In conversation with this iconic musician, a great achiever and above all, a humble and wonderful human being, Aparna S discovers in a recent conversation.
With all the accoloades, accomplishments and successes behind her and an energy par excellance, Dr Sukanya begins the conversation about her life in music, her Surabhi Kala Mandira,
her views and encouragement for youth with a strong emphasis and immense gratitude to her husband, children, sister and entire family. Dr Sukanya says that she could not have
achieved anything without the support and strong foundation of encouragement given by her husband. 'Especially true for women, she says, where she deeply wishes that all women
in our society needs the backing of their spouse and extended family.' This helps a woman set a strong foot and begin a long journey aligned to their own vision and dreams.
This itself speaks a lot about her as a person, who is much larger than the reputation of being a great music icon, that she holds. A person who prefers and prioritizes it to involve,
remember and acknowledge all people who have helped, encouraged and backed her to be successful.
Commendable, i would say!
I sense a great sincerity, a wonderfully empathetic tone, a great femininity in her voice and understand that this is the valuable quality that one can find in her music, in her renditions and performances,
which makes her a great musician and sets her performances reach all segments of audiences and people, across the society. 'It has not been easy,' she says and continues, 'it takes years of
dedication, hours of practise and nearly a penance-like giving to the art' to get anywhere close to achieving even moderate accomplishment! As a child, Sukanya had an early initiation into music because her
mother was a musician herself. She grew up in an atmosphere of classical music, in a family which encouraged music, culture and arts. As one can see, this atmosphere and environment had an early
and deep impact on the young and vulnerable child, as she took to the art, early and perhaps, much easily, since it was all around and inside her! Lucky, she says! Dr Sukanya continued to train under her mother
for many years and completed her professional training and education in music.
On the behest of the great Kuvempu, Dr Sukanya embarked on a wonderful mission to complete her doctorate in the contributions of Shri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar to Classical Carnatic music. It was indeed
a milestone for Dr Sukanya and a moment of great satisfaction as she says her doctorate enhanced her understanding and built her knowledge on the great Wodeyar's contributions to music. In fact, she recalls
how this was a stepping stone in her life and she began a new chapter, a new phase in her life. During our conversation, Dr Sukanya repeats how an appropriate and encouraging family atmosphere can go a
long way in enabling a woman to achieve something beyond the norm.
SURABHI KALA MANDIRA is a great achievement, another significant milestone in Dr Sukanya's life. In fact, what began as a small step towards the development of music is today a well known, renowned and
a great Institution for the development and perpetuation of music. In my view, its a great innovation and creation by Dr Sukanya, in fact, its a great gift to the next generation to pursue and preserve. The Institute not
only teaches upcoming musicians but also provides a great platform for developing music education, research and analysis, workshops, concerts, performances and more. The Institute also brings out a magazine called
SURABHI SINCHANA - a project which involves all students of the Institute at various levels. In all her wisdom, Dr Sukanya says, 'one cannot all students who come there to be great musicians, vocalists or performers...
each students have their own strengths and talent. It is important and i spend a significant amount of my time in identfying strengths of each of the students and accordingly, assign them activites or nurture those aspects
of their talent, so that they excel and set new and high standards for themselves.' I think this was spoken like a true, sincere and wonderful teacher and as one can understand, not many would even think about it in this way.
Typically, she tries to lend her focus and time to three or four key aspects related to music and teaching. One is what she defines as her motto and also the motto of her Institute - which is to encourage and practise what is
called as SOUHARDA SAHRIDAYATE - broadly, one can define it as an ability and choice to recognize and appreciate the good qualities and talents of each other, and also to promote a good and co-operative environment.
It is important to inculcate these qualities in students at an young and impressionable age because they will grow to learn and respect other individuals and practise to live in harmony. So, as i said before and as one can
see, Dr Sukankya is not only a musician, running an institute, performing and teaching but far beyond that, teaching and creating positive and progressive change at the very grass roots, itself. Truly, commendable!
Dr Sukanya encourages all her students to attend workshops, concerts, thematic programs and come back with their own perspective and feedback. She also encourages the students to write about their experiences
of a concert, a certain raga or any aspect related to classical music. This will ensure they are focused and in-touch with the immense treasure of our classical music heritage, she says.
What is music mean to you, i ask her? She says, 'music is everything - music is life, it touches every aspect of life and reality. There is music in everything - Music has the power and energy to change and heal. Music
is rejuvenating and life giving. It has taught me acceptance, understanding and tremendous patience and tolerance, she says, with an inner light of knowledge and wisdom. When i ask her on her various projects anad
activities, she mentions that through her institute, they have been able to present classical music in an innovative way so that it reaches the masses, it reaches a wider set and group of audiences. One memorable project is when they presented Purandaradasa's Keerthanas on his Piligrimages through visuals and a power point presentation -- using various pictures, short trivia and vital information on the place and its significance. Another such project - is the presentation of Dikshitar's composition on the ELEMENTS - it is also amazing to learn so much about our heritage. This also makes the experience insightful, interesting and truly, innovative. Dr Sukanya agrees with me
and says, our classics are indeed a great treasure trove - the deeper you go, you find that there is lots more to do and go. Dr Sukanya says, my effort and initiative to set up the Institute is that it should live beyond a person, it should grow beyond the dependency of its creator and should run independently with the sole aim and vision of developing music. She says, there are many initiatives taken up which are so gratifying and satisfying - one being, where once a week, she teaches simple devaranamas to senior citizens. It is surprising and overwhelming to see their dedication and passion at this age. So for good music and learning - age is hardly a barrier! In addition to this, they also work in abalashramas, Government schools and so on. 'If you set your mind and focus on it, anything is possible and of course there is absolutely no room for compromise,' she says.
In our society, there is a great need for organizations, groups and institutions like Ananys, she says. Any group that works towards the development of music and promoting music to the masses needs to be supported and
encouraged. These are the platforms for upcoming and talented musicians in our country. All our youth should indulge in some form of art or fine arts. This will ensure their holistic development, she speaks with a purpose and
great vision. Awards and recognition are important because that indicates that society and a group of experts believe you have laid your step in the right direction...!
Kudos!
Here is a lady with a great vision, an important purpose, a great dedication and an unmissable passion. Above all, her humility and her ability to be so approachable and warm, is what makes her a great human being. Her
energy, her enthusiasm, her talent and passion is and should be infectious to all of us! Our best wishes are with her, always!
In conversation with this iconic musician, a great achiever and above all, a humble and wonderful human being, Aparna S discovers in a recent conversation.
With all the accoloades, accomplishments and successes behind her and an energy par excellance, Dr Sukanya begins the conversation about her life in music, her Surabhi Kala Mandira,
her views and encouragement for youth with a strong emphasis and immense gratitude to her husband, children, sister and entire family. Dr Sukanya says that she could not have
achieved anything without the support and strong foundation of encouragement given by her husband. 'Especially true for women, she says, where she deeply wishes that all women
in our society needs the backing of their spouse and extended family.' This helps a woman set a strong foot and begin a long journey aligned to their own vision and dreams.
This itself speaks a lot about her as a person, who is much larger than the reputation of being a great music icon, that she holds. A person who prefers and prioritizes it to involve,
remember and acknowledge all people who have helped, encouraged and backed her to be successful.
Commendable, i would say!
I sense a great sincerity, a wonderfully empathetic tone, a great femininity in her voice and understand that this is the valuable quality that one can find in her music, in her renditions and performances,
which makes her a great musician and sets her performances reach all segments of audiences and people, across the society. 'It has not been easy,' she says and continues, 'it takes years of
dedication, hours of practise and nearly a penance-like giving to the art' to get anywhere close to achieving even moderate accomplishment! As a child, Sukanya had an early initiation into music because her
mother was a musician herself. She grew up in an atmosphere of classical music, in a family which encouraged music, culture and arts. As one can see, this atmosphere and environment had an early
and deep impact on the young and vulnerable child, as she took to the art, early and perhaps, much easily, since it was all around and inside her! Lucky, she says! Dr Sukanya continued to train under her mother
for many years and completed her professional training and education in music.
On the behest of the great Kuvempu, Dr Sukanya embarked on a wonderful mission to complete her doctorate in the contributions of Shri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar to Classical Carnatic music. It was indeed
a milestone for Dr Sukanya and a moment of great satisfaction as she says her doctorate enhanced her understanding and built her knowledge on the great Wodeyar's contributions to music. In fact, she recalls
how this was a stepping stone in her life and she began a new chapter, a new phase in her life. During our conversation, Dr Sukanya repeats how an appropriate and encouraging family atmosphere can go a
long way in enabling a woman to achieve something beyond the norm.
SURABHI KALA MANDIRA is a great achievement, another significant milestone in Dr Sukanya's life. In fact, what began as a small step towards the development of music is today a well known, renowned and
a great Institution for the development and perpetuation of music. In my view, its a great innovation and creation by Dr Sukanya, in fact, its a great gift to the next generation to pursue and preserve. The Institute not
only teaches upcoming musicians but also provides a great platform for developing music education, research and analysis, workshops, concerts, performances and more. The Institute also brings out a magazine called
SURABHI SINCHANA - a project which involves all students of the Institute at various levels. In all her wisdom, Dr Sukanya says, 'one cannot all students who come there to be great musicians, vocalists or performers...
each students have their own strengths and talent. It is important and i spend a significant amount of my time in identfying strengths of each of the students and accordingly, assign them activites or nurture those aspects
of their talent, so that they excel and set new and high standards for themselves.' I think this was spoken like a true, sincere and wonderful teacher and as one can understand, not many would even think about it in this way.
Typically, she tries to lend her focus and time to three or four key aspects related to music and teaching. One is what she defines as her motto and also the motto of her Institute - which is to encourage and practise what is
called as SOUHARDA SAHRIDAYATE - broadly, one can define it as an ability and choice to recognize and appreciate the good qualities and talents of each other, and also to promote a good and co-operative environment.
It is important to inculcate these qualities in students at an young and impressionable age because they will grow to learn and respect other individuals and practise to live in harmony. So, as i said before and as one can
see, Dr Sukankya is not only a musician, running an institute, performing and teaching but far beyond that, teaching and creating positive and progressive change at the very grass roots, itself. Truly, commendable!
Dr Sukanya encourages all her students to attend workshops, concerts, thematic programs and come back with their own perspective and feedback. She also encourages the students to write about their experiences
of a concert, a certain raga or any aspect related to classical music. This will ensure they are focused and in-touch with the immense treasure of our classical music heritage, she says.
What is music mean to you, i ask her? She says, 'music is everything - music is life, it touches every aspect of life and reality. There is music in everything - Music has the power and energy to change and heal. Music
is rejuvenating and life giving. It has taught me acceptance, understanding and tremendous patience and tolerance, she says, with an inner light of knowledge and wisdom. When i ask her on her various projects anad
activities, she mentions that through her institute, they have been able to present classical music in an innovative way so that it reaches the masses, it reaches a wider set and group of audiences. One memorable project is when they presented Purandaradasa's Keerthanas on his Piligrimages through visuals and a power point presentation -- using various pictures, short trivia and vital information on the place and its significance. Another such project - is the presentation of Dikshitar's composition on the ELEMENTS - it is also amazing to learn so much about our heritage. This also makes the experience insightful, interesting and truly, innovative. Dr Sukanya agrees with me
and says, our classics are indeed a great treasure trove - the deeper you go, you find that there is lots more to do and go. Dr Sukanya says, my effort and initiative to set up the Institute is that it should live beyond a person, it should grow beyond the dependency of its creator and should run independently with the sole aim and vision of developing music. She says, there are many initiatives taken up which are so gratifying and satisfying - one being, where once a week, she teaches simple devaranamas to senior citizens. It is surprising and overwhelming to see their dedication and passion at this age. So for good music and learning - age is hardly a barrier! In addition to this, they also work in abalashramas, Government schools and so on. 'If you set your mind and focus on it, anything is possible and of course there is absolutely no room for compromise,' she says.
In our society, there is a great need for organizations, groups and institutions like Ananys, she says. Any group that works towards the development of music and promoting music to the masses needs to be supported and
encouraged. These are the platforms for upcoming and talented musicians in our country. All our youth should indulge in some form of art or fine arts. This will ensure their holistic development, she speaks with a purpose and
great vision. Awards and recognition are important because that indicates that society and a group of experts believe you have laid your step in the right direction...!
Kudos!
Here is a lady with a great vision, an important purpose, a great dedication and an unmissable passion. Above all, her humility and her ability to be so approachable and warm, is what makes her a great human being. Her
energy, her enthusiasm, her talent and passion is and should be infectious to all of us! Our best wishes are with her, always!