Malaysian teen siblings connect to their Indian roots through music

Music not only hones skills but also fosters confidence in Kirthy (right) and Darshena as they embrace their roots. Photos: The Star/P. Nathan

Darshena Varni Jayakumar, 14, may look like a shy teenager, but put her behind a veena (traditional Indian chordophone instrument) and she instantly shines, expressing herself through music."I've always been a curious kid with a passion for music. I developed an interest in the veena when my younger sister, Sharvina Varnia, 11, started attending classes in 2018," she says.

"I would sit in the classes, and over time, I decided to sign up for lessons myself," adds Darshena, 14, during an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

Both sisters are enrolled at Kirthiga Natyaalaya Arts Academy (KNAA) in Pandan Perdana, KL, where they also take South Indian classical dance bharatanatyam lessons, on top of sangeetam (vocal) classes.

Darshena, a Form Two student from SMK Seri Bintang Selatan, recognises the importance of learning traditional Indian musical instruments to learn about, and connect with her culture.

The veena challenges me, but its soothing melodies make all the practice worth it, says Darshena (centre). Photo: Kirthiga Natyaalaya Arts Academy

"I think it is important for young people to learn these instruments, as they are a part of our history and heritage. It is more about preserving our legacy. Kids need to know that these instruments exist and they are part of our musical tradition.

"Our grandparents learned them, so it's important that the newer generations don't forget them too," she says.

Kids Music Day is celebrated on the first Friday in October in many countries across the globe, highlighting the benefits of music education for children.

It is a special day to recognise how music enriches their lives of children, fostering creativity, confidence and connection in the young.

Published in the journal Educational Research Review (2022), a study reveals that in children and adolescents, learning to play an instrument has a positive impact on cognitive skills and academic achievement.

"Children and adolescents who self-select musical training tend to have better performance at baseline," the study says.In a 2013 research on how musical training affects cognitive development, researchers found that it "hones temporal processing and orienting of attention in time, that may underlie enhancements observed in reading and verbal memory."

Musical training, the researchers conclude, "uniquely engenders near and far transfer effects, preparing a foundation for a range of skills and fostering cognitive development."

Made from solid wood, the veena requires precise finger techniques.

Solid structure

Imported from South India, Darshena's veena costs RM2,800 and is made from solid wood like jackfruit or neem tree, to enhance its acoustic properties.

The veena has two types of strings: the main strings, which are used to play the melody or tune, and the 'taalam' strings, which make a rhythm or beat when plucked.

Darshena says the first few months of learning the veena were challenging due to the complex finger movements required to play the instrument.

"There were many times I wanted to give up because it was so difficult, and my fingers would hurt. But I didn't quit because I have always loved music. It takes a lot of practice, but I feel happy when I play the veena.

"Its soothing and melodious sound brings me so much joy," says Darshena.

She is a fan of South Indian veena maestro Rajesh Vaidya and often hones her skills by watching YouTube tutorials to improve her skills.

Kirthy says the soothing melodies of veena help calm her.Her veena classmate, Kirthy S. Ramesh, 16, has been playing the instrument for seven years. Her interest in the veena originates from her aunt, who was a player. Now, this Form Four student proudly plays her aunt's veena, which is nearly 30 years old.

"It was my aunt who encouraged me to learn to play the instrument. I was also drawn to it because it looks cool – almost like a guitar," says Kirthy, who is studying the Grade Three syllabus from the Bridge Academy, an examination board based in Tamil Nadu, India.

Kirthy, who is also learning bharatanatyam at the same centre, finds satisfaction in playing the veena, despite its many challenges.

"To play the veena, you have to balance it on your lap and use both hands – one to play the main strings and the other for the 'taalam' strings. It is heavy and requires steadiness by the player, especially when you're playing for a long time.

"But learning the veena is worth it because when school gets stressful, the soothing melodies help calm me down," she shares with a smile.

Family bonding

Darshena and Sharvina's mother, Kuguneswari Kugan, 45, decided to enrol in veena classes at the centre in 2019 after seeing the joy it brought to her two daughters. Kuguneswari is in Grade 1 of her veena lessons.

"When they first joined the veena lessons, I would spend two hours waiting in the car while they attended their classes. To make the most of that time, I decided to sign myself up.

"My girls and I are in the same class. When I make a mistake, they are there to support me. I have noticed that our bond has grown stronger since we do this together.

"Since they began their music lessons, I've seen many positive changes in their behaviour. They are patient, understanding and calmer," says Kuguneswari, who works as a vice-president (group transaction banking) at a bank in Kuala Lumpur.

In an age where many children are glued to digital screens, Kuguneswari believes that learning a musical instrument is a better option for them. It not only helps kids stay focused but also promotes a sense of well-being.

"The reason my husband and I encourage them to join traditional music classes is to help them spend their time wisely and reduce their screen time. My kids are busy with school, music and dance lessons, so they don't crave devices. Now, my girls are excited to complete their 'arangetram' (formal debut performance) for veena and bharatanatyam in a few years," says Kuguneswari.

Drumming to the beat

Thamaraiselvan Pandian, 19, was encouraged by his parents to learn the mridangam – a double-headed South Indian drum – at KNAA when he was 14.

Like many students, he initially wasn’t interested in the traditional instrument and preferred more modern activities.

Thamaraiselvan believes that practice and dedication are keys to mastering musical skills."The biggest challenge was mastering the hand placements and applying the right pressure on both drum heads to produce a good sound. "However, with the encouragement of my teacher and lots of practice, I slowly developed a liking for the instrument," says Thamaraiselvan, who is pursuing a diploma in nautical science at Akademi Laut Malaysia (Alam) in Melaka.

He believes that practice and dedication are the keys to mastering music skills. "If you play a musical instrument, practise often. I try to practice five times a week. Consistency is crucial, and it's important to practise every day."

His younger brother, Balamurugan Pandian, 14, who plays the tabla (a pair of hand drums), agrees.

"Practice helps me get better every day. If you spend just 30 minutes each day playing an instrument, you'll be able to consistently improve," says Balamurugan.

Both of them have played their respective instruments at several Hindu religious events.

Megenthiran (top left) observes a growing interest among students learning to play the tabla.

Megenthiran Raman, 37, a tabla teacher at KNAA, has observed a growing interest among Malaysian students in learning traditional Indian musical instruments such as the tabla, dhol and mridangam.

"These instruments are gaining popularity due to their versatility, offering a broad range of sounds and rhythms that can be used in classical, pop, and fusion music genres.

"Social media has also played a key role in sparking interest among younger generation," says Megenthiran, who also plays the dholak and drums.

However, he points out that fewer students are taking up traditional South Indian instruments like the thavil (a barrel-shaped drum), kanjira (a frame drum), and ghatam, largely due to a shortage of qualified teachers in Malaysia.

"Many aspiring musicians have to travel to India for proper training in these instruments. If we have more local instructors, we can preserve and promote these unique musical traditions," Megenthiran adds.