There is a perception of Classical musicians as serious men. Anil Srinivasan’s garrulous laugh washes away such apprehensions. A Sangeet Natak Akademi-awardee, the pianist is also the first Western Classical musician to be awarded the Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu State Government. “I brought the piano kicking and screaming to the sabhas,” he laughs. This weekend, he is in Mumbai and will perform with his friend, Carnatic vocalist, Sikkil Gurucharan, for Poets on the Piano.

They have been regular visitors to the city, but separately. The pianist began his career in advertising with Ogilvy in Churchgate. “I remember getting on a Virar fast in my first week. I never got down at Borivali as planned,” the former Chembur-resident chuckles.