S Akash, the little flute master

Indian classical music seems to be in safe hands when you see youngsters take to Indian instruments and perform on the big stage from a tender age. This 12-year-old boy from Bangalore has already performed at various concerts across the country and is being touted as a prodigy. S Akash, who comes from a middle-class family in Bangalore, picked up the flute even when he didn’t understand what it was all about.

“My cousin used to play the flute and I used to often see him play. I always liked it. Dad tells me that I heard flute playing on the cassette one day at home and was fascinated by it. After that, I just went straight to the flute, picked it up and started playing around with it. I don’t even remember this story because I was too young. I don’t remember when I started playing,” says Akash.

Having played around experienced classical musicians like Ghulam Abbas Khan and the Kashyap brothers, Akash isn’t in the least bit intimidated by big names and large crowds coming to watch him. In fact, he loves to perform. “I also play the piano but the flute is my first love. I really enjoy playing it in front of a big audience,” he says.

Akash has been training in Hindustani classical music under flute maestro Ronu Muzumdar for five years now. “He is very kind and generous to me,” says Akash about his guru. Akash often makes trips to Mumbai to take classes from Muzumdar. Sometimes he has to miss school for his classes and live shows but being a good student helps. “I got 80 per cent last year,” he says proudly. “My teachers and my school help me a lot,” he adds.

He practices the musical instrument for about 2-3 hours every day. “I practice mostly in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. But I never count the hours. I just go on practising,” says the little flute master.

At this tender age, Akash has been inspired by many musicians. He has heard a lot of music by the maestros and even attended their concerts. “I like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, my guru Ronu Muzumdar sir, Pandit Jasraj and many others. Almost all the senior musicians have inspired me. I will play the flute even when I grow up. It’s my passion,” he says.