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At nine, he is doing fine
IT IS too early to call him another maestro in the making, but the achievement of the nine-year old flutist Siddharth Kumar does indicate that he might achieve the coveted title.
IT IS too early to call him another maestro in the making, but the achievement of the nine-year old flutist Siddharth Kumar does indicate that he might achieve the coveted title.
Siddharth has become the youngest artiste to clear the "Swar Pariksha", an audition test organised by All India Radio.
Altogether 16 artistes participated in the competition with the maximum age limit of 14 years and Siddharth was the youngest among them.
The audition was held on August 27. He was asked to play Rag Yaman, Hansdhwani and Rag Bhopali. According to his uncle, now the child will become an authorised artiste to perform regularly on Doordarshan and AIR.
Rajesh Srivastava, an official of All India Radio, Allahabad, who deals with events concerned with children, said that this audition was held only when those already qualified cross the maximum age limit and a new panel was required.
Siddharth is multi-talented boy and surprisingly he started with learning synthesiser at the tender age of five.
His mother Neelam Mishra was perhaps the inspiration behind his inclination towards music. "I have learnt playing harmonium for three years in Prayag Sangeet Samiti and thus Siddharth grasped the basics," she said.
He has learnt under the tutelage of his guru Sapan Prasanna. Siddharth's father Late Dashrath Prasad, an IAS officer, too was interested in music and always wanted him to achieve something in this field.
The little flute player, who is gradually working his way towards greater achievements, has secured the first and second positions in four national level competitions.
His talent is not confined to music alone. He has also shown his calibre in painting and has won several awards.
President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is his ideal and he prefers watching animated movies, his favourite being 'Hanuman'.
"We will support Siddharth in every respect and hope that he attains a reputed position," said his mother.
