“Music is one of the few things that can connect people instantly. The role of music may vary from one musician to another. For me, it's about making a difference and helping make the world a better place for everyone. Even if we make just one person feel better — and if everyone did that — the world would already be a much better place.”

L.Shankar: The Nature of Music…and Life!

L.Shankar (Shenkar) is widely considered a living legend, a pioneer and a musical genius by his peers who hold him in the highest esteem. Shankar was born in Madras, his parents from Kerala, he grew up in Jaffna, Sri Lanka where his father V. Lakshminarayana was a professor at the Jaffna College of Music. Shankar was exposed to Carnatic music and other styles from an early age. He started studying the vocals at the age of two then violin at five then mridangam at seven. His father was an esteemed violinist, vocalist, his mother L. Seethalakshmi was an excellent veena player and vocalist; all his five older siblings were also proficient in music. At the age of seven, Shankar gave his first public concert, at a Ceylonese temple, Nallur Kandaswamy. In 1958, following the ethnic riots in Sri Lanka, his family escaped to India. In that year, Shankar and his two older brothers, L. Vaidyanathan and L. Subramaniam formed the Violin Trio along with Palghat Mani Iyer which made history in the 20th century Carnatic music scene. He gained a large following performing with some of the most eminent names in Carnatic music, playing all through India, and was highly sought after by legendary musicians such as Chembai Vaithyanatha Baghavatar, Palghat Mani Iyer, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Alathur Srinivasa Iyer and many others. In 1973, John Mclaughlin and Shankar formed the band Turiyananda Sangeet and they co-wrote all the music for it. The band also included Ramnad Raghavan on the mridangam. Zakir Hussain was later added on tabla and the band name was changed to Shakti.

(Photo: L.Shankar)

Shankar is a one-of-a-kind musician venturing in different genres of music. Besides his numerous classical albums he has released worldwide several pop, rock, electronic dance music hit albums and videos including the musical composition of the 2005 Oscar winning documentary, “Born Into Brothels”. Shankar’s work has been featured in the following films: “Queen of The Damned”, “Ali”, “Jennifer 8ʺ, “Robin Hood”, “Jacobs Ladder” and more. Shankar's pop, rock, electronic dance music albums have featured guest artists such as Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Stewart Copeland, Ginger Baker, Toto, amongst others.

Interview by Michael Limnios                         Archive: L. Shankar, 2021 interview

Is there a message you are trying to convey with your music? What is the role of music/musician in today’s society?

I create music for myself first. If people like it, that's great — if not, it's okay with me. I've always made music with the intention of reaching the highest level I can. With each album, I try to take it to the next level, to reach higher places, and to explore new possibilities. Trying is the key — without expectations. You may try, and it might not turn out as expected. Music is always a mystery, and that’s part of the fun in making it. What I enjoy most is the process, not the end result. The message I’m trying to convey in my music is one of freedom, communication, healing, love, humanity, and freedom of expression — uniting people from different parts of the world, cultures, religions, and age groups. Music is one of the few things that can connect people instantly. The role of music may vary from one musician to another. For me, it's about making a difference and helping make the world a better place for everyone. Even if we make just one person feel better — and if everyone did that — the world would already be a much better place.

How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

I prepare every day. I have long practice schedules — except on days when I’m traveling. Every day, I spend hours working on my repertoire across various genres, as well as developing my composing skills. I prepare for life, not just for any particular concert. I’m always ready to play or sing, anytime, anywhere. It’s like breathing to me.I see myself as an athlete — like a long-distance runner. Every musician should prepare like an athlete. I’ve studied many yogis and athletes, and I’ve learned from their methods of training. It's about maintaining a healthy body, mind, and spirit. It’s mind over matter. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I’m only in competition with myself, not with anyone else. There are so many talented people around the world. One should recognize their own talent and work hard to achieve the best they possibly can.

”Animals, birds, and nature have influenced me—and continue to do so every day. When you look at the clouds, you can often tell what's coming: rain, sunshine, or a storm.” (Photo: L.Shankar)

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better musician?

Obstacles are challenges to overcome, and I welcome challenges — they help you grow. The more you learn to deal with obstacles, whether personal or musical, the more effortlessly you can handle life. They make you think. Personally, I like challenges; they’ve given me inner strength and the confidence to move forward. Without moving forward, life has no meaning. One must constantly grow and not remain stagnant — you might as well be dead. The process of struggling teaches you things you would never have learned otherwise. The mantra is: keep trying. Don’t give up. Repetition is the road to improvement. Everything depends on what one wants to achieve in life. Violence breeds violence; love breeds love. Hate spreads fast. The environment we grow up in makes a big difference. If you put your mind to it, anything can be achieved. I practice these philosophies every day.   

John Coltrane said "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

John Coltrane was a great musician who influenced generations of artists. I had also known his wife, Alice Coltrane. I organized a special concert in Bombay, filmed by the BBC and co-produced by Nazareth and myself, titled Bombay & Jazz. My concert featured  musicians such as Alice Coltrane, Don Cherry, Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram, and Trilok Gurtu. It was a celebration of music and life in memory of my father, V. Lakshminarayana. A documentary from that show is available online.

Are there any specific memories from your meeting with the late great Nelson Mandela that you would like to tell us about?!

I was involved in several benefit concerts for Nelson Mandela, along with other American musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and others. After one of the shows, he invited all the musicians to his home. While everyone was gathered there, he came straight to me and said, "You are from the beloved country of India, where Mahatma Gandhi was from." He was a great admirer of Gandhi. We had a meaningful conversation. I have always been a big admirer of Mandela for what he did for his country. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa were extraordinary human beings who did so much for humanity. Such rare individuals come along only once in a hundred years — or even longer.

”Obstacles are challenges to overcome, and I welcome challenges — they help you grow. The more you learn to deal with obstacles, whether personal or musical, the more effortlessly you can handle life. They make you think.”

(Photo: L.Shankar)

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

Animals, birds, and nature have influenced me—and continue to do so every day. When you look at the clouds, you can often tell what's coming: rain, sunshine, or a storm. Animals are extremely intelligent; they have a sixth sense. They can predict earthquakes and other natural disasters. We can learn a great deal from them—they are incredibly intuitive and creative. I’ve had rabbits, cats, dogs, and birds as pets, and I’ve also been surrounded by cows, peacocks, and even elephants during my practice sessions. From them, I learned more about breathing and how to stay calm. Being calm can accelerate one’s growth.

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