K V R Mrudanga Kalakshetram Music School

In a tiny nook of Hyderabad is situated a team of 5, lending to all those who come its way, a tiny smidgen from the vast reserve of Carnatic music.

Somayajulu, the founder of K V R Mridanga Kalakshetram Music School, gives classes for the mridangam, Pankaja Malik does it for the veena, Mythili for vocals, Dhananjay for the violin and keyboard, and Shubha for Kuchipudi.

They are all professionals in their own areas. Some of them are here for the money, while some just for the experience; but they are all here for the love of it. And, to fulfill a dream once dreamt by their Guru.

Their fee is very nominal; so much so that you will end up spending more on the fuel to get there, than on the classes.

As for their premises, if you are used to settling down in an air-conditioned room, onto a comfortable seat, before your vocal chords get moving, then this is where you stop reading. For, here the classes are held in a little room that looks like a garage converted into a music class. You have mats on the floor to help you concentrate on your music and not your unfinished sleep, and you have teachers who are mentors, not your back-scratching pals.

This place is also a ray of hope for your little helper, who has immense talent but zilch resources. Because, this music school offers to teach the talented, even if it need be done for free.

Thy also open avenues for their pupils by making them perform every year at the Thyagaraja Gyana Sabha and some other auditoriums. So don't be taken aback if, after years of wondering what happened to that little girl whom you enrolled here, you see her suddenly on TV.

This tiny music school situated in a tiny lane may have much more to it than just its size. For a start, it has a galore of music ringing in its very walls. You have to look past the obvious to find out.