The story of a violinist seeking to reinspire spirit in Indian classical music.

Akshay Soman isn’t your average Company Secretary with a background in commerce. His journey into music and the violin began at the tender age of 3. It soon developed into an addiction, and today, Akshay is on the brink of leaving a comfortable job for his passion. He has taught and is in the process of learning the violin for the past 27 years. For the 31-year-old violinist, however, his devotion to the cause of Indian music and his craft is just beginning.

“I plan on giving my resignation to my job this month,” says Akshay. “It is my firm and resolute decision to undertake only music as my life. I am currently the vice-principal of our music organization, Gurukrupa Violin Sangeet Shastra Vidyalaya.” Established by his mother, Rashmi Soman, in 1989, the demography of their students range from the age of 3 to anyone in their 50s. “Our point is to let people know that violin is for anybody and everybody to learn and that we can teach them as simple as it gets, but no easier,” he adds.

Akshay is also part of 24Bits Entertainment, an organization that undertakes various musical shows. Their vision lies in the advertisement of classical Indian music for the more massive crowd. “We have been lucky to conduct events with celebrated musicians such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Ustad Rashid Khan. Bringing their magic to Pune has been an honor for us.” The start-up has also been fortunate to take direction, advice, and workshops from Zakir Hussain. The nature of their work can entirely take the shape of charity too!

An artist finds dissonance in reality. He brings into existence a wholeness that then defines itself as art. While the appearance of an act can draw ecstasy to the viewer, what is in it for the artist when he leaves his job? “There are two ways for me to answer this. Violin is the closest thing to me in reality. My affection for it grows by the second. There are, however, sacrifices and choices to make. To indeed achieve greatness with the violin, one must invest a colossal amount of time. This life isn’t compatible with a run-of-the-mill one. I gave music and the violin priority in life, and then let the bricks fall into place. I have been lucky to have been presented with opportunity and scope for it,” he empathetically says.

“The other reason remains for the revival and advancement of shastriya sangeet (classical music). We can already identify a growing population driven towards it. However, knowledge and real education of the same remains very esoteric, and therefore very limited. There is a joke in Pune: if you are into classical music, it means you only attend Sawai Gandharva, a mega-event advanced by Bhimsen Joshi, but no further.” Akshay remains dedicated to the cause of changing these facts, and to that end also pursues learning and teaching western ideals.

“One can truly begin to learn, experience, and identify the joys associated with classical music after spending an inordinate time dedicated to it. In my opinion, it takes 15 years of intense riyaz (practice) and tapas (tenacity) to begin to appreciate the same.” It, therefore, makes sense that combined with the ideals of growing his knowledge as well as pursuing such grand virtues, one must eventually part of the professional life.

Akshay and his institution also have a lot of achievements to their credit. “We are completing 30 years of imparting knowledge on the violin,” he adds cheerfully. “We also boast of a rich variety of shows undertaken for children from children. Last year, 100 violinists from 13 branches of ours came together in a mega-event which remains a bright highlight for us.”

“Gurukrupa Violin Breathless is the name of a group of us who tour Maharashtra. It is currently composed of 15 people. We also make use of western symphonies,” he says. “Just as people can sing ‘breathless’, so too does classical violin come closest to the human voice concerning emulation. We wish to prove that point.” Akshay’s highlight is in broadening his horizons steadily. Alongside a bevy of violinists, the addition of guitarists, pianists, drummers, and tabla to their company makes that clear.

He then moves on to personal achievements. “I’ve recently completed an MA in Sangeet Alankaar. That took me 15 years of which I regret no second. My thought is to pursue a Ph.D. in violin this coming year.”

Two years down the line, Akshay sees a reinvigoration of Bharatiya shastriya sangeet. “Frankly speaking, it is the big names in the industry that are taking the high leaps forward for our dharma. Our contribution stands little in front of them. It is their legend that keeps the sangeet alive.” However, he firmly believes that is the workload of everyone to push boundaries of classical music.

“India shouldn’t be identified with Bollywood music in my opinion. That concept is already changing as we have foreigners coming to Mumbai and Pune to learn our arts. This is a shining example of the tide that will turn. Numerous institutions dot Indian music’s landscape, ours being one of them. Thus, I believe that good times are indeed coming, and it will be our combined effort that shall achieve this,” he concludes.

In parting words, Akshay shares his vision for himself. “I will go as far as music will take me. This is my struggle. My idea is to build my style with my own hands. We must remember that music has no end, the horizon only expands. Violin is already an internationally acclaimed instrument, but to receive salutations for my style of it is a different story.”