Remembering the Phenomenon “Lalgudi”

Today marks the 95th birth anniversary of the one and only violin maestro, Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, whose contribution to the world of Karnatak music is immeasurable, monumental, extraordinary and brilliant across multiple dimensions such as performance, composition and teaching all in magnificence and abundance.

The phenomenon that is “Lalgudi” has won the hearts and minds of countless musicians and rasikas. The ability to play even a single piece, Lalgudi Sir had poured his heart and soul into, is a mark of qualification in Karnatak music, and I would say, many young musicians captivate the audience today because of this! Every composition Lalgudi Sir played - whether those of the great masters or his own - shone with a brilliance, born of his deep devotion to Karnatak music and his stature as an unparalleled performer. This became the unmistakable stamp of “Lalgudi".

One of the highlights of my musical journey was my close association with him during the 1990s after Brhaddhvani came into existence with the blessings of Jagadguru Kamakoti Paramacharya. The divine sound of the Jagadguru uttering the name “Brhaddhvani”, while holding the Trust Deed in his hands and listening to my vina playing and chanting of the Durga Suktam (on 30 Nov 1989) still echoes in my ears to this day.

In much the same way, I can still feel the musical vibrations of Sri Lalgudi’s hands in mine having held them for fifteen consecutive days from the New Moon to the Full Moon in the year 2013. I was not fortunate enough to learn from him, but I feel blessed to think that the power above granted my prayer to be with him! I expressed my wish to Lalgudi Sir’s wife, Smt. Rajalakshmi (I called her “Lalgudi mami”), that I would chant Durga Suktam for her husband’s well-being during the waxing of moon. She granted permission. I would conduct prayers very early in the morning and visit him at 4 pm with prasaadam. He would be eagerly waiting for my arrival to listen to my chanting of Durga Suktam. Lalgudi mami would take me to his room and leave me with him to prepare special coffee for me, a service she would do to all guests. I would firmly hold his hands and gently feel the veins in his wrist and chant Durga Suktam. He would shut his eyes in meditation. I could feel the musical vibrations in his heartbeats.

His violin was his body in touch with his soul, vibrating in the hearts of his rasikas eternally!

On behalf of Brhaddhvani, I offer my pranaams to the greatest violin maestro - the phenomenon that is Lalgudi - on his birth anniversary today! As a special offering, I am sharing this video of Brhaddhvani students singing one of his tunes in his presence. It is my prayer that this spirit continues to inspire musicians and rasikas for generations to come.