Charisma and commitment
V. BALASUBRAMANIAN
|
She wished to pursue medicine but destiny had other plans. Sudha Ragunathan talks about her odyssey and those who have made it possible.
|
I never dreamt of becoming a musician let alone making it to this position.
PHOTO: K.V. Srinivasan
A Life of music Sudha Ragunathan
A young couple returning from Puttaparti find their child suddenly becoming limp. The car is stopped and the mother sits under a tree to let the baby breathe in fresh air. A crowd collects and the suggestions to revive the inert child go in vain. A nomad, passing by with a group, observes the scene. He lights a fire, heats his leather chappals and rubs it on the child, who wakes up with a jerk. What is believed to be divine intervention that injected life and energy into that child, probably keeps her going even now.
This incident narrated by Sudha Ragunathan’s father, Venkatraman, several years ago, flashes through my mind as I wait for her arrival. She greets you with her typical gleaming smile, fresh after a two-hour interactive seminar with college students. And she will be away for a week performing abroad.
Sudha Ragunathan, Mylapore Fine Arts Club’s Sangita Kala Nipuna designate this year, settles down for a chat with a hot cup of tea.
“Music didn’t run in the family,” says Sudha referring to the beginning of her odyssey. “But as in any South Indian family, my sister and I were exposed to music.”
“During my childhood, we would visit Puttaparti Sathya Sai Baba at Whitefield regularly and my mother would teach at least two new bhajans for each visit. I would practise very hard, for I was going to sing in Swami’s presence. He would give me prasad every time I sang. I could recite Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatam, even when I was three. But I never dreamt of becoming a musician let alone making it to this position.”
A brilliant student, Sudha wanted to become a gynaecologist and joined Pre-University (Natural Science group) at Ethiraj College.
“My tutors, lecturers and professors, who heard me sing “Dhikku Theriyada Kaattil”, during a college function, said my voice was God’s gift and virtually talked me into taking up music full time. Alamelu, Sheila Joseph, Vasanthi Devi, Eva Mathew, Muthu, Jeyam, Shantha and Rukmini among others were keen that I should approach music more seriously. I thank them for their encouragement and am glad that I have lived up to their expectations,” says Sudha.
Plans shelved
B.V.Lakshmanan took the baton from Sudha’s mother (Choodamani was an accomplished singer although she did not make it big). Shelving her plans of pursuing medicine, Sudha opted for economics.
It was during her final year that Sudha won a Central Government scholarship that took her to M.L.Vasanthakumari. She was chosen the Most Outstanding Student for three years in succession, and also for the Service to the College medal while she was the vice-president of the Students’ Union. This apart, she collected prizes in debates, quiz competitions, dramatics and creative writing too. The highlight, however, was her winning music competitions of various colleges and sabhas that boosted her confidence.
The MLV connection
“Joining MLV was definitely the turning point,” observes Sudha. “MLV was a scholar and an institution by herself and she taught me about life’s priorities. Relationships were of a greater value to her than money. She never took any audience for granted. Even performances at marriages were serious affairs for her! Commitment is one of the qualities that I have imbibed from her.”
It is with warmth that Sudha speaks of her family — husband and two children. “Rarely did I sit down with my children to help them with their studies,” she says. “They have grown up, giving me enough time to devote to music,” Sudha reflects. Perhaps this has helped Sudha take a close look at social issues, resulting in the birth of Samudhaaya Foundation.
Has she reached the summit, with about 30 years of performances behind her? “How do you measure success? Which is the yardstick? Crowd, money, fame and awards? They serve as indicators, yes, but what matters is the quality of music and whether you have fathomed it. It’s a question of constant research, as audience taste keeps changing. I think in music, every end is considered a beginning.”
Does less concerts mean better quality? “Oh, no. I do have a very tight schedule all through the year. I don’t want to disappoint those who approach me believing that I would oblige them. And I certainly will not let down the sabhas and organisations that were solidly behind me when I began my career,” asserts Sudha.
In spite of the pressure, how does she manage to look cheerful? “Meditation and yoga have helped me a lot in this. I plan to do research on how music can play a role in curing disorders and imbalances of the mind and body and how music impacts the growth of a child in the mother’s womb.”
Malavika, daughter, enters and it is time to sign off, wishing Sudha achieves many more laurels during her journey.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Music Season
