people understand the meaning behind the sahitya. I’ve tried to keep the classical soul intact while making the presentation more relatable, especially for having younger listeners and global audiences.
How did you decide to step into acting, apart from your playback singing interests?
Acting happened quite naturally. I got an opportunity during my college days and I decided to give it a try. I have been a part of theatre! Done a few plays and street plays. I’ve acted in one Kannada serial – Matte Mayamruga — directed by renowned TN Sethuram; and one feature film (The Book, directed by Nikhil Manju, yet to be released), and a few short films. It’s a completely different world from music, but lets me explore emotions in a new way. I have also sung film songs that include Maate for the movie Pidai, and many more that are soon to see a release.
While classical music is my base as I can stay true to my roots, playback allows me to explore different styles and moods.
Meghana Harikumar
Editor
Ranjani Govind
