Living Legend Of Carnatic Music Turns 80

CHENNAI: His music is ageless, so it was fitting that on his 80th birthday celebrations, the musical and political fraternity looked forward to violinist and vocalist Lalgudi Jayaraman's centenary celebrations. "I pray to god to give me and Lalgudi a long life so that we can celebrate his 100th birthday," said M Balamuralikrishna, speaking on Saturday at the start of the two-day felicitation event organised by Times Music and Lalgudi 80 Trust.
The veteran musician's refrain was picked up by Kanimozhi, MP, and later by Tamil Nadu governor Surjit Singh Barnala. "I wish him many more years of music and we must celebrate his centenary as well," said Barnala. "The greatness of Lalgudi's music is underlined by his imaginative raga delineations, involved rendition laced with emotions and his supreme control over laya," he added.
If Kanimozhi paid rich tributes to Lalgudi's contribution in making the violin an integral part of Carnatic music in her keynote address, Balamuralikrishna, on a lighter vein, was thankful that the virtuoso chose the violin over vocal music. "Otherwise musicians like me would have faced problems, because he is so good," he said. Danseuse Padma Subrahmanyam enthusiastically recalled Lalgudi's dance compositions with great fondness and gratitude. "Music for classical dance got richer because of his compositions. His music is not contrived, but an unhindered emotional flow," she added.
For his disciples, Lalgudi, who turned 80 on September 17, remains a fascinating teacher and human being. "He might have turned 80 but has a child-like enthusiasm for life," says SP Ramh, musician and long-time disciple.
Saashwathi Prabhu, who has been readying for the birthday commemoration events held on September 18 and 19, feels that the musician takes time out to appreciate life in all its fullness. "If the koel sings in the middle of the class, he stops and asks us to listen to the way the notes curve," says the 28-year-old psychologist.
As a teacher, Lalgudi also keeps his students motivated. "He makes it a point to appreciate where we did well. But he also asks us to note down where we went wrong so the mistakes can be prevented," says Ramh.
The best lesson, according to Saashwathi, is the way he asked her to approach music itself. "He told me that if I treat music with love, it will bounce back to create more joy," says Saashwathi, adding that it helped her tackle her nervousness while performing.
It was but fitting that on the occasion, the violinist, renowned equally for his own music as well as that of his legion of sishyas, witnessed the release of Raga Rasa' composed by his children-cum-sishyas, GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi by Barnala. The first copy of the album was received by Kanimozhi.
Lalgudi's authorised biography will be released on Sunday at The Music Academy.
timeschennai@timesgroup.com