Age is a state of mind. It’s nothing but a number. This was evident when Newskarnataka caught up with Madhav Bhat, a versatile and veteran musician in the city. Madhav Bhat speaking at length on his life and philosophy began by saying that that he had no plans to give up his passion – teaching music – he took up 25 years ago. “The experience is really the educator, and the more experiences you have, the better you are at any job. You have to like your job”, he says.
He is in his 70’s, but feels and looks 20, continuing to teach and encourage students to learn music. He teaches instruments like Tabla, violin and Harmonium. Along with instruments he teaches Hindustani classical music. His voice, even at 70 vibrates with chords of youth.
Born to Kaveriyamma and Subraya Bhat from Kasargod on October 9, 1941 – just 6 years before the independence of India, Madhav Bhat learnt his music from Guluvadi Rathnakar Bhat at Samartha music school. He started teaching music 25 years ago, and still does, at the Sandesha foundation for music and arts.
Age does not prevent him from coming 6 days a week to Sandesha to spend time with students, encouraging and honing their interest and ear for music. His style of teaching has endeared him, not only to the students and kids, but also to IT professionals and doctors from the city.
His prescription for students – a minimum 2 hours of practice every day. Music is all about practice, practice and practice, he says.
When asked about the difference and degree of difficulty between Western music and Indian music, he said, “The present generation finds Indian music difficult. If you are really interested to learn it then you will surely come to know that it’s very sweet, smooth and can reduce your tension”. That is indeed an incentive to learn Indian classical music.
Bhat loves to listen to music of Indian music legends, Bismillah Khan, D V Palaskar, Bhimsen Joshi, Parveen Sulthana. When asked about his favorite musician, he said, “ My favorite is Kishori Amonkar”.
Bhat has rendered his melodies on various stages across the country including at Solhapur. He also worked for All India Radio Mangalore for a couple of years. He has received many an honor and award for his dedication to music.
“There’s no stopping, you just keep going – I love the work and I love the people around me”, he says.” If you don’t like your job, don’t stay. Find something else to do, because it will never work out.” He adds for good measure. He does not need the money. “Money is cheap” I’m working here because I enjoy it. “The part-time job of teaching music keeps my mind active”, he asserted.
When asked what he would advise the youth of today, he said “ I have no advise, except learn to love what you do.”
Bhat enjoys the company of his students and is often found cracking jokes with his students and the many guests that come to Sandesha. One of his students said , “I come here to learn music after my duty. But looking at sir, I get inspired. He is truly a inspiration to all of us. At this age most of the people sit at home. I am proud to have him as my music teacher”.
