Yesterday was my music teacher's death anniversary. Can't believe it is a year already. When she passed away last year, I was somewhere in the UK, oblivious to the event. Miss her. She'd be happy to know that I am finally getting married. Although she would not be too pleased at my lack of practice. She knew though, how much I listen to concerts and admired her voice and repertoire.
I used to go to her home every evening after office, sometimes by auto, sometimes walking, sometimes on my scooter. She'd notice I'm tired and hungry - so give me something to eat or drink and then start. She was the one that taught me how to play on the tambura. And I used the tambura every time. She badly wanted me to pass the AIR audition. I didn't, but I enjoyed every bit of preparing for it. Improved me as a singer. She wanted me to give the Carnatic music exam. I didn't appear for it.
She knew a whole lot of rare kritis. Composed by her mama Mayuram Vishwanatha Sastry. Kanthamam, Jayati jayati, Sri Mahaganapate some of the ones I learnt from her. She always spoke of her own mother in proud endearing tones, how she used to boldly give lectures and strong performances. Rukmini teacher herself had a powerful voice that could travel in the deeper and higher octaves with equal ease and her face would show no strain whatsoever. At times, she used to send me on errands to her doctor and ask to prescribe medicines. On a side note, I remember that the doctor never took any money from me. I made three visits to him. He was a homeopath.
I have attended one of her concerts in the Gayana Samaj and a listened to a few of them over the radio. She was brilliant. I need to go and collect the recordings from her family. And may be a picture of hers too. I wish I had had the time to learn all the rare compositions from her. Feel very terrible that she succumbed to disease. I think that the carnatic music world lost some of her mama's compositions, which only she knew. Pity I could not inherit all of that knowledge. Anyway, I feel lucky to have known her and learnt music from her.
I used to go to her home every evening after office, sometimes by auto, sometimes walking, sometimes on my scooter. She'd notice I'm tired and hungry - so give me something to eat or drink and then start. She was the one that taught me how to play on the tambura. And I used the tambura every time. She badly wanted me to pass the AIR audition. I didn't, but I enjoyed every bit of preparing for it. Improved me as a singer. She wanted me to give the Carnatic music exam. I didn't appear for it.
She knew a whole lot of rare kritis. Composed by her mama Mayuram Vishwanatha Sastry. Kanthamam, Jayati jayati, Sri Mahaganapate some of the ones I learnt from her. She always spoke of her own mother in proud endearing tones, how she used to boldly give lectures and strong performances. Rukmini teacher herself had a powerful voice that could travel in the deeper and higher octaves with equal ease and her face would show no strain whatsoever. At times, she used to send me on errands to her doctor and ask to prescribe medicines. On a side note, I remember that the doctor never took any money from me. I made three visits to him. He was a homeopath.
I have attended one of her concerts in the Gayana Samaj and a listened to a few of them over the radio. She was brilliant. I need to go and collect the recordings from her family. And may be a picture of hers too. I wish I had had the time to learn all the rare compositions from her. Feel very terrible that she succumbed to disease. I think that the carnatic music world lost some of her mama's compositions, which only she knew. Pity I could not inherit all of that knowledge. Anyway, I feel lucky to have known her and learnt music from her.
