Sanjay Subrahmanyan: I don’t believe in going on stage and then deciding to sing something

Forty years into a career built on rigour, restlessness and reinvention, Sanjay Subrahmanyan reflects on Margazhi, his meticulous preparation, musical instinct, bringing young audiences to concerts, and his love for board games. Excerpts from an interview with the maverick singer, who will be performing at the grand finale of The Times Thyagaraja Awards, an annual initiative by the Times of India, which celebrates and promotes Chennai's rich music and culture, and is one of the city’s most respected platforms for recognising young Carnatic musicians...
We’re now at the fag end of the Margazhi season. How has this season been for you? Do you look back and do a post-season analysis?I don’t really do that. I just go and sing. I am approaching what the government would call retirement age, but that doesn’t apply to the arts. So, I don’t think about it in that way.

You have been active since 1986. At this point — your 40th year on stage — what does the season mean to you?It is just concerts. For me, the season is a chance to sing more in Chennai. Over the last few years, the number of concerts I do here during the rest of the year has come down for various reasons. So, in December, I sing about 10 concerts in one month in Chennai. I was born and brought up here and have sung here all my life, and now, it is almost only during December that I sing extensively here.

But when you started out, what did the season mean?Earlier, it was like a festival. There was a phase when I used to sing 20-25 concerts in 40 days. Every day, you prepared, went, sang and came back — like the office. You also listened to other musicians and were very conscious of what your peers were doing. It was kind of hectic.
Has there been any change in the way you approach a concert from back then to now?
Preparation is something I always do. Early on, I never had a set list. I was too casual. But once I started depending on music for my daily bread, my preparation became serious. From that day till day, that’s how it’s been.

Can you give us a peek into what goes into that preparation?That’s a secret. But you have to practice everything. Even today, I sing every day. Before a concert, I know at least 90-95 per cent of what I am going to sing. I practice those songs again and again. I don’t believe in going on stage and
The grand finale of the 15th The Times Thyagaraja Awards is scheduled for January 17, 5pm, at The Music Academy. The event will have five finalists battling it out for this year’s title, followed by a concert by Sangita Kalanidhi Sanjay Subrahmanyan.

For complimentary invites, WhatsApp <TTA> to 99620 23333 or log on to www.chanceyilla.in or collect from The Times of India, No 19, Venkatanarayana Road, T Nagar (10am to 6pm).

The 15th Times Thyagaraja Awards is presented by Casagrand, powered by Indian Overseas Bank and Hatsun, in association with: Gopuram Turmeric & Kumkum, Shree Anandhaas Sweets and Snacks, Nippo Batteries, Dheepam Oil (Divinity Partner), and SRM Prime Hospital (Health Partner)