Soul-stirring music by mellifluous Sudha…

The music lovers had a memorable and an unforgettable evening last Friday. After all, they had come to listen to the "Queen of Music", their very own Sudha Raghunathan.
It was not surprising to see the whole hall packed. Sincere fans of Sudha regretted for not coming early and were even ready to stand and listen to the 2.5 hours concert.

The audience intently waited for Sudha to commence. She began the recital in the melodious rag Kamas. The kriti sung with full vigor and enthusiasm set the tone for the rest of the evening. The accompanying artists too joined in the making of this beautiful beginning. The whole troupe offered a garland of flowers to the Lord with this opening kriti in what was a wonderful amalgam of ragam, talam, and pallavi.

Sudha next paid her salutations to the remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesh. The kriti Siddhi Vinayakem Anisham set to the popular rag Shanmughapriya slowly gave a glimpse of the immense talent this young lady possessed. She sang with so much ease and confidence that we were all literally transported to another world, the wonderful world of music where one feels peace and oneness with the Lord.

Before plunging headlong into the rest of the concert, here is a brief insight on the life of Sudha.

Born to traditional and devout parents, Sudha like every other young Brahmin girl learnt music from a very young age. As she grew older, she started participating in many competitions. Undoubtedly, in all of them, she came first. I remember her saying in one of the interviews that it was never her ambition or desire to become a carnatic musician. That she did is the wonderful plan of the Almighty and indeed a gift to humanity. While at college, she won the prestigious scholarship from the government of Tamil Nadu to learn music from the great artist, Smt.M.L.Vasanthakumari. Her musical journey started then and has since never looked back. As she took wings under Smt.MLV, she slowly mastered all the subtle nuances and variations of carnatic music. She began her career singing along side her guru. Later, after the demise of the great vidushi, she took off on her own. Slowly but steadily she began to climb the rungs of the carnatic music ladder and has achieved appreciation, accolades, and immense fame. Not to say, in the least, the numerous awards coming her way.

Continuing with the concert description. Known as the most popular carnatic artist, Sudha indeed lived up to the title. She sang many popular kritis, most of them loved by the audience. This included Tyagaraja kritis in raga Sri and Lathangi. The swara alapana in Lathangi often reaching the crescendo uplifted the spirits of all those present.

During the second half of the concert, many small children eagerly passed on chits to listen to their favorite songs. Sudha did not disappoint these little ones and those gathered to listen to her. One can call this session of the concert as the audience session. For, Sudha sang many melodious songs that the audience too joined her humming now and then.

She first sang the kriti, Alaipayuthey… set to the rag Kanada. The spirit and the atmosphere too waved to the beauty of the song to match its lyrics. The staggering mind got attracted and attuned with this song that all of us got lost in the music. Next was a Ragamalika kriti. The kriti Bhavayamee…composed by the ardent devotee of Lord Rama, Saint Tyagaraja, was a wonderful combination of the ragas Saveri, Mukhari, and Natakuranji. The instrumental musicians spared no effort in making this one a grand success.

There was so much harmony in the music that the audience indeed became one with it. Despite the time getting past 9, music lovers were hooked to their seats and were engrossed in the music. Towards the end, Sudha sang two more favorite kritis. This time it was Mokshamu… set to the old rag Hindolam. It was as though Sudha wanted to remind all those present the ultimate aim of life, that of getting moksha. Singing this with full devotion to the Lord, she made us all realize that there is no other path easier than music to attain one’s goal.

It was now the time for the accompanying artists to leave their mark. Realizing this, Sudha sang Nagumomo…set to the rag Abheri. The thaneeyavartham commenced and indeed it was a perfect finish for the evening.

As the concert ended, all left with a peaceful mind and a light heart. The concert was food for the mind and soul and it also appeased the hunger of all. Seldom did anyone realize the passage of time. That is the hallmark of an artist, to make the audience get immersed in the music so that it has a long lasting effect. That surely Sudha did as the songs still ring in the ears and the tune hummed by the mind.