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| My Music Guru: Smt Meenakshi Anipindi, Suswara Academy, Dallas, - TX! |
My music learning journey though it is not that exciting but is interesting. I have been introduced to Smt Meenakshi Anipindi garu from Suswara Music Academy, when I was in search of a Guru for my kids in Carnatic Music here in Dallas, TX.
Since I was a kid I always enjoyed music and Telugu literature (sahityam), however I never thought of myself getting into singing. When I joined my kids at Suswara, my teacher encouraged me to give music learning a try, as she spotted the spark for music learning in me. I have joined and enjoying the singing by starting with basics of music. I love my Guru’s passion for Carnatic Music and her dedication in passing on this fine art to next generations being in foreign country, which mesmerized me the most and gave strong roots for me to learn the music (Sangeetham) without giving up.
Then I have been introduced to Music Exams, initially that looked like a big commitment to sign up for 4 years of mandated learning in music, my teacher explained how these exams will provide a structure for guided learning and that looked convincing, so I opted for Level 1 exam in 2017. After that first exam, my personal feeling is that Theory and Practical curriculum that is set for each Level of exam act as a guide and targeted goal for learning. The theory structure provided immense knowledge about the fundamentals and mechanics of music, that acted as counterpart to practical (singing) knowledge which made the music learning wholesome. It was really hard for me to manage family, work, music learning and preparing for exams, many times I thought of giving up, but my teacher’s dedication and hard work in teaching music, kept inspired me and made me stay on track to complete all the levels. After finishing Level 4 in 2021, I was so happy that one of my music learning goal is accomplished. I am so thankful to my Guru, Suswara Academy, Padmavati University and the Staff, for providing such a great opportunity and creating a platform to be able to appear for music exams from here in United States.
Though finishing advanced diploma in Carnatic music made me happy for fulfilling just one level of music learning goal, but the pure BLISS in my music journey is when I was able to perform a Solo Concert on the stage under my Guru’s guidance and presence, and now the JOY for me is my ability to sing for self or for others, help my kids and other kids in their music learning.
I truly feel like My Music Journey has just began now and will continue forever, since Learning is a continuous process for Life Long and especially a fine art like Carnatic Music is vast as Ocean and there is always more to learn with no means to an end.
Mythreyi Vattikuti
