I unwind with music: Jayashree

When Bombay Jayashri sings, everyone listens. Recently, the usually restless children at the SOS Children’s Village were mesmerised by her voice and commanding attitude.
And they listened in rapt attention as she belted out popular numbers like Anandamruthavarshini..., Sumanasavanditha... and Thillana. Despite a whirlwind concert schedule, Jayashri is happy she could spend some time with the kids, singing for them.“My friend Devika has been associated with children’s causes for almost 20 years. She told me how several artistes visit this place to teach and entertain the kids. This kindled my interest and I visited the village on Friday with my students for a small performance. I was accompanied by Embar Kannan on violin and Manoj Shiva on mridangam,” she says.
On her experience singing for the kids, she says, “It was an interesting and an interactive session. I sang some of the basic krithis and songs. I don’t know how many of them are trained in Carnatic and classical singing, but they sang Teeratha Vilayattu Pillai..., Chinnanchiru Kiliye... and Vande Maataram with me beautifully. Of course, they wanted me to sing Vaseegara... but I couldn’t entertain their request!”
She further adds, “I have performed at several auditoriums in the country and abroad, but this concert was very satisfying.”
Jayashri has been involved with several social causes and her association with kids goes back a long way. In fact, she says she’s musically inclined with them. “Every child is entitled to music — they are born with an ear for music. You just need to hone their skills. Music transcends all barriers, and language is definitely no bar. To be honest, I don’t know the meaning of some of the songs I sing. But I keep singing because it makes me happy,” she confesses.
On what keeps her on her toes these days, she says, “I’m currently working on an album comprising Meera bhajans, called Bhaire Baanvari. I will be presenting songs from the album in Chennai soon. Apart from that, regular concerts and composing for dance programmes keep me busy.”
Jayashri has also brought out several albums on lullabies. “I sang lullabies that I composed for my son Amrit. Few of my friends heard this and said I should bring out an album on lullabies. Since then, I’ve been bringing out lullaby albums almost every year,” she says.
People find music relaxing, but for Jayashri, who breathes music, besides being relaxing, it’s her source of joy. “I unwind with music. It has many purposes — it heals, makes one happy and is a great stress-buster. It’s impossible to define what music does to one’s soul. It has a positive effect on everyone. So, it’s no wonder that even though I’m associated with music, it helps me lighten up too,” she signs off.
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