Sri Krishnashtami is round the corner and what soothes one’s ears is the lilting flute that touches the lips of Sri Krishna. In the Nawabi Sheher, Vidwan Shesham Ramana is wooing the Hyderabadi audiences with his ‘Venu Ganam’ and teaching the art to young boys and girls through his academy, Naada Ramaneeyam. According to Shesham Ramana: “Naada Ramaneeyam (Venu Gaana Sabha) is a non-profitable cultural organisation established to bring the dream alive of beloved Guru Sri V Nagaraju garu, who wanted to see a Sabha exclusively for promotion of Instruments in Carnatic Style, aiming to build the Kacheri Sampradaya.”
Ramana says that his organisation was the first to perform the Ghana Raaga Pancharatna Seva, exclusively on flute with around 30 students, on the occasion of Thyagaraja Aaradhanotsavam in February this year at Sri Venu Goplala Swamy Temple, behind Forum Mall. The artist has also lent flute support to various noted dancers in their dance performances across the country.
Shesham Ramana, who hails from a highly cultural and traditional family of Hyderabad, after arming himself with a Degree in Commerce from Kalinga University, Raipur, veered towards his passion, music and began learning Carnatic classical music. Kanchi Kamakoti Vidwan Shesham Ramana began learning flute from Sri V Nagaraju Garu, a top graded artist and staff artist in All India Radio, Hyderabad, who hails from the traditional Flute School of Sri Manda Balarama Sharma Garu. The flautist created a special mark in learning flute in a very short period and reached performance level. He has been fortunate to accompany his Guru Sri Nagaraju Garu in various concerts and won applauses.
Determined to learn many musical instruments, Shesham Ramana began pursuing Mridangam from Sri K Rajagopala Charya garu, Mridangam lecturer in Thyagaraja Music and Dance College, Hyderabad, who is the disciple of the Legendary Kolanka School of Mridangam. His in built Laya Gnyana helped him master the Mridangam too and he was soon accompanying well-known vocalists and instrumentalists. However, his heart was set on the Venu Ganam and he chose to follow his love for playing the flute.
Flautist Shesham Ramana has been performing in many concerts at various prestigious institutions, temples and music sabhas across the city and country. He has performed in Nada Neerajanam, Sri Yadagiri Gutta Devasthanam Brahmotsavam, Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival in Vignan Samithi, Hyderabad, Sadguru Sangeetha Sabha, Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, Nada Bharathi, Sangeetha Ksheerasagaram, Hyderabad, and has been performing for over a decade in the Sharada Bhakta Mandali Annual Music Festival.
The artist pursued his Diploma in Carnatic Music, Flute and Mridangam, from Sri Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University Hyderabad, M.A. Alankar in Mridangam from Gandharav Maha Vidyalaya (Nagpur) and M.A. Music (Flute) from PS Telugu University. During his studies, he took part in various music competitions and programs held throughout the state and won many prizes and accolades.
Currently working as a flute teacher in Shloka International School for the last six years, he has trained many young students. Many of his students have successfully passed the Certificate and Diploma course exams offered by Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in Distinction.