Free music is questionable: Carnatic vocalist Sudha Ragunathan

yoshika

Yoshika Sangal | October 13, 2017


#On a Personal Note   #Culture   #Arts   #Music   #Sudha Ragunathan  
Photo Courtesy: Sudha Ragunathan
Photo Courtesy: Sudha Ragunathan

Sudha Ragunathan is a renowned Carnatic vocalist and composer. She has performed across India and abroad. Her guru was Padma Bhushan ML Vasanthakumari, known by many as a musical genius and a doyenne of Carnatic music. Sudha’s most fascinating and memorable performance was Vande Mataram at the central house of parliament during the 50th Republic Day celebrations in 2000. She has also performed at a concert organised by the United Nations. Apart from teaching music, she is the managing trustee of Samudhaaya Foundation that assists victims of national calamities, and works for underprivileged people. She was awarded Padma Shri in 2004 and Padma Bhushan in 2015.


Tell us about your gurus and their role in your musical career.

Music was always present in our family. My mother was my first guru. I have been playing around with notes! It was because of my mother’s perseverance and commitment in pushing me each and every time. My formal training began with Vidwan TV Viswanathan and BV Lakshman. Later, I got an opportunity to learn from the Padma Bhushan ML Vasanthakumari.

How can Carnatic music’s scope and audience be increased?

The scope is already increasing. Younger generation is now choosing it as their profession. Opportunities are plenty now. However, increasing the audience needs to addressed seriously. Though there are plenty of concerts being organised, the audience turnout is lean in most of these. Concerts have to be made more engaging. Gone are the days when concerts were held for three to four hours. Times have changed. Durations are shorter and audience wants essence captured in that short time. We can focus on lecture demonstrations, thematic concerts and singing new kritis and raagas.

Tell us about Samudhaaya Foundation. What are the social causes you are working for?

I was deeply moved by the Kargil war and wanted to do something for the families of war heros. I was already involved in social activities and sang in concerts to raise funds for charities organised by others. I wanted to have the individuality and the independence to do what I wanted and when I wanted, with nobody questioning it. Thus, I started Samudhaaya Foundation in 1999.  After identifying a cause, we organise a concert and raise funds for it. At present, we are funding special wheelchairs and BiPAP ventilators. We are also working on restoration of ponds and sponsoring two ponds in Tamil Nadu where we would be funding for the complete desilting and restoration works.

How was your experience working in films?

I loved it. It is a totally different terrain. All perspectives change and I learnt a lot of good things from the other side – little nuances yet absolutely constructive.

Does music provide equal opportunity and pay to all irrespective of  the gender?

It is improving though there is still gender bias looming large, even if discreetly.

What do you think about free online music sharing?

It is welcome. It gives more visibility and widens your horizon. The spectrum of audience reach also expands. Webcasting and online sharing have quite become the order of the day. Free music is however questionable and debatable. Why should music be given free?

What qualities should music students inculcate?

Humility, respect for the art, music and the audience they sing for. They should diligently practise, be ‘thirsty’ to keep learning and be conscious of what they sing. And finally, patience and persistence.
 

Comments

 

Other News

How to leverage AI to solve urgent global issues

The world seems to be hurling towards World War III in all the possible scenarios: hot war, cold war, and proxy war. The battleground seems to have expanded beyond physical to digital or virtual/mixed reality with technology like drones. Moreover, the line between civilian and military targets seems to hav

Budget: Progress towards SDGs and areas for improvement

The Union Budget 2025-26 outlines India`s vision for economic and social growth while also reflecting the country`s commitment to sustainable development. As India moves closer to the 2030 deadline for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this budget presents a balanced approach

Repo rate cut by 25 basis points to 6.25%

The Reserve Bank of India has, for the first time in five years, reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 6.25% with immediate effect. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate will stand adjusted to 6.00% and the marginal

Amitav Ghosh’s new work: Connections between the word and the world

Wild Fictions: Essays By Amitav Ghosh HarperCollins, 496 pages, Rs 799.00 Amitav Ghosh, one of a handful of Ind

How markets can help (and also hinder) fight against pollution

In the annals of environmental policy, few ideas have been as transformative as the Emissions Trading System (ETS). Born from the minds of economists in the late 1960s, this market-based approach to pollution control has evolved from a theoretical concept to a global tool in the fight against climate chang

Will Bihar complement the resolution of Viksit Bharat 2047?

As India completes its diamond jubilee as a republic, I am reminded of a statement by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, delivered during an address to the Bihar Chamber of Commerce in Patna on March 28, 2006. He said, “I have visited Bihar numerous times, and it has always been a source of happiness for me to

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now



Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter