Carnatic music is experiencing a grand revival with an increasing number of youngsters evincing interest in learning and practicing its nuances.
This trend has pleased world-renowned artistes, including Sudha Raghunathan, who is celebrated as one of the foremost Carnatic musicians today.
“I am happy that many young men and women are keen to learn this ancient form of South Indian fine arts and perform at national and international events. Carnatic music will continue to thrive and attract people to its fold,” she said, speaking to Indian Newslink from her home in Chennai in India.
She said large corporates, small and medium-sized companies, cultural and arts associations and organisations have been showing interest in sponsoring and funding Carnatic music programmes.
“I am optimistic about the future of Carnatic music. There is little doubt that it will flourish in the years to come. I am delighted to note that countries such as New Zealand have music academies and schools to promote Indian classical music,” Mrs Raghunathan said.
She however has not had time to establish a school of music and teach the art to aspirants, mainly because of her constant commitments to sing at various concerts in India and overseas.
Her forthcoming performances in New Zealand would delight Carnatic music enthusiasts who are starved of quality music. They would have an earful of the fine art of South India.
Audience factor
Like other international celebrities including the late M S Subbulakshmi, M L Vasanthakumari and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, she does not plan her concerts.
“Every concert is different as its audience, depending on which I would choose the songs. It all happens as the event begins,” she said.
She will present two concerts, one each in Auckland and Wellington respectively on March 17 and 18.
Born, raised and educated in Bangalore, Ms Raghunathan evinced interest in Carnatic music at an early age, recognising which her mother Choodamani encouraged her talent. She was trained under the careful guidance of Vidwan B V Lakshman.
A concern for perfection, inexplicable devotion to music and the passion to learn the nuances of the art are factors that have made Mrs Raghunathan a singer of distinction. She has been described as the ‘Radiance of Music,’ ‘Jewel of Music’ and the ‘Singing Cuckoo.’
A winner of several awards, Mrs Raghunathan has performed in all major centres of the world and returns to New Zealand after a gap of a few years.
Her repertoire includes rare compositions of Shyama Sastri and Dikshitar but she is equally adept in Abhangs, Tamil songs, Devarnamas and folk music.
Artistic exponent
She is not just a singer presenting Carnatic music concerts. She is an exponent, a shining star and a woman with a ‘Golden Voice.’
She is the last torchbearer of an era that is known for artistes of dignity and honour exemplifying talent and humility. If versatility is a virtue, then Mrs Raghunathan is its personification and an uncrowned queen.
Her peers, colleagues and even critics have acknowledged her solemnity and acclaimed the divinity that permeates her voice, setting the tone for piety and righteousness.
B V Raghavendra Rao and Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan will accompany her respectively on the violin and mridhangam at both concerts.
Auckland Concert: Organised by Rasikas New Zealand, with the support of Sangeetha Bharathi School of Music on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 630 pm at the Raye Freedman Auditorium, Epsom Girls Grammar School, Silver Road, Epsom. Contact: Priya Srinivasan on (09) 4160165 or 021-613155. Email: rasikas.nz@gmail.com
Wellington Concert: Organised by the New Zealand Indian Fine Arts Society on Sunday, March 18, 2012 from 5 pm at Little Theatre, Lower Hutt. Tickets- Members $15 Non-members $25, Student members $10, Student Non-members $15, Senior non-members $20. For details, contact Contact Balajee on (04) 9724032.
