New Delhi, Sept. 19 (PTI): He is one of the few exponents of Indian classical music who has wowed western audiences by playing Indian classical music on what is essentially a western instrument--violin.

Dr L Subramaniam has performed the Carnatic and Western classical music on stage in various parts of the world, besides conducting some of the most famous orchestras and sharing the state with western and Indian music geniuses. But it is in playing Carnatic music that he says, he finds 'real joy.'

"Playing Carnatic music in India or the West is a challenge in the sense that Indian audience are not that familiar with the violin, whereas the westerners listen to somebody playing the instrument rather critically as they are well aware of the instrument and the technique." Subramaniam said.

Initially, sitting cross legged and playing the violin was a bit of a shock for the westerners. "But once they started listening to the Indian music, perceptions changed," says the legend. Subramaniam was here to participate in the annual SPIC-MACAY festival for the youth.

Subramaniam studied medicine and got registered as a general practitioner before deciding to dedicate his life to playing the violin.

"Violin is the most expressive of all instruments I know and it called me to dedicate myself to it," he says.

Subramaniam who has many pupils under his tutelage including his own son and daughter feels that though the opportunities for youngsters are vast, dedication to any art form they choose is not the same as he saw during his younger days.

"Youngsters these days want to be most well known artists rather than great exponents of their art" he says.

Citing carnatic singing legend MS Subbulakshmi and late Sarod maestro Bismillah Khan as great examples to follow for youngsters, he says, "They were only concerned with dedicating themselves to the music form they chose and better themselves at it, all throughout their lives. Nothing else mattered to them."

Subramaniam is of the opinion that Indian classical music should be made part of the school and college curriculum in the country. "If youngsters learn and start appreciating the Indian classical music, we can have not just more talented people in the field, but also the future of our music will be in safer hands," he says.

But he is certainly not impressed with the television driven talent-hunt shows. "I don't like this sms business," he says in exasperation. How can the audience judge a singer, when the judges are already there, he asks.

In his opinion only a judge can evaluate a singer's pitch, rhythm and emotion. "Some people like a cute face and they will vote for it, that is not a talent hunt," he says.

Subramaniam who has composed music for Mira Nair's films "Salaam Bombay" and "Mississippi Masala" besides a solo background recital in Bernardo Bertolucci's "Little Buddha" is not very excited about the Indian film music scene. "We had great musicians like Madan-Mohan and Laxmikanth-Pyarelal in the past, but now the music that is being composed is not something that will linger on forever," he says.

Although he is not averse to composing film music, Subramaniam says that time is a major factor. "All my programmes are decided almost two years in advance, so taking out time is almost impossible," he says. Subramaniam is married to Bollywood singer Kavitha Krishnamurthy.

Subramaniam has more than 150 recordings to his credit, including with legends like Menuhin, Stephane Grappelli, Ruggiero Ricci and many others. "I have only enriched myself by playing with so many legends and made some great friends in the process," he says. He specially treasures his recordings with Yehudi Menuhin.