Although choosing music as a career was tough when he started out, Ramrao Nayak has no regrets. The Hindustani classical vocalist, who hails from Margao, was recently elected executive committee member of the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalay Mandal
SACHI NAIK
Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist of Gwalior Gharana Ramrao Nayak has for the second consecutive time won the elections of executive committee member of Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalay Mandal.
The mandal has more than 1,000 centres around India as well as in places like the U.K. and Dubai, where the students can learn forms of classical music, vocal and dance and answer the institution exam at these centres.
“For the last term, I was the chairman of examination committee, and I was elected again. I am an artist and it is definitely a motivation for an artist to receive recognition in this form,” says Nayak. “I knew this day would come in my life because of my hardwork, perseverance, and dedication. I have not just learned classical music, I have put in my heart and soul in it!”
Music in Nayak’s life entered quite by chance. Back then, while living in Mumbai with his uncle, his neighbour had long playing records, which he would love to hear. “As a child, I would massage the feet or the back of my neighbour and in exchange get to listen to those long playing records that consisted of classics by renowned classical vocalists like Bhimsen Joshi, Jitendra Abhisheki, Kishori Amonkar. I got so used to all those verses that whenever the record would get stuck, I would complete the verse by singing. My neighbour noticed this and informed my uncle about my talent,” he recalls.
Following this, Nayak joined Mathematics tuition classes in Thane. His tution teacher’s husband, Bhaskarbua Phatak Nayak, became his first guru and Nayak tried his hands at the harmonium under him. He was then introduced to Bhaskarbua Ghodke at the age of 15 years. Ghodke taught him vocals in Gwalior Gharana. “I was his only student. Artists would have no much platform to earn through teaching in those times and so he decided to focus on his business instead,” says Nayak.
When Ghodke asked him to perform at one concert, Nayak met his new guru Atchyut Abhyankar, who was also performing. “He was a very firm, talented, and striking personality. He mesmerised the crowd with his performance, so much that the next singer didn’t perform, saying that he wanted his audience to absorb and relieve this mesmerising performance in their thoughts. I knew he was my guru,” shares Nayak.
While his mother used to enjoy singing bhajans, Nayak became the first person to receive vocal training in his family. “I was so passionate about music that my uncle and father felt that I would never achieve anything in life. Music wouldn’t serve a family in those days, hence artists often switched their careers,” he shares.
Abhyankar would visit different homes to give vocal classes to students, while Nayak accompanied him. It is only with observations that he learned to play and adjust the tanpura, table, and harmonium. “I observed how students would sing wrong and how my guru would correct them, and realised the significance of tune, beat, speed, etc. in music,” he says.
When Nayak came to Goa, another guru, V. R. Athavle guided him. “I understood music in a different way through him like for instance how one swar can change the whole raag, and how one raag can switch the mood,” he says.
Nayak then began taking vocal classes in Goa in 1980 for an organisation called Swarmanch at Margao. But being an artist back then was very difficult. Music was enjoyed by everyone, but they looked down upon it as a career. “Initially everything was tough. There was no much money in hand. We had to spend a lot on rent. However, with time we grew. But there was not even a single day in my life when I felt I must choose a different career. I never looked back because I enjoyed every bit of singing and teaching vocals, satisfying my heart and soul,” he says.
Nayak’s biggest achievement was getting the Sangeet Mahamahopadhyay title at an award ceremony organised by Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalay Mandal, Vashi Mumbai in 2023. “It was unexpected surprise for me!” he says.
Nayak credits his wife Pratima Nayak for all his achievements. “Had she not been there to inculcate values in our children, and look after them through thick and thin, I would have never reached where I am today,” he says.
As a classical vocal artist himself, Nayak believes that every music enthusiast must gain some knowledge about classical music and explore their talent. Those who aim high must never stop ‘riyaaz’ (practice). Observations, listening carefully, and trying it yourself are some things that one must focus on.
“My belief is that the sense of rhythm and music is passed on through several lifetimes (births). Music is so vast that one just cannot learn it in one lifetime, you require more!” he says.
Nayak says that before he came to Goa, there were only six centres where classical music learners and enthusiasts could learn and give the exams, while today Goa has 26 centres. “There are so many talented artists in the extreme remote and rural areas of our country. Our aim is to reach to them, give them a platform to answer their exams and achieve certification which is valid worldwide,” he says, adding that talent in rural areas is often overlooked and ignored.
As chairman of the examination committee, he has a huge responsibility to bear. The theory and practical examinations and mark sheets should be done properly and smoothly. “I never take major decisions of the mandal alone. In fact I welcome thoughts of other prominent members for the smooth functioning of the exams,” says Nayak.
