Meet the artist: September
Margazhi is an online platform created to bring together the culturally conscious – by integrating information, news, views and updates related to the Performing Arts such as Indian Music & Dance. Artist of the Month is an initiative of Margazhi.org, where accomplished artists are invited for an interaction, with their Rasikas. The artist’s early life, achievements, and more about their work is discussed during the interaction.
Margazhi.org’s activities are sponsored by Sarangi – the Kanjivaram sari store. The Artist of the Month interactions are hosted at Padma Paaduka’s Alwarpet store, co-sponsored by Leo Coffee.
Amidst the beautifully designed store, with intricately designed jewellery as the back drop, was seated the beautiful, and ever smiling Sowmya, for our interaction with her. Sowmya is a renowned Carnatic musician. She initially began her musical training from her father – Dr. Srinivasan, a Chemical Engineer who later went on learn music from Dr. Ramanathan – a prodigiously talented musician and a stickler for perfection. She later went on to learn from Smt. Muktha. Sowmya, with all humility acknowledged her gurus for what she is today.
She very lucidly explained to the audience about the quality of the music taught in the music Gurukul where she went to. The entire place, soaked with goodness of music is a path for one to attain mastery over music. Sowmya is also academically established, with a PhD, and a couple of Gold Medals to her credit.
When Sowmya was posed with the question as to how she managed to excel in a whole lot of things, be it music, or academics – she simply answered by saying, that it was her passion that drove her to do what she had achieved and continues to do things that she is passionate about, regardless of what it is – whether music or academics. She proved this again when she said she was pursuing her Masters in Sanskrit. What amazed the audience was the sincerity and devotion that she showed towards learning more and acquiring knowledge in the field of music, which she saw as a large ocean that surrounded her.
Sowmya shared her opinion on singing in the movies and why she preferred not to, saying – ”Each discipline of music is different and needs a whole lot of practice for one to master it.” She also attributed the same reason for not performing Hindustani music.
Sowmya then shared with us her other interests – Gardening and Cooking. This part of the discussion brought about her “compassionate” side – Talking to her plants and feeding water to crows.
She concluded the interaction by obliging her fans’ requests, with two beautiful songs.
At Sarangi, the Kanjivaram Sari Store, we are proud to have been part of this wonderful event and hope to be able to share with all of you details of many such events in the future.
