Chennai:
In India, classical music is said to be a male dominated space. Women were not allowed to give public performances for several years until Carnatic music saw some rule breakers like the famous trinity MS Subbulakshmi, DK Pattammal and ML Vasanthkumari. Several years later a new group of women artists have emerged.
Padma Shri and Sangita Kalanidhi designate Sudha Ragunathan says the gender bias in the Carnatic music field is not gone, but is gradually coming down. At 56, Ms Ragunathan is always seen in six yards of silk and a bunch of jasmine flowers in her braid. The singer is known for glamour as much as her music.
The Music Academy in Chennai which has been conducting the 'Margazhi' (Tamil month) season Music festival has chosen her this year as the 'sangita Kalanidhi', a prestigious award given each year to artists in Carnatic music. Her divine voice most say deserves it, but that a woman was chosen over several senior male artists has raised some eyebrows.
"Of the last 87 years, if the music academy has chosen me, it makes me only the 12th woman to receive it. It is a prestigious award and I'm grateful that the academy has thought out of the box. But I think today's world has opened up to women artists and if there is a person who has accomplished as much, proven her or his mettle in more ways than one then recognition to them should be there," says Ms Ragunthan.
Among the top Carnatic singers are Aruna Sairam, Bombay Jayashri, Nithyashri Mahadevan and several others. It has not been easy for them to grow up the ladder in the same uninterrupted way as their male contemporaries.
"Male artists earlier hesitated to play the 'mridamgam' or other instruments for us," say several younger artists.
Ram Narayan, editor in chief of Classical music magazine Shruti says "We know that there were several reasons quoted by the men to refuse to perform for women earlier, some said women touch very high notes and we cannot reach that!"
The good news is that the attitude is gradually changing. More and more women have proven their mettle in not just singing but also playing instruments. Like young Jayanti Kumaresh, who lets her veena compliment the swaras.