‘Bombay’ Jayashri Ramnath—a versatile singer-composer and Oscar nominee for the score of Life of Pi—is a global icon for Indian classical music. As she readies for the December music season, the accomplished musician opens her heart to Chitra Ramaswamy about what truly moves her.
The nondescript room at Chennai’s IIT Club in East Abhiramapuram suddenly came alive with her arrival. ‘Bombay’ Jayashri—as she is lovingly known owing to her musical beginnings in the city —smiled at us, serene in an orange-and-black handloom sari and simple silver jewellery, her expressive kohl-laden eyes reflecting warmth and honesty, striking the perfect note for a three-hour tête-à-tête.
A singer, composer and teacher with a career spanning over three decades, Jayashri is one of the most sought-after musicians on the Carnatic music firmament today. That said, from Hindustani, Sufi and Arabic music to Western symphony, devotional music and movie numbers, she straddles every musical genre with élan. Whether highlighting the angst of Meera in Bhaire baaware or rendering verses from the Tamil epic Silappadikaram, her silken voice has a meditative quality that brings music to life. Indeed, as I savour each composition in her mellifluous voice, a profound feeling of calm embraces me and I break free of all rigidity and prejudices. This subtle awakening is undoubtedly experienced by fellow aficionados and connoisseurs of music when they hear her evocative renditions.
Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av Harmony - Celebrate Age.
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Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av Harmony - Celebrate Age.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Wrapped In Love
My Dadi Meenakshi Banerji was a short and tubby woman with great gumption who raised 10 citizens of the world.
Sharing Her ‘Mettle'
To me, this bell metal vaarpu, which weighs about 80 kg and is at least 120 years old, is an enduring reminder of my paternal grandmother Aleyamma Abraham.
Medical Overload
Your doctor may walk the talk while writing out your prescriptions but here’s the thing: make sure he hasn’t prescribed one too many.
An Act Of Faith
One act of kindness can save someone’s life.’
Armed For Business
The sheer glory and glamour of the Olive Greens motivated me, a third-generation soldier, to join the Army. Thus I enlisted, brimming with enthusiasm, in 1984.
Capture the fracture
Fracture owing to osteoporosis can have a serious impact on a person’s health and quality of life. Dr Abhijit Y Pawar, consultant orthopaedic spine surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, speaks about the significance of timely intervention in preventing fractures
Friends With Benefits!
Incontinence need not interfere with life.
Yellow, Yellow, Gritty Fellows!
It was a nippy Sunday morning but nothing that would keep the rugged Delhiite away from the annual Senior Citizens’ Run supported by Harmony at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. Not even the mood-dampening smog that had descended on the capital a week earlier could do that! So said 74 year-old Sarla Rani and her band of regulars at the run who arrived at Nehru Stadium on the morning of 19 November even before the sun did. Soon they were joined by busloads of silvers from all over Delhi, Noida and Gurugram.
Magic By The Sea
From Lord Jagannath to oceanside beauty and green initiatives, Braja Sorensen uncovers the many layers of Puri.
Indian Rhapsody
In a span of two decades, Roshen Dalal has attained renown for her painstakingly researched books on history and religions in India. The Puffin History of India and The Puffin History of the World, each in two volumes, have not just received critical acclaim but are bestsellers as well. Her other books include The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths; Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide; The Vedas: An Introduction to Hinduism’s Sacred Texts and The Compact Timeline History of the World.
