MAN PROPOSES

The private secretary of M.S. Sukumari, a well-known playback singer reminded her that a reporter of a popular magazine, would be coming soon for taking an interview. As a matter of friendly advice, he cautioned her not to entertain any controversial topic. Sukumari was well aware that only controversial news fetched more popularity and popularity alone kept the performing artists in the field and in media glare. Some busy reporters send their queries before hand and at the time interview get the response from the artists without wasting their precious time. Sukumari asked the secretary for the questionnaire. There was none.

Sukumari gave extempore replies to the queries of the reporter. There was no technical question for which she to stumble or hesitate. All were personal only, mainly hovering around her musical background, her struggles, her achievements, her enemies, her mentors and role models, support from her family, her future plans, blah blah. The reporter took photos of her medals, her childhood photos, mementos she received from prominent people and of course, her present interview to be posted in You-tube also.

Sukumari thought she escaped the inevitable query, which was making rounds in gossip columns. No. She did not. The cat was out. The reporter before winding up the interview, told her that his job would not be complete without getting fresh comments from her, on the immortal legendary playback singer, Lata Mangeshkar. With due respects to the legendary artist, she said that she took her, as her role model in all respects, but differed gently in only one aspect.

She smilingly acknowledged her previous comments and stood by them and explained how she differed. She started from the beginning…  both Sukumari and Lata Mangeshkar had similar background, like born in a family of veteran classical musicians, all brothers and sisters in the family well versed in some form of classical music – be it vocal or instrumental, grew up in music at all times and in all forms, breathing music, talking music, eating music, sleeping music, why so much! It was music, music all the way all the time. This alone was not the similarity. They both entered cine field at a very young age and steadily gained popularity. Both of them had an element of luck to go by. Because, in cine field, mere talent was not enough to withstand the tides of stiff competitions. While the senior artist withstood the test of time, Sukumari was yet to prove hers, as she still had a long road of time.

The reporter was not at all interested in these long -long compare and contrast versions. All he wanted to know was how she wanted to be a different one from Lata Mangeshkar. He bluntly asked her to elaborate that point. She smiled at him. She then referred to his earlier question on her future plans and setting up a family of her own. It was in this matter that she differed. Lata Mangeshkar till end did not marry and preferred to remain a spinster, fearing that her marriage might become an obstacle in her musical career. By that single decision of hers of remaining single, she put an end to her legacy. Her musical charm and talents did not transcend, nor was carried forward to the next generation. Her father had channelled out his knowledge to Lata and her siblings. But Lata dared not, to pass on her assets. She had abruptly ended her musical lineage with herself.

Sukumari, on the contrary, would marry someone musically inclined, deeply involved in music and also equally talented. Unlike Lata Mangeshkar, Sukumari would prefer the flow of music to go down to further generations, by retaining the legacy and lineage. This practice of hereditarily carrying over, was very common in classical musicians. Even today, the artists of fourth or even the fifth generation, are all there in the field retaining the name and fame of their legendary forefathers. To cite a few examples, say Maharajapuram Viswanathan, Santhanam, and D.K. Pattammal. The younger generation artists are equally talented and famous and are heralding their ancestors’ legacy.

Sukumari said that it was in this context only, she differed from the senior artist. The reporter having got, what he wanted, wished her good luck and bade good bye.

Sukumari did not anticipate that write up that got published in the popular magazine would create so much ripples. Many suitors sent their biodata and offered proposals to marry her. Since she was in the limelight, she had to be cautious. Many who proposed to her were yet to make a mark in the field. They took it as an opportunity to bask in her fame and thereby climb the ladder of success.

Her secretary had already warned her not to flare up any controversy and now, this was the consequence. She dumped all those suitors’ proposals with her parents and asked them to sieve and scan, to know if anyone was worthy of her hand. She made it very clear that the suitor’s musical talent and background were prime factors, not even his cast or creed. They kept aside all these cases. They had already chosen Vijay Ganesh and pinned their eyes on him as a probable candidate. He was a highly talented musician but unfortunately remained only an up-coming artiste, not as popular as their daughter was. Hence, they remained silent. But now with the new rigour, they advised her to settle for Vijay Ganesh. He was worthy talentwise.

Soon matters took a quick turn. Wedding bells rang in her courtyard. Vijay Ganesh was a very good choice and he became one of their family members. He too hailed from a family of musicians. The rhythm of musical flow continued for both Sukumari and Vijay Ganesh. Though Sukumari was not in a hurry, her parents were waiting for the next good news from her. But the couple were very busy in their musical concerts and daily schedules and rehearsals.

Years rolled by without any symptoms of ‘future generation’ coming up. The reporter, -- the same old guy, came to her for yet another interview. She disposed him off with a flat no, but agreed to see him next year, if things would be in her favour.

She along with her husband went to a gynaecologist. She explained her predicament and wanted a solution. The lady doctor laughed aloud. A thing that had to happen as naturally as a well-tuned music, Sukumari was demanding as though it was toy, produced in a factory. The doctor explained to her in the musical world, it would be easy for a musician to create a symphony with due coordination of various artists. But a similar thing could not be expected in pregnancy. Given that, the medical science had gone far ahead and many new strides are being tried. But still success rate was low. Various methods and various instruments were in place, right from invitro fertilization, increasing the semen count, infertility corrections, IVF and even an ultimate arrangement for getting surrogate mothers. Of late, the fertility centres were doing good business and boasting of high success rates. She said,

”On the contrary, the success rate is very low. Many times, the procedures had to be repeated. Both patients and the doctor need to be really ‘patient’. More of ‘Wait and Watch’. Are you both prepared?”

Sukumari was bent upon having her baby with her musical traits flowing into it. So, she simply agreed. Vijay too was quite inclined to see his ‘successor’. The treatment went on for days, then weeks and then for months… But no positive result. They both did not give up. They reminded themselves that there were couples who were trying for 10 long years to see their own baby in their hands. Hope and faith alone were major factors, contributing to success.

Finally, for them also, there was a ray of hope. The red-letter day dawned on them. They both were in ecstasy. The doctor warned them to be very careful and advised them to be very cheerful. As months rolled on, they witnessed that the baby too was growing. It was evident that due to so many artificial procedures to induce pregnancy and to ensure the baby’s growth in mother’s womb, the delivery could not be a normal one. Anyway, it was to be a caesarean one. So, Sukumari wanted her baby to be born on Saint Thyagaraja’s 173^rd Araadhana day, falling on 15^th January coming up in a week’s time. Saint Thyagaraja was and is a doyen of all musicians. He is worshipped as God in human form. Every year on his Aradhana day all musicians assemble at his birthplace at Thiruvaiyaaru and sing his compositions, a unique feature going on for centuries.

Sukumari rightly claimed her baby’s first cry would, no doubt be a most enchanting ‘Pancharatna Kruti’, a form of tribute of musical offering. Doctor on the appointed day, offered Sukumari her cherished dream, a bundle of joy in human form, a beautiful son. They rightly named him ‘Thayagarajan’. Both Vijay and Sukumari were on cloud nine with their son Thyagarajan in their arms. They thanked the doctor saying,

“Though nature failed, our will power and your medical power showed us this day. Our musical legacy is now set on motion. Thank you, doctor.”

Doctor corrected them, “Without divine destiny leading us in our journey, nothing is possible. It is all His Grace and Mercy.”

A few more months flew off without anybody’s notice. The baby boy Thyagarajan, was smiling, his eyes shining, little fists turning and limbs lifted and cycling in the air. Sukumari noticed that there was something amiss. There were innumerable toys, some rattling, some whirring, some running on motor, some colourful and what not, and what not.  The little boy was not at all bothered about the colour or the sound of any of the toy. Nothing seemed to draw his attention.

Both parents Vijay and Sukumari rushed to the doctor. Why their dear son was not responding to any sound? Clapping, whistling, singing, no effect on the child. He was in his own world. The doctor conducted a few tests on him and turned to the parents to pronounce the verdict. No. it was a clear bombshell dropped on them. They both were doomed and badly smashed by the most cruelty of nature. The boy was not only mute, but also deaf. ‘A Deaf and Dumb’ child for parents who were nursing a dream of flow of musical legacy.

Doctor simply said, “It is all His Grace and Mercy. Be brave. Miracles do happen by His Grace and Mercy. The deaf and dumb baby of today may start talking and listening ‘tomorrow’. Hope and faith alone can help in coping up with life.”

The boy’s cry was no more any music to them, neither ‘Mukari Ragam’ nor ‘Pancharatna Kriti.’The private secretary of M.S. Sukumari, a well-known playback singer reminded her that a reporter of a popular magazine, would be coming soon for taking an interview. As a matter of friendly advice, he cautioned her not to entertain any controversial topic. Sukumari was well aware that only controversial news fetched more popularity and popularity alone kept the performing artists in the field and in media glare. Some busy reporters send their queries before hand and at the time interview get the response from the artists without wasting their precious time. Sukumari asked the secretary for the questionnaire. There was none.

Sukumari gave extempore replies to the queries of the reporter. There was no technical question for which she to stumble or hesitate. All were personal only, mainly hovering around her musical background, her struggles, her achievements, her enemies, her mentors and role models, support from her family, her future plans, blah blah. The reporter took photos of her medals, her childhood photos, mementos she received from prominent people and of course, her present interview to be posted in You-tube also.

Sukumari thought she escaped the inevitable query, which was making rounds in gossip columns. No. She did not. The cat was out. The reporter before winding up the interview, told her that his job would not be complete without getting fresh comments from her, on the immortal legendary playback singer, Lata Mangeshkar. With due respects to the legendary artist, she said that she took her, as her role model in all respects, but differed gently in only one aspect.

She smilingly acknowledged her previous comments and stood by them and explained how she differed. She started from the beginning…  both Sukumari and Lata Mangeshkar had similar background, like born in a family of veteran classical musicians, all brothers and sisters in the family well versed in some form of classical music – be it vocal or instrumental, grew up in music at all times and in all forms, breathing music, talking music, eating music, sleeping music, why so much! It was music, music all the way all the time. This alone was not the similarity. They both entered cine field at a very young age and steadily gained popularity. Both of them had an element of luck to go by. Because, in cine field, mere talent was not enough to withstand the tides of stiff competitions. While the senior artist withstood the test of time, Sukumari was yet to prove hers, as she still had a long road of time.

The reporter was not at all interested in these long -long compare and contrast versions. All he wanted to know was how she wanted to be a different one from Lata Mangeshkar. He bluntly asked her to elaborate that point. She smiled at him. She then referred to his earlier question on her future plans and setting up a family of her own. It was in this matter that she differed. Lata Mangeshkar till end did not marry and preferred to remain a spinster, fearing that her marriage might become an obstacle in her musical career. By that single decision of hers of remaining single, she put an end to her legacy. Her musical charm and talents did not transcend, nor was carried forward to the next generation. Her father had channelled out his knowledge to Lata and her siblings. But Lata dared not, to pass on her assets. She had abruptly ended her musical lineage with herself.

Sukumari, on the contrary, would marry someone musically inclined, deeply involved in music and also equally talented. Unlike Lata Mangeshkar, Sukumari would prefer the flow of music to go down to further generations, by retaining the legacy and lineage. This practice of hereditarily carrying over, was very common in classical musicians. Even today, the artists of fourth or even the fifth generation, are all there in the field retaining the name and fame of their legendary forefathers. To cite a few examples, say Maharajapuram Viswanathan, Santhanam, and D.K. Pattammal. The younger generation artists are equally talented and famous and are heralding their ancestors’ legacy.

Sukumari said that it was in this context only, she differed from the senior artist. The reporter having got, what he wanted, wished her good luck and bade good bye.

Sukumari did not anticipate that write up that got published in the popular magazine would create so much ripples. Many suitors sent their biodata and offered proposals to marry her. Since she was in the limelight, she had to be cautious. Many who proposed to her were yet to make a mark in the field. They took it as an opportunity to bask in her fame and thereby climb the ladder of success.

Her secretary had already warned her not to flare up any controversy and now, this was the consequence. She dumped all those suitors’ proposals with her parents and asked them to sieve and scan, to know if anyone was worthy of her hand. She made it very clear that the suitor’s musical talent and background were prime factors, not even his cast or creed. They kept aside all these cases. They had already chosen Vijay Ganesh and pinned their eyes on him as a probable candidate. He was a highly talented musician but unfortunately remained only an up-coming artiste, not as popular as their daughter was. Hence, they remained silent. But now with the new rigour, they advised her to settle for Vijay Ganesh. He was worthy talentwise.

Soon matters took a quick turn. Wedding bells rang in her courtyard. Vijay Ganesh was a very good choice and he became one of their family members. He too hailed from a family of musicians. The rhythm of musical flow continued for both Sukumari and Vijay Ganesh. Though Sukumari was not in a hurry, her parents were waiting for the next good news from her. But the couple were very busy in their musical concerts and daily schedules and rehearsals.

Years rolled by without any symptoms of ‘future generation’ coming up. The reporter, -- the same old guy, came to her for yet another interview. She disposed him off with a flat no, but agreed to see him next year, if things would be in her favour.

She along with her husband went to a gynaecologist. She explained her predicament and wanted a solution. The lady doctor laughed aloud. A thing that had to happen as naturally as a well-tuned music, Sukumari was demanding as though it was toy, produced in a factory. The doctor explained to her in the musical world, it would be easy for a musician to create a symphony with due coordination of various artists. But a similar thing could not be expected in pregnancy. Given that, the medical science had gone far ahead and many new strides are being tried. But still success rate was low. Various methods and various instruments were in place, right from invitro fertilization, increasing the semen count, infertility corrections, IVF and even an ultimate arrangement for getting surrogate mothers. Of late, the fertility centres were doing good business and boasting of high success rates. She said,

”On the contrary, the success rate is very low. Many times, the procedures had to be repeated. Both patients and the doctor need to be really ‘patient’. More of ‘Wait and Watch’. Are you both prepared?”

Sukumari was bent upon having her baby with her musical traits flowing into it. So, she simply agreed. Vijay too was quite inclined to see his ‘successor’. The treatment went on for days, then weeks and then for months… But no positive result. They both did not give up. They reminded themselves that there were couples who were trying for 10 long years to see their own baby in their hands. Hope and faith alone were major factors, contributing to success.

Finally, for them also, there was a ray of hope. The red-letter day dawned on them. They both were in ecstasy. The doctor warned them to be very careful and advised them to be very cheerful. As months rolled on, they witnessed that the baby too was growing. It was evident that due to so many artificial procedures to induce pregnancy and to ensure the baby’s growth in mother’s womb, the delivery could not be a normal one. Anyway, it was to be a caesarean one. So, Sukumari wanted her baby to be born on Saint Thyagaraja’s 173^rd Araadhana day, falling on 15^th January coming up in a week’s time. Saint Thyagaraja was and is a doyen of all musicians. He is worshipped as God in human form. Every year on his Aradhana day all musicians assemble at his birthplace at Thiruvaiyaaru and sing his compositions, a unique feature going on for centuries.

Sukumari rightly claimed her baby’s first cry would, no doubt be a most enchanting ‘Pancharatna Kruti’, a form of tribute of musical offering. Doctor on the appointed day, offered Sukumari her cherished dream, a bundle of joy in human form, a beautiful son. They rightly named him ‘Thayagarajan’. Both Vijay and Sukumari were on cloud nine with their son Thyagarajan in their arms. They thanked the doctor saying,

“Though nature failed, our will power and your medical power showed us this day. Our musical legacy is now set on motion. Thank you, doctor.”

Doctor corrected them, “Without divine destiny leading us in our journey, nothing is possible. It is all His Grace and Mercy.”

A few more months flew off without anybody’s notice. The baby boy Thyagarajan, was smiling, his eyes shining, little fists turning and limbs lifted and cycling in the air. Sukumari noticed that there was something amiss. There were innumerable toys, some rattling, some whirring, some running on motor, some colourful and what not, and what not.  The little boy was not at all bothered about the colour or the sound of any of the toy. Nothing seemed to draw his attention.

Both parents Vijay and Sukumari rushed to the doctor. Why their dear son was not responding to any sound? Clapping, whistling, singing, no effect on the child. He was in his own world. The doctor conducted a few tests on him and turned to the parents to pronounce the verdict. No. it was a clear bombshell dropped on them. They both were doomed and badly smashed by the most cruelty of nature. The boy was not only mute, but also deaf. ‘A Deaf and Dumb’ child for parents who were nursing a dream of flow of musical legacy.

Doctor simply said, “It is all His Grace and Mercy. Be brave. Miracles do happen by His Grace and Mercy. The deaf and dumb baby of today may start talking and listening ‘tomorrow’. Hope and faith alone can help in coping up with life.”

The boy’s cry was no more any music to them, neither ‘Mukari Ragam’ nor ‘Pancharatna Kriti.’