Book relives Lalgudi’s romantic sojourn

CHENNAI: At the launch of Lakshmi Devnath’s biography on Lalgudi Jayaraman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan chairman Krishnaraj Vanavarayar mentioned that not once in his life did the legendary violinist allow another person to carry his instrument. “He always cradled his violin like a baby, and never let anyone carry it,” said Vanavarayar, who received the first copy of the 464-page book on Thursday.
As the audience — which included the late violinist’s students, fans and contemporaries from the world of the classical arts such as mridangist Umayalpuram K Sivaraman and dancer Dhananjayan — applauded, it was clear that the tidbit of information provided possibly the deepest insight into the musician and his love and reverence for his art.
‘An Incurable Romantic: The Musical Journey of Lalgudi Jayaraman’ was released by music director Ilayaraja, while Mandolin U Shrinivas gave a classical recital. Both Ilayaraja and Shrinivas had a personal connection with the legend, who passed away in April this year at the age of 82.
Ilayaraja spoke of how Jayaraman’s children — vocalists G J R Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi, both present on the occasion — performed chamber concerts at his residence during Navratri. “At one concert, one of my tunes in raga varthini was performed. Jayaraman sir was so inspired that he also composed a tune using the same raga,” said Ilayaraja.
Vijayalakshmi mentioned how on January 1 of every year, Shrinivas would call her father to get his blessings for the year.
Devnath mentioned how she was ecstatic when Jayaraman’s children approached her to write a biography on their father in 2009.
“Given his achievements and lineage that dates back to Thyagaraja, I knew it was more an honour to write it,” said Devnath, who has also written on other Carnatic legends such as M S Subbulakshmi, G N Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, and T Brinda.
Asked what impressed her most about the violinist, Devnath said, it was without doubt his ‘impeccable honesty’.