Lalgudi Jayaraman

Q: Is your wife’s family also interested in music? Have they performed stage concerts?

A: It would be better if my wife replies to this question.

Mrs. Jayaraman took over …

Mrs: My wedding took place in the year 1958. I was only 18 at that time. In our family, all were interested in music. But, there were no vidwans in our family. After marriage, my interest in music grew. Vidwans used to come and sing at our house on special days. My taste improved and deepened. My father-in-law treated me as his own daughter. My husband has three sisters. My father-in-law would treat me on par with them.

Now, Mr. Jaraman resumed …

Q: You’ve received many titles. What do you feel about the same?

A: I feel really happy thinking about them. But the credit should go to my father only. I received Padmasri award when I was 72 years and in the year 2002, I was awarded Padmavibhushan. In the year 1979, I was the Devasthan vidwan of the Tirupathi temple. The then chief minister MGR wrote a letter to me in which he described himself as being one among my thousands of fans. He appointed me as the government artist for five years. I’ve performed many times at Rashtrapathi Bhavan in the presence of the President. Also, I had been lucky to participate in all the music programs held in foreign countries.

Q: They say that if the father himself is the guru, he cannot be that strict and so the children cannot learn perfectly. What is your opinion?

A: My father is the first guru for my children. My son Krishnan and daughter Vijayalakshmi were interested in music even from their early days. When my father was alive, Thirupukazh bhajan would be held daily. My son, when he was just three, would play accompaniment using an empty container! My father would also play using a utensil! He would call my son and ask him to identify the swarams for a bird’s chirping! He would teach music playfully. After him, I took over. I was the guru for my children but they’ve learnt well.

Q: Please tell us about the present generation’s tastes. Also please advice them on how to have a successful marriage …

A: Today’s generation is really very intelligent. They’ve very good grasping power. They’ve good opportunities to display their talent through various media. Many young software engineers are simultaneously rendering concerts also. Visaka Hari, S. P. Ram and Bombay Jayashree learnt vocal music from me. Today’s boys and girls are very hard working. They are sincere also. And, they are successful in running a household also after marriage. But, there should be give and take policy between husband and wife. No problem should be blown out of proportion. Family is above everything.

We took leave and left the great vidwan, with mind filled with happiness and satisfaction in having met a veteran artist.