Just bliss!
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In the series on accompanists, meet veteran vocalist Radhakrishna.
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PHOTO: ANU PUSHKARNA
Vocalist Radhakrishna.
`It is important for the old generation to give way to the new. Unless you step down, how will they get experience?' demands Radhakrishna, who left a whirlwind career as a vocalist while still in her prime and has concentrated on teaching Carnatic music ever since.
The Salem-born Radha grew up in Trichy, training in the Alathur tradition under Guru Thirumalachariar, a disciple of Alathur Venkatesa Iyer, and giving concerts with her sister Nagalakshmi. The duo, known as the Trichy sisters, was separated after marriage, and only Radha continued singing. In Delhi she studied cost accountancy and got a job, but her career as a dance accompanist seemingly wiped clean that slate. Acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer Swarna Saraswati asked her to sing for her performances. Attending a recital, Mohan Khokar and others of the Sangeet Natak Akademi recognised Radha's talent.
Sudden tour
"In 1964 the Akademi arranged a tour of Kathak Kendra artistes and Bharatanatyam dancer Kamala Lakshman. At the eleventh hour, Kamala Lakshman dropped out. Mohan Khokar was leading the group, and it was decided that his wife (the eminent dancer) Saroja Khokar who had come to see him off, would go instead. I was recommended as the singer. Prapancham Seetharam was the flautist. It all happened within a few days, but I was able to pick up very fast. I was known for this skill."
In 1968, another emergency catapulted her into singing for Odissi too. "Sonal Mansingh and Padma Subramaniam were going on tour, and suddenly Sonal's vocalist Rakhal Mohanty dropped out. I got a message from SNA to meet Padma Subramaniam. When I reached the address, I was terrified to find I was to sing for Sonal Mansingh," she recounts, adding amusingly, "I thought she was a sardarni."
In the end, the mother of two babies was persuaded, and with help from stalwarts like Bhuvaneswar Misra, who played violin, and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, who led the orchestra on the pakhawaj, the `emergency' turned into a relationship of decades.
Later she accompanied Yamini Krishnamurti in Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. "She is a born dancer. Who would not want to sing for her?" she remarks. She remembers nostalgically the total dedication and family atmosphere among musicians and dancers back then.
In 1984, her elder daughter reached class 12. "I thought now I should stay home for my children." But quitting the stage didn't mean a retired life. "My classes are in full swing. My aim is, as long as I am alive, I should keep giving."
ANJANA RAJAN
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