Since their adolescence, Sangeethakala and Rajyalakshmi, better known as ‘Sangeetha Sisters’, have had the golden opportunity to learn music from their grandfather Kidambi Kodandapani. Kodandapani was himself a well-known musician, before coming to Hyderabad from Mahbubnagar. Renowned Telugu writer Daasarathi, Jnanpith awardee C. Narayana Reddy and Kodandapani formed a close circle in Hyderabad in those days. This confluence of cultural minds undeniably influenced and informed Kodandapani’s music.
Says Sangeethakala, “After our initial training with grandfather, we took advanced lessons in Carnatic classical music from All India Radio producer N.S. Srinivasan and the ‘Hyderabad Brothers’, D. Sheshachari and D. Raghavachari.”
Younger sister, Rajyalakshmi, adds, “I had the opportunity to stay with the well-known Carnatic musician, Srirangam Gopalaratnam, and learn music from her. She treated me like her granddaughter and took me to her concerts.”
Says Sangeethakala, “Compared to other cities, there is a larger audience for light music and film music in Hyderabad. Most television channels and organisers are focused on the popular music genre and the younger generation is also quickly inspired to take up the field that gives them visibility and instant popularity. While this is good, there is a very important need to promote classical music since it is the very root of any music form. There is also a need to allocate more time for music in government schools and educational institutions. Many schools still do not even have a music teacher.”
“I stay in Dilshuknagar, where we do not have any concert halls nearby. I get a very good response from the local community when I organise music workshops,” shares Rajyalakshmi. The love for classical music seems to be alive in Hyderabad after all.
Both sisters have been regularly conducting local music festivals and workshops in the city. “We are working on a project for patriotic songs, Swatantra Swaram, which would have songs in 13 different languages. We aim to spread music to every household through the works of immortal Saints Annamacharya, Bhakta Ramadas, Thyagaraja as well as through the classical renditions of doyens like Srirangam Gopalaratnam, Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna and M.S. Subbulakshmi,” say the Sangeetha Sisters.
