Madras Music Mela 2001 - Interview with S Sowmya

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MADRAS MUSIC MELA 2001

MEET SANGEETA KALA BHARATI AND NADA OLI S SOWMYA

S Sowmya, one of the popular women vocalists of today, is also the joint-head of the Carnatica Group, the other being K N Shashikiran. Considered a child prodigy who could identify ragas at the age of 3, Sowmya is known for her scholarly approach to music. Also qualified academically, Sowmya, aged 32, along with Shashikiran produced the world's first CD-ROM and VCD on Carnatic music. She is the recipient of two awards this season - Sangeeta Kala Bharati from the Needamangalam V V S Foundation, and Nada Oli from Naada Inbam. Carnatica's Pushkala Ramakrishnan in a short chat with Sowmya ...

Guru(s):	I learnt from Sangeeta Kalanidhi Dr. S Ramanathan and at his instance, went to Smt. T Mukta. I have also learnt from my father M Srinivasan.

Favorite Vocalist(s) from the past:	I like all bani-s. Generally I like spontaneity and unpredictability in music. That way I like Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer very much.

Favorite Instrumentalist(s) from the past:	I generally like Nagaswaram among instruments. My favorite Nagaswara vidwans are Karakurichi Arunachalam and T N Rajaratnam Pillai.

Favorite Vocalist(s) of the present day:	T N Seshagopalan, for his versatility, K V Narayanaswami and Nedunuri Krishnamurti.

Favorite Instrumentalist(s) of the present day:	Umayalpuram Sivaraman undoubtedly.

Favorite Composer(s):	I like all composers.

Favorite Raga(s):	I like all rakti ragas because of their extensive scope for elaboration and inherent bhava. I also like Ghana ragas as they are unique to Carnatic music.

Favorite Venue(s):	Any venue with good acoustics and lighting.

Favorite Hobbies:	Painting, embroidery and cooking. I read a lot of books too.