Growing up in the house of her famous poet-father Chandrakant Deotale, violinist Anupriya Deotale’s spent her childhood listening to protest poetry and prose. This is why, perhaps, music is in her genes. Ever since Anupriya started playing the violin, it single-handedly plays the most crucial role in her life.
From every corner of India to most parts of the world, Anupriya is revered, not only for her music but also for her ability to take classical music to a new level. Starting her musical journey with classical vocals, learning violin was a moment of chance and interestingly she learnt the instrument from maestros Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pandit Ram Narayan.
“I started my musical journey with classical vocals. As a kid, the deep and melodious sound of violin used to attract me. I decided to learn this instrument and ultimately it has become my destiny,” says Anupriya, who was recently in Mumbai to perform in Saz-e-Bahar festival at NCPA.
She enjoys playing her own style of North Indian classical music on the international instrument. The veteran musician feels that every performance has enriched her with creativity. “My love for the violin has helped me to fill the spiritual insights,” says the performer, and adds that her inspiration throughout her career has been her poet father. “My father is my inspiration and being a daughter of a poet, it has given me a bigger canvas to portray my emotions and thoughts.”
A firm believer of experimenting on the stage, Anupriya has given her father’s poetry a new life through her violin, becoming the only musician to combine modern Hindi poetry with violin. “It’s my responsibility to spread his writing and North Indian classical music through the violin across the globe and I am trying to fulfil that,” muses the artiste.
In her illustrious career, Anupriya has earned many awards and accolades to her credit, however the one that stays close to her heart is the prestigious Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and Nazakat Ali Khan Award which she received in Lahore, Pakistan in 2004. Apparently, Anupriya is the first Indian musician to receive this award. She is also the first Indian classical female musician to be recorded for a programme by the Pakistani television.
“It is the most memorable experience for me to perform in front of all renowned maestros in Pakistan,” recalls the musician.
So far, Anupriya has not only worked with Indian veteran musicians, but musicians from Germany, France and Réunion Island as well. She has been performing at various international stages in different countries like Japan, Mauritius, Bahrain, Hungary, Slovenia, Singapore, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bangladesh, Nepal and many more. “I had many memorable concerts in Europe. I am happy to see a versatile audience for Indian classical music in different parts of the world,” she signs off.
