MUSICIANSHIP

Singaporean Indian Classical Musician Dr.Ghanavenothan Retnam has carved a niche for himself in the arts scene not only in Singapore but also internationally. He is the most sought after musician for solos as well as for orchestral performances including cross cultural collaborations. Son of Singapore’s pioneer musician, Sri R Retnam, he was tutored by Pandit M Ramalingam who nurtured the art of playing the Bansuri – Indian Flute. Besides vocal training, he had intense training under many stalwarts from North and South India. Singing, playing the Sitar and Harmonium renewed his skills in ‘folk music’. He has numerous performances to his credit both as a soloist, accompanist, composer, arranger, conductor and music director. He has accompanied internationally renowned artistes such as Dr Balamuralikrishna, Unnikrishnan, O S Arun, Dr Padma Subramaniam, The Dananjayans, Sreelatha Vinod, Dr Chandrasekar, Anitha Ratnam and Lakshmi Govindasamy to name a few.

DANCE MUSIC

His virtuosity in mastering the subtle nuances of the Abhinaya (expressive aspect) has given his music for dance performances a lilting and ethereal quality.  His emotive expressions are portrayed at Barathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Oddissi and contemporary dance styles too. His dance works have given him a special recognition at many prestigious dance schools in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Europe, and Asia, whereby he not only performs for them, also conducts music workshops and lecture demonstrations.  Being a resident flautist, music consultant, accompanist, he has done music arrangements for institutions abroad. He is a regular accompanist in Singapore for many dance arangetrams conducted by various arts/dance institutions.

STUDENTS' PERFORMANCES

One of his many achievements is the specialized training he has for his students. He has conducted five Flute Arangetrams of his students, a first in Singapore.  He has created a platform for many young talents to perform both locally and abroad showcasing their standards in deploying the technical glory of Bansuri.  He inculcates the fluency of performing Chinese & Western Classics on Indian Flute.  His students continue to explore new horizons in the performing an electric mix of Jazz, Blues and Rock Fusions.  Having students in different parts of the globe, they have taken part in many festivals locally and internationally and won coveted prizes in music competitions. He has been a music consulate and is a role model who inspires many young aspiring artistes. 

ART TALKS & MUSIC LECTURES

Ghanavenothan gives art talks, lecture demonstrations, master classes and workshops in Indian classical music at art institutions locally and internationally.  His involvement in the Arts and Education programmes at primary, secondary and tertiary institutions certainly unfolds the many doubts students have about Indian Music. Having lectured at LaSalle School of the Arts, NAFA, MOE, NTU, NUS & STAR., many students have approached him on individual basis to understudy Indian Music Theory.  His community level art talks at various community centers and grassroots organizations enabled the laymen to appreciate and understand Indian Classical Music. Popular music camps are also conducted by him to have hands on training on various traditional Indian instruments. 
 
Besides being in the mentoring scheme for schools by MOE, he further helps the under- privilege children  in the usage of simple and handy methods of Music Therapy.

MUSIC DIRECTOR / ORIGINAL WORKS

​Being the music director at Bhaskar’s Arts Academy, Ghanavenothan writes music for orchestras and ballets in arts festivals locally and abroad with critical acclaims. Manohra, Yatra, Vinayaka, Ramayana, Parinamam~the metamorphosis, Sita’s complaint, Shakuntala, Pancha-Tantra, Crocodile tears, Bhed, People get connected, Raas leela, Kumara Sambhavam, Devi Mahatmiyam, Vikramorvasiyam, I Shall Be Me, Ardha Nareeshwara and many more. The recent works on Vinayaka which was premiered at the Bali Arts Festival 2010, was very well received.  It was a tedious task to write scores for a 36 member ‘traditional’ Balinese orchestra.  The language barrier did not hamper as our music spoke within us,   the collaborative efforts showed fruitful results. He has toured with Bhaskar’s Arts to the international folk festival at Taiwan and many states in India for its annual festive season, has certainly given a pragmatic approach as a music director.   At its events and festivals, he has tapped many talents both in music and dance, tasking them the intellectual exercise leaving the confines of traditional forms for more experimental avant-garde vibrancy in the language of music and dance of today. 

CROSS-CULTURAL WORKS

Cultivating a unique artistry in cross-cultural collaborations, he explores highly innovative musical genres with a mystical exuberance.  As such he staged successfully with the support of NAC, the world premiere of GHANA SANGAM at the Singapore Arts festival 2006, with applauding reviews in the press.  Such shows cater for his versatility in cross cultural works, are also portrayed in other traditional and folk festivals at Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, America, India and Australia where he has worked with their famed artistes, reveling the audience in a total musical experience.  Praise to go on for his high degree of proficiency in playing other instruments such as the Harmonium and his vocal aspects are highlighted in his recordings.  Adding a new dimension to his vocalizing is the recital of intricate Jathis (rhythmic syllables) in concerts.  The tongue-twisting vocabulary and calculated rhythmic sequences is often challenged during collaborations with other genres of music and dance.

CONDUCTOR

Ghanavenothan has conducted the very 1st Indian Choir and Singapore Festival of Choirs, where the singing was vocalized with harmony and chords of Sacred Music & Asian Songs. He conducted the very first Indian Orchestra amongst Secondary Schools, at Raffles Girls Secondary School, Raffles Institution and St Joseph Institution.  His original works were premiered at these orchestras featuring literary works of many poets.  The Bhaskar’s Arts Academy orchestral Ensemble, Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society Ethnic Orchestral Ensemble & Swathy Youth Orchestral Ensemble are ably and amicably conducted by him.  He also conducts the unplugged version of Indian Classics for the Karnatic Quartet.  The ‘5 Elements’ conceptualized & conducted by him at NIMC 21 in Bangkok, Thailand  and The ‘Ethnic Trio’ at ASEM V Performing Festival at Ha

RECORDINGS

Ghana’s recordings, based on Classical, Devotional and East-West fusion, have been used internationally.  The CD ‘Madhura Ghanam’ recorded with renowned musicians in India has given him the title ‘Mohana Murali.  Others are Asiabeat-Monsoon, Gwailo, Prathana, Rasa & Dhwani, A second Opinion,  Mirror of Sounds, Evolving Traditions, Sounds of Asia, 4 Chinese Buddhist cds and many more..  His many recordings are heard regularly on the National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery and Travel Channels. His striking and highest professional artistry, has garnered him performances for many art impresarios, dignitaries and royalties.  An intrinsic facet of his performing skills led him to record for a Walt Disney Feature Film titled ‘The legends of the Rings of Fire’.  He played a key role in providing, arranging and conducting music for the Silent Movie, ‘Kaliya Mardhan’, at the opening festival of the National Museum, Singapore.  Many famed Tamil Movies have his haunting Flute Melodies.

CHARITY PERFORMANCES

Ghanavenothan charitable shows in forms of concerts or musical compositions/arrangements, have won awards, accolades and as being a Humanitarian. His notable works for charity in Singapore and abroad are Celebrity Busking, Annamaya, Prana, Temple to Theatre, Moksha, Samarpanam, Radha’s Quest and many more, where many special needs organizations have benefited from.  He specializes in therapeutic ragas which are used in his charitable concerts.  This adds yet another dimension in his acquiring techniques in specialized music.  His proud involvement in such events for noble causes inhibits his noteworthy services.

ADJUDICATOR

Ghanvenothan’s musicianship is sought also in the judgment of various music contests and competitions.  He has judged several national singing competitions, like Sing Singapore, Our story Our chords Our song, Good Citizens’ Song Writing & Competition, Vasantham’s Yaar Antha Star, Saval, Uthaya Thaaragai, garnered fans for his constructive criticism.    As an examiner for music and dance at many arts schools, he has given many recitals, interviews and featured on local and foreign media.   He reviews arts productions, writes for arts magazines, ST Life, and publications of Arts origin.

NATIONAL & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Ghana’s involvement at grassroots events, community events and national events have enhances his patriotism of his Singaporean identity.  Either at pledging or performing at various National Day Parades either at the new Floating platform or at the Grand Padang, he envisions his duties and responsibilities as a Singapore citizen by participating in such patriotic events.  His music goes a long way to the ears of the commoner in such community events and in the heartlands, to understand and appreciate Indian Classical Music.

PANELIST

He continues to serve at the various music and arts panels for many arts institutions and govt. organizations.  At NAC’s arts advisory panels – Singapore Arts Festival 200, National Indian Music Competition till present, External Assessor for Music, Annual Grant Applications for Music, Festival of Asian Performing Arts, Arts Resource Member and Industry Assessment.  National Youth Council’s - Singapore Youth Awards panel. People’s Association – Talent Advisory for Music, Lifeskills & Lifestyle.

AWARDS

Ghanavenothan at a young age received many awards, accolades, commendation letters and titles along with ‘Ponnaadai’ or Golden Robes which signifies the tremendous services to the Indian Arts Scene in Singapore and Aborad.

For his outstanding contributions to the field of arts, he created history by being the first Singaporean Indian artiste to be awarded the prestigious Singapore’s “Young Artist Award” for music and is also conferred with the titles ~ “Sangitha Kala Nipuna” “Singai Venugana Visharada”. ‘Mohana Murali’, & “Kuzhalosai Venthan”. He was also awarded a “Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian Medallion” by the world peace and harmony organization, New York.-USA. For his commendable services to the Indian Arts, he was conferred the title “Kala Bushana”, by Nrithyalaya Aesthetics Society, Singapore and Recently The International Tamil University, USA conferred with the Honourable “Doctorate” for his contribution to Music and Excellence in Flute.

NEW HORIZONS

A Celebratory and effective glory of his works of ‘New Horizons’ does not have ‘fusion’ aspects, but he ‘infuse’ each traditional genres of music without hampering their timbre or texture, resulting in a unique collaboration which was very effective in various productions locally and abroad.  He further explores ‘traditional Indian classics’, and giving a new dimension, thus creating a blend of ‘old’ & ‘new’ in the ‘Unplugged’ rendition of these pieces., which are very popular.

VISION

Ghanavenothan Retnam’s representation at local arts festivals and festivals abroad, enhances his artistic patriotism to spread the vibrant Singapore arts to the world. Having performed in front of great art impresarios, dignitaries, royalties, presidents & ministers, heightened his fame further. He is a great Singapore ambassador of  Indian music, a pinnacle of towering creative genius in cross cultural vibrancy, certainly has contributed enormously to the growth of Indian music not only in Singapore but internationally.