When Carnatic singer TS Satyavati received a standing ovation at the Music Academy in Chennai five years ago, he spoke at length about his guru RK Srikantan. Now, she is following in her guru’s footsteps and receiving the first Purandar Award, given to her by the Indiranagar Sangeet Sabha in Bengaluru almost three decades ago.
“The Purandar Award is a blessing from my guru. Although every award is an honour, this one is special as it is named after our musical patriarch, Shri Purandara Das. With programs and awards promoting classical arts, Indiranagar Sangeet Sabha is doing a great service to music connoisseurs and East Bengaluruans,” says Satyavathi.
TS Satyavati receiving Ganakalashree. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Like her guru, Das literature holds a place close to Satyavati’s heart; She has released several albums and over four dozen Dussehra Padgalu (hymn) In praise of the saint musician and philosopher Haridas Purandaradasa, born in 15th century.
Satyavati explains, “Almost every saint-composer was inspired by Purandaradasa – from Tyagaraja, who wrote devotional works and the suladi taals of Dikshitar, to the royal Jayachamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore, who preferred a similar rhythmic structure in his compositions. “
Grand openning
Satyavati had a promising start to her musical career, performing for the Maharani of Mysore at the age of two. He was born to TS Srinivas Murthy and Rangalakshmi, a musician interested in Dasa literature. He obtained M.Phil degree in Sanskrit from Bangalore University and his thesis was on ‘Contribution of Abhilashitartha Chintamani (Manasollas) to Indian Music’. Later he also achieved top position in his scholarship in Carnatic classical music.
Playful but observant, “Music came to me freely while growing up,” says Satyavati, remembering the stress of her mother’s Dussehra post. Initially trained by her sisters, Vasantha Madhavi and Vasundhara, she received expert guidance under RK Srikantan.
His first performance at the age of 16 was at the Karnataka Ganakala Parishad. With an interest in research-based study of music, he developed his skills under the guidance of musicologist BVK Sastri and due to his interest in rhythm, he studied Mridangam under Venkataraman, Bangalore.
TS Satyavati Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Now 70, Satyavati says she never thought of herself as a scholar – singing, teaching Sanskrit, writing innumerable letters and leading musical productions. Crediting all her achievements to her childhood and educational influences, she says, “I lived in VV Puram as a schoolgirl in the late 1960s and studied at Maharashtra Mahila Vidyalaya (now Vasavi Vidyaniketan). Later I took admission in Acharya Pathshala College. I remember well participating in Sanskrit competitions RamayanaDevotional and patriotic songs, as well sect like a song district During (folk) festivals and occasions.
“The lesson in Sanskrit will include the works of Kalidasa Raghuvansh, Shakuntala And meghdootRight from high school, music was one of my favorite subjects. I believe that music and Sanskrit are my eyes, which bless me with the vision of an artist.
at the feet of my guru
Just as RK Srikantan (RKS) trained hundreds of students with individual classes and distance learning programmes, Satyavathi also believes in taking music forward by building blocks of creativity within the framework of tradition. “My journey as a student of RKS dates back to the days when I received the National Cultural Scholarship and chose to learn the rare compositions of Trinity under him, which I continued from 1974 to 2014.”
Satyavathi remembers a workshop in Shivamogga where RKS asked her to handle a concert as he was feeling unwell. “Despite the pain in his back, RKS waited for me to finish singing so that he could come to the mic and appreciate my performance.”
TS Satyavati receiving Sangeet Pracharya. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Despite receiving many awards over the years, Satyavati is most proud of the fact that 16 of her students are Akashvani artistes proficient in Sanskrit. On February 9, he will also be honored with Kala Jyoti from Naad Jyoti Sabha in Malleshwaram.
epic presentation
‘Ramayana Geetayanam’ will be presented by TS Satyavathi, his team of students and other performing artistes after the Purandara awardee on January 24 at 5 pm. “I have removed Valmiki’s verses Ramayana, Verses that reflect particular moods and emotions (feeling of interest) and set them to music. Some structured compositions are prescribed LockWhereas there are some verses which have been expanded. I have chosen verses that illustrate almost all juices Such as makeup, humor, compassion, semen, wonder And Rudra.,
why did he choose thought provoking shubhbantuvarali For ‘Dasaratha Vilapa’, she says, “one has to feel the vision of the composer, remember the lines and inspire you to employ the right raga scale.”
For ‘Gangavataran’ where Vishwamitra describes to Lord Rama and Lakshmana how Bhagiratha reduces the flow of Ganga, he has chosen Atana to explain the slow flow of the river. Two of Satyavathi’s students, Arathi Balasubramaniam and KS Sumana, will provide narration for the production featuring eight singers.
The Purandar Awards followed by the Ramayan musical performance will be held at Indiranagar Sangeet Sabha; 24th January, 5 pm onwards
published – January 22, 2025 03:03 PM IST
