{"id":6290,"date":"2022-08-25T18:30:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T13:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalmusicinstitute.in\/?p=6290"},"modified":"2022-08-25T18:30:56","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T13:00:56","slug":"in-conversation-with-anirudh-varma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalmusicinstitute.in\/v1\/in-conversation-with-anirudh-varma\/","title":{"rendered":"In Conversation with Anirudh Varma"},"content":{"rendered":"

The \u2018In Conversation with\u2019 series brings to you the stories of various creative professionals from the music industry and provides a glimpse into their journeys. Today\u2019s conversation features New-Delhi based pianist, composer and producer, and founder of the Anirudh Varma Collective- Anirudh Varma<\/a>.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Early Years<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Hailing from a rich family of lawyers and musicians, Anirudh\u2019s aptitude for music was spotted early on by his uncle. Spending his summer vacation in his grandparent\u2019s house in Allahabad, he filled his time playing tunes on the harmonium \u2013 barely reaching the bellow\u2013 by ear. Beginning his training on the keyboard upon his return to Delhi, Anirudh dove deep into the world of Western Classical music. Composition came naturally to him as he progressed in his training and he performed his first composition \u2018Wailer\u2019s Fiesta\u2019, inspired by Bob Marley and the Wailers, for his first keyboard exam for Trinity College, London, at the age of six. \u201cComposition just allowed me to be myself without worrying about what I\u2019ll say because I\u2019m not talking but I\u2019m talking through my music.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simultaneously, Anirudh had a growing affinity for Indian Classical Music. \u201cAround class eight, I got exposed to Indian Classical Music in a contemporary space. By that point, I was emotionally ready to absorb Indian Classical music and I started training in Indian Classical vocals as well to incorporate that into my composition work. When I was finishing school and entering university, I got exposed to a lot of amazing classical musicians in Delhi University. My entire mindset changed and I was very attracted to the emotional qualities Indian Classical Music brings out. I was amazed by how each raaga has a story of its own and how the same raaga can bring out different colours in a given moment. That\u2019s when my transition happened from a very Western Classical pianist to a very hybrid one; and that\u2019s how it all came together for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n