Adam’s Madams

Eve’s Times has a platform for the Chennai Man too. Here’s a column exclusively designed for the Chennai Man who can express his views, thoughts, emotions and indeed his admiration for the Chennai woman and other women in his life. Inviting young men to talk about their lives and times and ways in which women have influenced their lives for better or worse…

Carnatic Musician Unnikrishnan

I have attained my present status due to the influence of the women in my life. I know that I owe my career and progress to many people and gurus who have nurtured me and groomed me and I am thankful to every one of them.

My Mother

During my childhood, I was not very much interested in music. But it was my mother who spotted my talent and goaded me to take up music seriously. As I started training in music I got deeply involved. In my case, my mother was very strong and the push she gave me is the reason why I am here today. My father encouraged my interest in cricket, which I used to play quite seriously. But he left it to me to decide if I wanted to take it up seriously. On the other hand my mother was always encouraging me to take part in music competitions and give performances. I feel that a mother has a little more responsibility when it comes to children, motivating them to take up something during childhood.

My Wife

After marriage, my wife has been a tremendous source of support and encouragement. She takes care of my stage presence, which I was not very much conscious of. She keeps tabs on the latest trend in vogue and is entirely responsible for my wardrobe. When we go shopping, I end up picking up something that may not be suitable, but she advises me and selects appropriate dresses. My wife is my best critique and expresses her comments about my performance candidly. There are times when your performance varies due to various extraneous reasons. She points out my lapses without hesitation that helps me improve myself. Neither mothers, nor friends and outsiders may be candid enough because for them you are the best. Hence it helps to get a candid feedback for performers like us.

My wife is also a good friend and we share so many things. At the end of the day, it feels nice to tell someone close to you, everything you want to share. All these make life enjoyable and are very important in life.

My Guru

I have had several gurus who have trained me. But Smt. Savithri Satyamurthy has been the guru who has laid a strong foundation. While I was training under Dr.S.Ramanathan, he fell very sick and he entrusted me under her care. Smt. Savithri was a strict disciplinarian. It is her austere training that has helped me understand the nuances of grammar. Sometimes, the musician has a tendency to stray away from the swara sthanas, the grammar. But having obtained a very strong foundation, it helps me to retain my own style without deviating from the grammar even if I train under many musicians. Her contribution to my grooming as a classical Carnatic musician is invaluable.