|
 |
For the ardent lovers of the Carnatic music, the name Sudha Ragunathan (fondly ‘SR’) sounds as sweet as her voice. SR is one of the divas/reigning Queens of Carnatic Music. Melody and unique rendering style are her forte, to which she binds in thousands of rasikas. Feasting is relished only with people of similar taste. The prime motive of this web portal is to bring together all those who feast on music and in particularly fans of SR, who could share their views, experiences and their moments of ecstasy from her numerous concerts and anything else about this seventh heaven.
SR was born in the Garden city of Bangalore to Smt Choodamani and Sri. Venkataraman. Unknown to many she was named by the spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi. No wonder, he sensed that she would be making it big in the world of music; and he named her “Geetha Sudha” meaning elixir of music. He further said she’ll be known to the world as “Sudha”.
Music was a part of the daily routine at young Sudha’s home. Her mother being an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Sri Sai Baba, initiated her daughter into music in the form of Sai Bhajans. After the first lessons of music from her mother, SR’s musical journey took greater shape and directions under the able tutelage of Sri.T.V.Viswanathan and Sri.B.V.Lakshmanan.
As it was the practice of her times, academics was of more importance than arts. SR ensured that her interests in music and academics did not overlap each other. She excelled in academics too. Her childhood interest was to pursue a career in medicine. To keep in pace with her musical learning, she switched to non science career. She majored in Economics with distinction from Ethiraj College, Chennai. She has the rare distinction of being awarded the “Most Outstanding Student” award from the Ethiraj College for three consecutive years, in succession.
The first noticeable moment of her career came in 1977 when she appeared for an interview to obtain the Central Govt. Scholarship. This was awarded for young artistes towards their advanced training in Carnatic music. She was interviewed by the stalwarts of that time Sri. T N Krishnan, Sri.T.M.Thyagarajan and Sri.MST and who were convinced by the talent of budding SR, which thus resulted in her to receiving the scholarship. The Govt. Music College, Adayar is where she got the opportunity to meet her idol Padmabhushan Sangeetha kalanidhi, Dr. M L Vasanthakumari, known as MLV- the doyen of music.
SR was 19 years old when she came under the tutelage of MLV. Thus was born, one of the wonderful Guru Sishya combinations which still stand a reference to many in the world of Carnatic music. The next 12 years of intensive learning under MLV saw SR grow in stature in terms of knowledge, depth and expertise. SR was seen as the successor of MLV as she gradually started providing vocal support to her guru on during many of the concerts. Those were the precious and gleeful moments for those who had the opportunity to see both these stars perform on the same stage. Truly, by then SR had come of age. SR continued to hone her skills under MLV before the wheel of time took away the reverential guru. However, for those who have been following SR, her performance only leaves us to believe – Smt. MLV is now living with us in the form of our beloved SR.
SR’s concerts are a delight to watch and hear. SR had this unique opportunity to live with MLV and learn many things other than music; she has cultivated rasikas like what Smt. MLV had developed. Today, people are proud to say that they have attended the most number of her concerts in a particular season. Her fans seem to be ready to die to listen to her. Her humility in mingling with the rasikas is the main reason for her loyal fan following. Also, she obliges the song requests from many rasikas wholeheartedly.
SR has one of the greatest qualities of legendary musicians, by again and again pulling the audience no matter where the concert of hers is held. It is also a fact that awards and appreciations from various Sabhas credited themselves by getting on to her. It is also a pride nowadays for various establishments/firms to get it inaugurated with the visit of our dearest SR.
Have a wonderful journey through the passages of this site and also be a generous contributor in your own way to make this site more a source of exchange between SR Rasikas.
|
 |
 |
