SOWMYA

Hailed a child prodigy, Sowmya not only excelled in music, but also in academics. An outstanding student, she is a gold medallist in M.Sc (Master of Science) from IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) and also the recipient of the IIT Blue, a rare honour given to those who excel in academics as well as other activities.

A naturally warm and friendly person, her hobbies include unconventional painting and philately. Extremely articulate, this net-savvy musician is brimming with ideas and projects to lift the image of Carnatic music across the globe. Read on, as she talks of her passion and profession - Music.

I was hailed a child prodigy, identifying ragas when I was barely two and a half years young. My father was my first Guru. Later,
I went to Sangitha Kalanidhi Dr S Ramanathan, from whom I started learning when I was six. I continued my training under various Gurus like Muktaamma, Rukmani Ramani and
D K Pattamal.

I did my B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) from Meenakshi College, and M.Sc from IIT. My subject was Chemistry. I started doing research when in I realised that I couldn't ride two horses, because I never left singing and was getting a lot of music concerts. I did Chemistry because I had a passion for the subject, but I started singing much before I even learnt 'ABC'.….. So music was always there. I have also done B.A (Bachelor of Arts) and M.A (Masters in Arts) from Madras University.

My father and my Guru.

The standard is coming down. People have the concert in mind. It is not a healthy sign. They are neither fulfilling themselves, the audience, or the art.

Yes, I think there should be a panel consisting of senior musicians who should be objective, while selecting artistes. It should be done mainly for the upkeep and the posterity of the art. Sabhas should also screen artistes. They should take the advice of the YACM (Youth Association for Classical Music) or the Carnatic Archival Centre.

It depends on the artiste whom he or she is accompanying. It is very subjective. A concert is a concerted effort. We work like a team. I, personally, pay my artistes well.

Carnatic music is definitely a secondary citizen compared to Hindustani music. Mainly, Indians and the Sri Lankans are the ones patronizing, it because they understand the words.

When you talk of music, it transcends all barriers. In Carnatic music especially, the theme is devotional. The lyrics are outpourings and as such not designed for concert platforms. There is so much literary beauty in South Indian music. The appeal is less not because of the language, but because of the basic singing style, the format.

My partner Shashikiran and I wanted to put Carnatic music on a global pedestal. Therefore the idea of producing a CD-ROM, to lure the children of today. We are the first people to have done it. We have also come out with a VCD in a karaoke format. The CD- ROM is called Nadanubhava and the VCD is called Nadopasana. We are also starting a Cyber University, which would cater to the connoisseur as well as the layman. We have experts working on different styles of music like Japanese, Javanese, Chinese, Western, Hindustani, etc. We are also working on a unique project - a DVD on Carnatic music. It will be a fusion of classical music and classical Jazz. We want to see to it that Carnatic music comes on MTV.

Fusion music is subjective. What I like, you may not like. It is just a passing phase. It is not permanent. Only the classical system will stay.

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