"I am lucky to have Vinayakram for my husband …"
– Chandra Vinayakram

Chandra Vinayakram: My parents liked Mr. Vinayakram a lot when they learnt about him. The boy’s party visited us three or four times before finalizing the alliance. But I was confused as to who was the ‘boy’ in question! To clear this confusion, Vinayakram came all alone without bringing anybody with him! I liked him a lot and my parents decided that mutual liking itself was enough for finalizing the marriage. I am having a good life by marrying him. All our children are doing well in the field. The eldest has composed music for four films. I pray that Vinayakram is my husband in my future births too! At the time of our marriage, our family was not that rich. But my father-in-law used to assure me that Vinayakram had a very good future and that we would become prosperous in a few years. My parents-in-law were like God to me. My father-in-law’s words have come true, we are very comfortable today.

Q: Please tell us about ‘Sakthi’ music troupe that you started with your friends abroad …

A: Sakthi’ was born with the combined efforts of violinist L. Shankar, John MacClain, Zakir Hussain and others. My joining the troupe was an interesting story. At that time, it was just one month since I joined All India Radio. ‘Vadhya vrindha’, a new program by ‘Eemani’ Sankara Sastri was gaining popularity. Sankara Sastri took efforts to make all the ‘vidwans’ permanent staff and was successful also in his endeavor. At this juncture, I got an offer to join the ‘Sakthi’ troupe as ‘gatam vidwan’. When the troupe came to Chennai, my father took me there. The troupe was impressed with my performance and promised me that it would make all arrangements for my stay in America for three years and that it would also arrange for the processing of my Green Card. My father wanted me to grab the opportunity and advised me that I could be in the field till I wished as there was no retirement age in the troupe unlike in the government service. When all the ‘vidwans’ in AIR gave requisition letters for permanency of their job, I didn’t give. My wife also valued and believed in my father’s advice. I joined ‘Sakthi’ troupe. When the troupe became popular and staged performances in various countries, I also became popular and consequently prosperous too.

Q: (to Chandra Vinayakram) When your husband was in America you would have had to take care of the family all by yourself … how did you manage?

A: My father-in-law was of great help to me at that time. During his ‘gatam’ and ‘mridangam’ classes, he would ask his grandchildren to sit by his side and put questions to them thereby creating a positive ambience to learn music. During those days, talking over phone was a complicated thing! Whenever my husband used to call from America, my father-in-law would talk to him just a few words and give the phone to me and leave the spot not wanting to create any embarrassment to me. He was such a gentleman. He treated me like his own daughter.