Jump to content

Aruna Sairam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vidushi Aruna Sairam
Aruna Sairam in 2013
Born (1952-10-30) 30 October 1952 (age 72)[1]
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation(s)Vice-chairman of Sangeet Natak Academy, vocalist
Honours
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, veena
Websitearunasairam.org

Sangita Kalanidhi Aruna Sairam is an Indian classical vocalist and carnatic music singer. She is a recipient of the Padma Shri award from the Government of India and was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Academy (India's premier national institution for music and dance) by the Government of India until 2022.[2] In 2011, Aruna was the first Carnatic musician to perform at the BBC proms in London. She is also the first Carnatic musician to perform in Oud Festival of Israel (Jerusalem).

Early life

[edit]

Vidhushi Aruna Sairam was born in Mumbai into a Tamil musical family. She received vocal training from her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman, who was a student of the Alathur Brothers and Thanjavoor Sankara Iyer.[3][4][5] Her father Shri Sethuraman [6][7] was a music connoisseur who hosted musicians and dancers in the family home. At one of these gatherings, Aruna met Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. T. Brinda,[8][9][10] who trained her in the style of Veena Dhanammal.[11][12] Indian-American business executive and former chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, is Aruna's niece.[13]

Over the following years, Aruna performed Carnatic music, drawing on the influences of Mumbai and in a pure classical style. She was influenced by film, western and Hindustani (northern Indian) classical music.[14] She ushered in a new approach to concert presentation, extending the boundaries of the Carnatic repertoire while retaining classical grammar and tradition.[15]

Aruna Sairam has two daughters, Gayathri and Maithreyee. Gayathri Sairam's wedding reception in 2011 was grand, and covered by national media.[16] Maitreyee Krishnaswami (1974-2020) succumbed to cancer in Seattle at the age of 45.[17]

Training

[edit]

Aruna Sairam was taught by Sangeeta Kalanithi T. Brinda.[18][9][19][20][21]

Shri S Ramachandran,[22] from the bani (style) of Chittor Subramanya Pillai,[23] expanded her already wide repertoire and taught her the fine nuances of nereval singing (improvising within poetic texts). A S Mani, a disciple of Tiger Vardacharyar,[23] guided her through the creative process of swara singing (improvising with the sol-fa). Prof T R Subramanyam,[24][25][26] an acclaimed music professor at Delhi University,[23] taught Aruna to sing and spontaneously compose within ragam-tanam-pallavi. K S Narayanaswamy.[23]

Despite her extensive training, Sairam felt the need for guidance in voice training to become capable of fully expressing her creativity and knowledge through her voice. She met German voice maestro Eugene Rabine,[27] who helped her discover and apply a new sound and emotion to her voice. She later took advice and guidance from Carnatic singer M. Balamuralikrishna.[23] To this day, she remains in touch with the New York-based voice teacher David Jones.[28]

Career

[edit]

India

[edit]

Aruna Sairam has performed at the Indian President's official residence – Rashtrapati Bhavan – and the memorials to Indian prime ministers Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal and Rajiv Gandhi at Veer Bhoomi.[29] She has also performed across the country at venues including The Music Academy in Chennai,[30] the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai, Siri Fort Auditorium in Delhi, and at seminars and the festival held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in Delhi, the Music Forum in Mumbai, and the Kolkata's Sangeet Research Academy.[31]

International

[edit]

This experience gave her a mission to make South Indian classical music global. She performed at the BBC Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall.[32][33] as the first South Indian classical vocalist in the Proms' then-116-year history in 2011. Sairam has also performed at New York's Carnegie Hall, Paris's Théâtre de la Ville[34][35] and Morocco's Fes Festival of World Sacred Music.[23][36]

Collaborations

[edit]

Aruna Sairam has collaborated with many artists across the globe. Here is a list of some of the artists with whom Sairam has collaborated:

India

[edit]

• Shankar Mahadevan [37][38]• U. Srinivas [39][40][41]• Vid. Neela Bhagwat • Jayanti Kumaresh [42]• Coke Studio- Ram Sampath [43]• Sudha Raghunathan [44]• Agam Band [45]• Zakir Hussain [46]• Ronu Majumdar • Haricharan [47]• Thayir Sadam Project [48][49] • Malavika Sarukkai (Dancer) • Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi • Kaushiki Chakraborty • Padma Subrahmanyam • Gaurav Majumdar • Vivek Sagar

International

[edit]

• Dominique Vellard [50][51]• Michael Riemann [52]• Christian Bollman [52]• Hari Sivanesan [53]• Nouruddine Tahiri [54]• Jesse Bannister [55]• Vijay Iyer [56]• Rajika Puri (Dancer) [57]• Soumik Datta[46] • Marco Horvat • Rudresh Mahanthappa

Awards and recognitions

[edit]

Sairam has won many national and international awards, including the Padma Shri and the US Congress Proclamation of Excellence.

She received Chevalier Award by French Government on 5 November 2022.

  • Kalidas Samman from the Government of Madhya Pradesh, 2020
  • Sangeetha Kalanidhi from the Madras Music Academy, 2018[58]
  • Padma Shri from the Government of India, 2009[59]
  • Aruna Sairam has been appointed as vice-chairman of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, 2015[60]
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Government of India, 2014[61]
  • Isai Mani Magudam Award by Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, Chennai, 2015[62]
  • Arsha Kala Bhushanam Award by Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Coimbatore, 2014[63]
  • Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar Award by Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar Memorial Trust Chennai, 2013[64]
  • Shri P. Obul Reddy and Smt. P. Gnanambal Award 2012[65]
  • Indira Sivasailam Endowment Award, 2012[66]
  • Sangita Kala Nipuna by Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Chennai, 2012[67]
  • Sake of Honour Award by Rotary Club of Ambattur 2011[68]
  • U S Congress Proclamation of Excellence, 2008[23]
  • Gaana Padmam by Brahma Gana Sabha, 2008[69]
  • The "Kalaimamani" by the Government of Tamil Nadu, 2006[70]
  • The "Isai Selvam" by the Government of Tamil Nadu, 2006[71]
  • Sangita Choodamani by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha Chennai, 2006[72]
  • Aruna Sairam has been appointed the Advisor to the Department of Culture, Tamil Nadu, on Musical Education by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.[73]

Recordings

[edit]

As of 2019, Sairam has recorded over 60 records.[74] Her recordings span classical repertoires, thematic presentations, concert recordings and collaborations with German, French, Moroccan and other international artists. Six of her albums have been produced and distributed in Europe and the US. She has collaborated with artists including French artistry Dominque Vellard and Christian Bollman of Germany, as well as with eminent Hindustani musicians. She has also released "Aruna: Thousand Names of the Divine Mother", an album containing sacred chants from the Lalitha Sahasaranamam.[74]

Teaching

[edit]

Aruna Sairam has undertaken various mentoring programmes, notably the 2011 BBC World Routes Academy Project by BBC Radio 3.[75]

She has written a detailed thesis about voice training and she tutors young artists in this subject. In 2014, she was invited as a Faculty to the International Jazz Convention at the Banff Centre, Canada, by its Director Vijay Iyer.[76]

Every year, The Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata invites Aruna as a mentor and member of its expert committee and as the external examiner for the graduating scholars of the academy.[31]

Foundation

[edit]

She and her husband have set up the Nadayogam Trust, which gives performance opportunities to young musicians. Under the Nadayogam Trust, a scholarship scheme has been instituted, through which violins were given to students of S V College of Music and Dance, Tirupati. The trust also maintains an archive of teaching materials and a collection of recordings.[28][77]

Critical reception

[edit]

Aruna has been well received by overseas publications across her performances. In 2011, Pulse Connects called her the "darling of Carnatic vocal music" before her performance at the BBC Proms.[78] Outlook Magazine compared her talent to that of famed vocalist M S Subbulakshmi, calling her purity of voice, diction, sruti alignment and singing, similar to those of Subbulakshmi's.[79][80]

London Evening Standard has called her the "New Queen of Soul", comparing her with Aretha Franklin.[81][82][83]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Aruna Sairam". Sangeet Natak Akademi. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Entertainment Delhi / Music : Song of the soul". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 February 2006. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  3. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Delhi / Music : Song of the soul". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 2006-02-17. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  4. ^ Balasubramanian, V. (27 October 2014). "Reinvention of an artist". The Hindu.
  5. ^ Mohan, R. (27 October 2014). "The melody of classical notes". buzzintown.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.
  6. ^ Venkatraman, L. (27 October 2014). "Face-To-Face". sabhash.com.
  7. ^ Rajan, Anjana (27 October 2014). "Her own zone". The Hindu.
  8. ^ Padmanabhan, G. (27 October 2014). "In tune with creativity". The Hindu.
  9. ^ a b Ramesh, D. (27 October 2014). "Her voice cuts across frontiers". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 September 2014.
  10. ^ Jagannathan, S. (27 October 2014). "Aruna Sairam, a listeners' artiste". carnaticdarbar.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Artist of the month". itcsra.org. 27 October 2014.
  12. ^ Ganesh, D. (27 October 2014). "Echoing voices within". The Hindu.
  13. ^ "TN remembers PepsiCo's 'Iron woman'". Hindustan Times. 17 August 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  14. ^ Rodricks, Allan Moses (27 March 2018). "A seamless blend of Carnatic, Hindustani and contemporary jazz music". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  15. ^ Rajan, Anjana (14 October 2010). "Her own zone". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Gayathri Sairam's grand wedding reception". The Times of India. 7 July 2011.
  17. ^ Maitreyi Krishnaswamy 1974 - 2020 Retrieved 21 November 2022
  18. ^ Padmanabhan, G. (2011). In tune with creativity. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/in-tune-with-creativity/article2503172.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  19. ^ Jagannathan, S. (2012). Aruna Sairam, a listeners' artiste. carnaticdarbar.com. [online] Available at: http://www.carnaticdarbar.com/review/2012/review_125.asp Archived 27 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  20. ^ Balasubramanian, V. (2012). Bhavam ruled. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/bhavam-ruled/article4172389.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  21. ^ Ramani, V. (2014). Sailing from one raga to the next. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/sailing-from-one-raga-to-the-next/article6485219.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014]
  22. ^ The Hindu, (2009). Reinvention of an artist. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/article69922.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  23. ^ a b c d e f g itcsra.org, (2014). Artist of the month. [online] Available at: http://www.itcsra.org/aom/artist_ of the_month.asp [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  24. ^ "Friday Review Chennai / Events : Odyssey of a musician". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  25. ^ Ramnarayan, G. (2010). Soaring songs. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/soaring-songs/article904263.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  26. ^ Ramnarayan, G. (2010). Eclectic range. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/eclectic-range/article870898.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  27. ^ The Times of India, (2012). Seeking the right tone. [online] Available at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Seeking-the-right-tone/articleshow/17749659.cms [Accessed 30 October 2014].
  28. ^ a b Rajan, A. (2014). Quest for the best. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/quest-for-the-best/article5922104.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  29. ^ Swaminathan, C. (2014). A new season of promise. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-new-season-of-promise/article6001381.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  30. ^ The Times of India, (2011). Let The Music Play. [online] Available at: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMS8xMS8zMCNBcjAyMzAw Archived 27 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine [Accessed 30 October 2014].
  31. ^ a b narthaki.com, (2010). Performance par excellence. [online] Available at: http://www.narthaki.com/info/rev10/rev857.html [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  32. ^ The Times of India, (2011). Carnatic music to debut in BBC Prom. [online] Available at: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/07/23&PageLabel=10&EntityId=Ar01002&ViewMode=HTML [Accessed 30 October 2014].
  33. ^ The Times of India The Crest Edition, (2011). The voice that rocked Albert Hall. [online] Available at: http://www.timescrest.com/culture/the-voice-that-rocked-albert-hall-5968 Archived 28 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine [Accessed 27 October 2014]
  34. ^ sabhash.com, (2012). Face to Face. [online] Available at: http://www.sabhash.com/music/face-to-face/8/aruna-sairam---by-lakshmi-venkatraman.htm [Accessed 30 October 2014].
  35. ^ The Hindu, (2008). Top U.S. honours for Aruna Sairam. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article1435391.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  36. ^ Ramnarayan, G. (2010). Soaring songs. The Hindu. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/soaring-songs/article904263.ece [Accessed 30 October 2014].
  37. ^ Swaminathan, G. (7 October 2010). "Meeting of minds". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  38. ^ Kumar, Divya (23 September 2010). "An ode to India". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  39. ^ SAIRAM, ARUNA (19 September 2014). "U Srinivas: an artiste who put Carnatic on the world map". @businessline. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  40. ^ Rao, V. Prabhakar (17 March 2016). "Voice and instrument merge seamlessly". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  41. ^ "Aruna Sairam to light up Margazhi with Raghavendra Rao, Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan and SV Ramani". www.indulgexpress.com. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  42. ^ "London Gears Up for Darbar Fest | International Newspaper From London". Asian Lite News. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  43. ^ "Striking The Right Chords". The Indian Express. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  44. ^ Swaminathan, G. (30 March 2017). "Aruna Sairam and Sudha Ragunathan: a confluence of styles". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  45. ^ Ramakrishnan, M. V. (12 November 2015). "Aruna Sairam meets Agam". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  46. ^ a b "Legendary Carnatic singer Aruna Sairam and sarod virtuoso Soumik Datta to collaborate". www.radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  47. ^ "An Inclusive Journey of Music – Culturama". Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  48. ^ "'Imagine' the 'Loka Samasta' with Aruna Sairam and the Thayir Sadam Project". The Times of India. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  49. ^ "Aruna Sairam & The Thayir Sadam Project Featured The SaPa Choir | RITZ". RITZ Magazine. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  50. ^ Ramani, V. v (1 February 2018). "Collaboration revived". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  51. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (8 February 2018). "Carnatic music meets Gregorian chants". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  52. ^ a b Christian Bollmann, Aruna Sayeeram & Michael Reimann - Kaljani, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 22 May 2020
  53. ^ "Prom 17: World Routes Academy". BBC Music Events (in Irish). Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  54. ^ "TRIALOGUE A project around South Indian, Moroccan and European medieval traditions. Aruna Saïram, Noureddine Tahiri, Dominique Vellard". www.glossamusic.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  55. ^ Mohanam by Aruna Sairam and Jesse Bannister, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 22 May 2020
  56. ^ "Review: Vijay Iyer brings Ojai Music Festival to rousing, borders-blurring finish". San Diego Union-Tribune. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  57. ^ "FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH Celebrates Indian Dance In America". Broadway World. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  58. ^ Kolappan, B. (15 July 2018). "Sangita Kalanidhi award for Aruna Sairam". The Hindu.
  59. ^ "Jayakanthan, Vivekh, Aruna Sairam among Padma awardees". The Times of India. 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  60. ^ "sangeetnatak.gov.in". sangeetnatak.gov.in. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  61. ^ The Hindu, (2014). President presents Sangeet Natak Akademi awards. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-presents-sangeet-natak-akademi-awards/article5903355.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  62. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Chennai / Medley of art forms". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 10 September 2015. [permanent dead link‍]
  63. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Coimbatore / Non-violence should be practised to avoid conflicts: Swami Dayananda Saraswati". Coimbatore, India: Hindu.com. 17 November 2014.
  64. ^ The Times of India, (2013). Cultural and the Carnatic. [online] Available at: [1] [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  65. ^ "The New Indian Express: Entertainment Chennai / Bhavan's cultural festival". Chennai, India: newindianexpress.com. 24 November 2012. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016.
  66. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Chennai / Indira Sivasailam Endowment award for Aruna Sairam". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 1 September 2012.
  67. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Chennai / Mylapore Fine Arts Club 60 years young". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 11 December 2011.
  68. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Chennai / For the Sake of Honour Award given". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 18 December 2011.
  69. ^ "'www.narthaki.com'". narthaki.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  70. ^ The Hindu, (2006). Kalaimamani awards for 123 artists. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kalaimamani-awards-for-123-artists/article3183730.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  71. ^ "The Hindu: Entertainment Chennai / Muthamizh Peravai awards presented". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 15 February 2006.
  72. ^ The Hindu, (2006). Music festival begins. [online] Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/music-festival-begins/article3086346.ece [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  73. ^ "Aruna Sairam to light up Margazhi with Raghavendra Rao, Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan and SV Ramani".
  74. ^ a b Arunasairam.org, (2014). Welcome to Aruna Sairam Official Site |Aruna Sairam Albums. [online] Available at: http://arunasairam.org/albums.asp [Accessed 30 October 2014].
  75. ^ The Times of India, (2011). Carnatic Music to Debut in BBC Prom. [online] Available at: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TOICH/2011/07/23&PageLabel=10&EntityId=Ar01002&ViewMode=HTML [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  76. ^ "asianamsmakingmusic.tumblr.com". asianamsmakingmusic.tumblr.com.
  77. ^ The New Indian Express, (2013). Book on Vainika T Brinda released. [online] Available at: [2] [Accessed 27 October 2014].
  78. ^ "Pulse, London. 1st October 2011 – Aruna Says". Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  79. ^ "Why I Love Outlook | Outlook India Magazine". Outlook India. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  80. ^ "Aruna Sairam - Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru 2009". Lakshman Sruthi. Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  81. ^ WeGotGuru (10 June 2017). "Aruna Sairam- the Mesmerizing Voice". WeGotGuru. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  82. ^ "Civic Center". sfciviccenter.blogspot.com. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  83. ^ "London Evening Standard, 28 July 2011 – Aruna Says". Retrieved 24 January 2020.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Aruna_Sairam&oldid=1250455980"