Carnatic music is all about personality: Aruna Sairam

With a career spanning over 50 years, Aruna Sairam is called Vidushi for all the right reasons. As we sit down for a conversation, Arunaji (as she is fondly known among her circle), greets us with a warm smile. Her face lights up at the mention of Margazhi music season. When we ask her to reveal her expectation from this season apart from music, she spontaneously responds, “As a performer, I am cannot concentrate on any activities other than my concert. However, during my days as a student, my friends and I used to go Sabha hopping, tasting the delicacies offered at various Sabhas, admiring the attire adorned by the singers and most importantly, observing the artists and learning the nuances of Carnatic music from them.

“Being a rasika was a totally different experience, which I always look forward to,” she says.

Being known for her expressive renditions of songs like Maadu Meikum Kanne, Omkara Swarupa and Jo Jo Rama, Arunaji reveals that when she was struggling to carve a niche for herself in the field of music, she happened to receive the most valuable lesson from an unexpected mentor. “The key was to communicate with passion and love and empathise through music.

Success automatically finds its way to your doorstep,” reminisces Aruna.

Aruna, who has been a part of the concert culture, says it has changed a lot during the last five decades. “Years ago, Carnatic music was perceived as an intellectual and subtle art form.

People had reservations and only the elite crowd or ‘Vidhwans’ enjoyed and understood this contextual art form. I remember such kinds of music used to be conducted at some small auditoriums with a select crowd.

But over the years, I have observed that, through events like ‘Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru’ and many of the shows abroad, there is an evolution with respect to audience’s approach. People from all walks of life have started appreciating Carnatic music. The boundaries have vanished completely.

Be it France’s Théâtre de la Ville or a Sabha in Chennai, Carnatic music is widely loved and applauded by everyone,” says the artiste.

When we ask her to shed some light on how technological advancements have impacted Carnatic music, she says, “My area of speciality is live music, where the mic is one very important invention that helps the singers render without exerting too much. However, the authenticity of live concert lies in singing sans the mike and delivering Swaraas in its purest possible form, as Carnatic music gives equal weightage to Raaga Bhaavam and Sahithya Bhaavam.

The alchemy between the two should be balanced because it moves the audience emotionally and spiritually.”

“With the advent of technology, I feel the music industry has grown a lot. The stream has forked into genres like Carnatic fusion, where the use of electronic instruments like double base and electronic guitar is prominently used. Another branch is Carnatic music in films, where maestros like AR Rahman and SP Balasubramanian have used technology to bring the melodies live on the celluloid screen, for the benefit of the younger crowd. I thoroughly enjoy myself collaborating with various internationally renowned artistes and Indian bands like Coke Studio for fusions. It is a quite fascinating genre,” adds Aruna.

Carnatic music is considered another heritage of Tamil Nadu. When we ask the singer on how it should be passed on to future generation, she says, “When we talk about passing the legacy on to the next generations, I strongly feel that a few of the most famous renditions from every language must be introduced in their study curriculum.”

“With this approach, the kids will not only get to know about their legacy, but enhance their vocabulary and pronunciation skills.”

“Isai Kalvi is not only about the songs but also about overall personality development,” concludes Aruna.

Being Aruna Sairam drives me to ‘up my ante’ and give my best every time I step on the stage. This season, not a single number was repeated in any of my concerts. I keep bettering my showmanship to deliver the best to my rasikas, who are the heart and soul of my concerts.