When a seven-year-old Aishwarya V. Shrinivasan sang Yaman Kalyani and wrapped it up with Bhavayami Gopala Balam, her great grandmother M.S. Subbulakshmi would grow emotional and say that the youngster would take her name ahead.
On Friday, 18-year-old Aishwarya will pay a tribute concert to the ‘Queen of Carnatic Music’ on her 98th birth anniversary celebrations organised by Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira at Jayarama Seva Mandali in Jayanagar.
MS’s daughter Radha Vishwanathan learnt from her mother accompanied her to most concerts. Aishwarya, Ms. Vishwanathan’s granddaughter, has learnt nearly 500 kritis from her in the last 10 years. She also takes guidance from Jambu Kannan to expand her perspectives.
Aishwarya’s early entry into music seems significant to the family to take forward the legendary MS style. That Aishwarya happens to be a resident of Bangalore helps bring back memories of Subbulakshmi’s concerts here, especially the sight of the overflowing connoisseurs at Chamarajpet Rama Seva Mandali.
In her homage, Aishwarya will take up some MS-spectaculars. For instance, Narayanathe Namo Namo which MS had popularised in ‘Ghana ragamalika’, Swati Tirunal’s Bhogindra Shaayinam in ‘Kuntalavarali’, and Meera Bhajan Mai Hari Charan Ki Dasi .
What Aishwarya cherishes most is Subbulakshmi’s raga clarity brought over with chiselled brigas . Improvisations at the upper octave had her manoeuvre every phrase that skilfully dwelled on the Gandhara . “My grandmother recollects Semmangudi telling MS — Kunjamma, just stay at the Gandhara , it is heavenly,” Aishwarya says.
