Himanshu Guru
Classical vocalist Acharya Abhimanyu believes the singer is an individual who is divinely gifted. As a music teacher, his effort is to hone the innate potential of budding musicians…
The vocalist is one who is divinely gifted. However, that divine talent, although bestowed as a blessing, comes as a gift to thousands of listeners who are mesmerised by the voice. Some singers have ascended even higher peaks of achievement. They have not only entertained but also healed listeners with their voice. Classical singer Acharya Abhimanyu, a gold medalist from the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, not only heals, but also creates awareness about the need to inculcate communal harmony through music. Sunday POST chats with the Delhi-based Oriya singer and music teacher about his musical research.
Abhimanyu Sahoo, aged 46, completed his HSC from Hingula High School in Jajpur Road and Plus Two in science from Byasanagar College in 1987. He joined Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar and topped the 1999 batch in Utkal University. He learned classical music under Damodar Hota. Later he moved to Delhi and took rigorous training in Hindustani classical under the tutelage of Pandit Surinder Singh, one of the famous ‘Singhbandhu’ singing pair. Abhimanyu also mastered the intricacies of the Indore style of the late Amir Khan. He is married to Biswa Deepa and the couple is blessed with a son named Kovid.
Acharya Abhimanyu is a consummate artiste, an outstanding teacher and, above all, a visionary. As a musician he excels in the classical, light classical and devotional forms of singing. He says: “Brain psychology and brain philosophy is my education style in teaching music. I can aver that anybody in the age group of 3 to 82 can sing following my instructions. At present I have about 40 music students. This is not a big number, the reason being that I choose only dedicated students who can pour their heart and soul into music.”
Abhimanyu has performed in a number of prestigious concerts like the Pranav Rang Sangeet Samaroh in Delhi in the memory of Pandit Omkar Nath Thakur, Swar Rang Sangeet Sammelan in Delhi in the memory of Ustad Amir Khan Sahib, Sadbhavna Sangeet Samaroh in the memory of victims of the Mumbai terror attack, Kala Sadhak Sangam in Bangalore, Tridhara Sangeet Samaroh in the state capital, Sangeet Sammelan in Mumbai, Kaumudi Mahostav in Bihar to felicitate cultural messengers, Sangeet Sandhya in Noida, Amrit Mahotsav of Pandit Balwant Rai Bhatt in Varanasi, and Special Vande Mataram Gayan on Parliament premises, at Tihar Jail and at the International Yoga Conference.
As a visionary, the music maestro has successfully combined service to music and social service. He organises music festivals and concerts and the proceeds go to needy patients with kidney ailments. He said: “I am the general secretary of Swar Samarpan, a registered cultural organisation which is working with prestigious organisations like AIIMS and Batra Hospital.”
“Conceptualised by me, Swara Samarpana organised the creative concert ‘Music for Moksh’ at the World Book Fair held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi to promote interfaith relations, brotherhood and peace and harmony between Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. The programme was graced by Hindi playback singers Jeet Pramanik, Kavita Bharadwaj and Roopjeet Kaur.
“Music is eternal. It has no religion. It is the only binding force among religions. It has the unique potential to promote peace and harmony in society,” Abhimanyu adds.
The singer heals through music. “Even modern scientists use music therapy to cure incurable aliments. Every human being can and should learn music. I have taught music to children with physical disabilities such as stammering or damaged vocal chords. The unique methods have brought hope, joy and achievement to many students some of whom are professional singers today,” he says.
Abhimanyu has a number of awards and scholarships to his credit including the HRD Fellowship (2003), Rastriya Sanskrit Dut Samman (2005), Gandhi Vinoba Peace Award (2008), Bhagirathi Award (2009 & 2010), Social Activist and Performing Artist Award by Sri Sri Ravi Shanker (2010), Murari Award (2011) and Ekamerashree Award (2012).
He has also explored the different domains of religious music. “Music is the medium through which salvation can be attained. I have lent voice to the Swami Jagannath Maha-Mantra CDs and cassettes produced in Oriya. In another unique effort I have presented Jaidev’s Dashavtar in a multi-media presentation where the scientific similarity between our ancient concept and the latter day scientific research has been incorporated,” he says.
Abhimanyu is an ardent advocate of the hallowed Guru-Shishya ‘parampra’. He says: “I have organised programmes in which three generations of the same tradition are presented and gurus are honoured. A unique feature of these programmes was that of honouring the parents of young students. The initiative was taken since I feel that parents contribute a lot in the making of their wards and hence the creator of the musician should be honoured as well.”
