Notes to Myself l Episode 2 l Season 2 l S Sowmya l MOPA

[@srv232]

The Sowmya I remember from my middle school days at Shrine Velankanni Senior Secondary School in T. Nagar in the early 80's (around 81-83) is still etched in my mind. I was her school senior, and at that time, I was in a lot of music competitions, winning prizes. She was much younger to me and still made an impression with her singing. She stuck to her music while I moved on from music to other career choices. Life puts us on different paths. Nice to see how she has grown into a Vidhwan and is holding her own.

[@mudhrabhaskar9440]

One of the best interviews which holds the interest of the viewer throughout ! Usually, artists of her stature have tailor made answers with a focus on impressing others! Dr Sowmya charters a unique path for herself by saying everything straight from her heart and that strikes a perfect chord! 🙏- Dr Radha Bhaskar

[@k.vminambakkam9781]

beautiful,I was sowmiyas schoolmate at udyogamandal school.She continues to be the charming,talented,lovely person.god bless her

[@venividivixen]

I love how earnestly akka shared her conflict between IIT/PhD/going abroad and music, particularly the bit where she admitted to being deeply depressed about it and experiencing a case of sour grapes. I admire her commitment to education despite having already figured that she'd not be pursuing Chemistry for a career. It had to have been a difficult choice. It also made me grateful that I do not have multiple talents (or any really 😂) . I'm glad her manodharma became clear to her over time. I'd have missed her presence in the Carnatic world. ❤

[@mukundar2454]

Dr Soumya - my first maanaseega guru! It was only after listening her cassette Devi Krithis, I developed interest for Carnatic music. The first song I listened from that cassette Anandamrutha karshini in Amrutavarshini raga is my favorite to date. Thanks to this lady for influencing me when social media was not even a concept. I’m peaceful with this divine music.

[@vidyasarma5509]

Superb. I am 80 yrs . SmtSowmya has wonderfully analyzed the views about the present day musicians . More specifically about the body language while they sing I could not control my laugh. Rather it is unstoppable when she tells referring her.own son.

[@nss6610]

Frank and candid, so refreshing. She just expressed what she feels and thinks. So down to earth too.

[@lavyrangan]

When I am listening to Dr. Sowmya, I so wish I would have met Dr. Ramanathan, what a person, how can we not be awe of such a person. Such a blessing to be associated to him.

[@supraja]

These episodes in themselves are a great work of art. Please never stop making them.

[@kaminidandapani9047]

I love her frankness, bluntness and clear thinking. Carnatic music is blessed to have a performer, teacher and spokesperson like her. Great talk.

[@maheshseth751]

it was like she thinks and speaks like her music! i enjoyed this too.

[@usharavi8225]

Watching Sowmya from her school days. Listened 🎶 to her Kutchery when she was a child in Krishna gana Sabha. Now a Sangeeta Kalanidhi. I love her demos in Music academy. Who will forget her Nandanar Charitram? God 🙌 bless her. A fine talk by her.

[@poornimadinakaran4871]

Paaaa.... "Nethiyila aani adhichamaadhiri...." one interview. Had mixed emotions throughout. Timing comedy with differential accent be it Tamil or in Sanskrit. The tough decision made between academics and music was so touching. I wondered from where such candid and straight answers could come so fearlessly.... Probably from fighting tough battles from within and outside. For me it was an inspiring experience... Thanks is all I can say 🙏

[@shailikhanna1044]

Learnt so much about the music scene in smaller places in South! Shocked at gender discrimination. Sowmya ji is so articulate, intelligent and perceptive, also so truthful and open, it was a wonderfully engrossing and informative interview..thank you

[@LOCHLIFE]

Such a candid, from the heart talk. Great to see humility, a passion for education ,music, and life rolled in one. So inspiring! Rock on, Sowmya...

[@sathyavenkatesan704]

Fantastic sowmya ma'am.casual , natural narration . உங்களுடன் சேர்ந்து நாங்களும் வளர்ந்த மாதிரியான உணர்வு .

[@chennaismilzo]

Priceless view of a landmark phase in. Carnatic music. So nice to see such a progression to the higher peaks with such grace and lack of negativity.kudos

[@vimaladevi7556]

Very very apt interview for all art lovers and practitioners. It's an eye-opener for everyone. She is only from her heart, and that's the ultimate truth. Speaking out loud and clear the inner voice of every under-rated true artist.

[@1978ramaa]

What a beautiful episode! It's so wonderful to hear about how the great vidwans used to value their art and teach with such integrity. So happy to spend more than an hour listening to her.

[@savithrirao58]

Namaskaram.Very happy to hear Smt.Sowmya's musical journey. One of the greatest musicians, totally dedicated to her sangeetham and her Greatest Guru Late Sri.S.Ramanathan Sir.

[@gomathikrishnamoorthy8484]

Very nice and best interview with good Advice.Thank you Sowmya madam🌹👍🙌🙏😊

[@sri086059]

So candid, so beautiful just like your music. I am glad you have not sold out and are sticking to the classicism and tradition. God bless

[@LakshmananValliappa]

A wonderful, wide-ranging interview. The first segments are about the impact her father had on her early childhood, and then of her guru. She gave up a research career when her PhD advisor told her she would no longer be able to ride two horses. The dream of any parent or teacher is to be remembered for their love, opportunities and counsel in this manner. Then, a bitter reminisce about facing gender discrimination and ageism. Just when you are firmly on her side, she throws it all away towards the end: the snobbery when talking about contestants on Super Singer and the gate-keeping about novelty, fusion, and learning from many sources. Still the first half is well worth a listen.

[@draghuna]

From start to finish, couldn't stop listening. The interview was so candid, so full of self awareness, lots and lots of reflection, rich observations about great musical personalities and above all, remarkable humility. Personally, I could relate to some of the things Sowmya spoke about quite directly. I have attended Dr Ramanathan sir's group classes in the mornings for instance. I have been at some of the music festivals in TN, the Sadashiva Brahmendral festival for example. Such a real treat, Sowmya, thank you so much for doing this!

[@kasturiswami784]

Soumya is so articulate. She is super intelligent and a wonderful musician. I have not listened to her kacheri recently.

[@KanchanaManyam]

Withdrawal symptoms so well shared - so relevant for passionate people across all professions

[@lalitharsk]

Excellent. Interview. No words. Not only your cutcheries,also your talk about various things in different way Something marvelous. Great one.

[@savithrirao58]

Wonderful conversation, enjoyed listening to Smt.Sowmya. She was very frank and very practical. Thank you MOPA

[@RajeeSanjay]

So beautifully put together by Sowmya ji... Loved it.

[@harikrishna_sridhar]

You are doing an amazing job.... All the artists you have covered so far are so beautifully made. While listening to them we feel we are like a part of their life witnessing along with them. Leaving them free to express and gives us the inner core of these musicians. Lovely concept...much love for all of these. If possible please interview Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan sir. He is a person who is so deep and broad. Very knowledgeable with added sweet humour. He is an Excellent Guru also. Requesting you to get out the beauty of his life and learnings too. Thank you Mopa team for your lovely efforts.

[@drkrsna]

Superb, challenging the male chavunism from male accompanists, including some female accompanists . About time this changed. Also female violinists not given opportunity to accompany certain male vocalists.Dr.Sowmya👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@munchandmull]

Namaskaram. 🙏🙏Enjoyed every bit, listening to this wonderful and candid expression. Got a glimpse of what , one has to undergo to reach the pinnacle in their chosen field Very true, Life is short. It's to be enjoyed. 🙏🙏. Regards

[@venividivixen]

MOPA, you're doing a fine job. Each episode is better than the one before. Excellent camerawork and lighting capturing the artists' expressions, as if we're sitting in their presence and experiencing their joy and pain first hand. I felt compelled to comment after the heartbreaking 56:50 bit about chauvinism. P.S: The cello bgm is oddly fitting for akka. Good choice.

[@poornima2893]

Huge respects to Sowmya ma'am ❤🙏 A straight from the heart talk. Thank you MOPA and Sowmya ma'am for this phenomenal interview 🙏

[@geethajayagopalbhajans8153]

Very nice, beautiful &open hearted talk that'll be very useful to people those lovers &learners of music

[@sachinprem82]

Very nice.. Lot if life lessons taught without preaching. Very clear on what she is talking and so genuine

[@profsanandhanfrsc1116]

Sowmya is a very talented singer and an intelligent person! My respect for her has increased after watching this program.

[@diyac9554]

Wonderful episode. The whole meditation on her professional decision and the mental anguish over giving up was something one could truly empathize with. What an open person to generously share her perspective and challenges. Beautiful and inspiring. 💐🙏🏼

[@diyac9554]

I also would love a Sowmya music book club! She sounds like she would have the most amazing curation of music history selections!!

[@chandras5135]

Fantastic yet underrated musician, so nice to hear from her so many precious thoughts n moments

[@GurunathHari]

Sowmyaji your Seethamma Maayyamma and satru vilagi.. blessed to hear your renditions.

[@balanda6654]

ஆஹா அற்புதம்..".மைக்குக்கு தாலி", "பவ்ய சிரோன்மணீ" யம்மாடி இம்புட்டு நடிப்பு தெரியுமா.... தாயீ சிரிப்பு சிரிப்பா வந்து....அம்புட்டு சிரிச்சுப்டேன்... நன்றி

[@subharaghavan1364]

Sowmya mam my senior in Meenakshi College. Again when my sister was in IIT,I have seen you singing in Madigras. Wish you a happy and wonderful life.

[@hemaraghunathan2763]

Very good interview from start to finish, very honest and true, speaking her mind. Very impressive

[@lalitharajamani8416]

Fine. Nice speech. Youngsters should Listen her speech and should learn from her and her nice talk. 🙏🙏❤

[@tmadhusudan895]

A sparkling intellect tastefully captured with dignity and decorum .

[@boskeyvidhya]

Watched it at one go. I've always admired you. Thoroughly enjoyed every bit.

[@chikkannaputtanna1966]

Very nice open speaking. If only our young practioners if music could draw a lesson from this talk, it will definitely take them to higher position in music.

[@lathajanardhan9459]

Such a candid interview.No airs at all,such humility.God Bless You ,Sowmyaji.

[@ramanparthasarathy3306]

Sowmya Madam, what an interview! You have covered so many things in the course of this interview it blows my mind - your upbringing, the influence of your parents and your Guru, the conflicts and self-doubts you went through and coming through to the other side, the choices you made, male chauvunism, posture, the theatrics that accompanies singers today...just phenomenal. I especially loved your take on theatrics - my mom says "Konashta illama paadanum appadinnu". So many things to learn from this interview. I can really go on and on. Feel blessed to hear your interview. I hope I can meet you in person one day. 🙏🙏🙏

[@revathishankar946]

Lovely and very responsible parents you have mam to give training and having brought up in this heights

[@divi3140]

First time i seen a complete interview which more than half an hour. Such a nice conversation.

[@janakigopalan1992]

Very hurt by how senior musicians will not play for women artists mam. Hats off to you. Learnt so much about sowmya mam from this episode. Huge respect 🙏

[@kasn811]

Wonderful job by Savita ji. Dr sowmya's words were all in one package.. and had the thani aavardanam effect all throughout.. beautiful interview

[@navneethsundaresan6970]

Do interview Vidwan RK Shriramkumar Anna. A very big music genius par excellence.

[@priyadivakaran3284]

Beautiful sharing by Mdm Sowmya 🥰🥰🥰..so insightful not just musically but how we should also look at life...

[@lakshmisimhan5111]

Wonderful interview…🙏, very thoughtful, varied questions, followed by very frank, open minded answers with beautiful body language by madam Soumya🙏🙏🙏

[@dr.subbakrishnadk7278]

Wonderful interview, May God be always with you.

[@kasn811]

Yes the gap filling music is very nostalgic..since vibrant personalities are being interviewed, the music can be little more vibrant..

[@ramya49]

Very nice.. u don’t even think to skip … each and every minute was so captivating… madam your vocabulary is so interesting

[@Bagava2010]

Lovely conversation 👌 👌 Proud to be your fan ❤️Keep enthralling us forever 🌹 🌹

[@mangaisrivaramangai9701]

From the begining i will support to Sowmya madam HerGurujiMr.Ramanathan sir's program also always happily like a Sangeetha ppiththu

[@kalpanasriram8409]

Very nice interview.she talks as if talking to a friend. Thanks Sowmya Akka

[@veenarasika1778]

Absolutely superb interview!

[@kirthikasidhar2019]

Such a beautiful conversation really loved the way it went on.. it just took me to a different world ... Loved the quote Life is too short enjoy and make others happy

[@keshavvenkataraghavan5551]

Absolutely wonderful. A lovely exploration into the various facets of Dr Sowmya. 🙏 nicely put together.

[@kousalyanatarajan3525]

Such a great artist she is.. May God bless her

[@SaffronTrailKitchen]

Mic ku thaali kattaradhu - laughed so hard at this :D :D Enjoyed this entire talk by Dr S Sowmya

[@symphonyred]

Thank you Sowmya! Loved your sharing

[@vikiraman8398]

You are so gentle in music mam.wow with that base voice truly legend.

[@rooparaghav]

Really loved every bit for it

[@andal117]

Super cute pics and pics of ur childhood mam.

[@KanchanaManyam]

I see humour also even in the strong points that you make!!

[@mahanarasimhan1867]

Very good interview. Very useful

[@lathajanardhan9459]

So many nuances to music!!!!! Music has no end ,it's infinity level is truly magnanimous.

[@sreeharimeledam1152]

Beautiful interview❣️

[@prasadpushkar3191]

I grew up listening to Dr Sowmya madam, such a simple yet elegant person! She is a walking encyclopaedia! Hats off to MOPA for bringing this! What a wonderful setting at the start of the video...Royal British White Mansion house and Sowmya Akka standing in the lobby with that bright red attire! Brilliant videography too

[@ravishanker6925]

Excellent! Thanks

[@rikky0078]

clarity at its' best. superb sowmya

[@AuroshriArunPrasad]

Watched completely how nice it is...mam great

[@rooparavi5454]

Just As the show is called, i too make notes to myself - bettering as a human being. Wonderful episodes. It would definitely be more beneficial for non -Tamil speakers if there were subtitles in english to follow along .

[@mopa9946]

There are subtitles. You need to click on the cc icon to get the same.

[@tyagarajakinkara]

what sha said about Balamurali sir and Janakima is perfectly true! your voice should be expressive but not your body. at the end of the day even the gesticulation filled music of semmnagudi moved you because of his musical ideas, more than his body contortions. and the Brinda school is noted for lack of tantrums and even showing the talam with your hands. such a pure music finds no takers today as this is a globalized era.

[@ranganayakikrishnan9716]

Candid, down to earth. I really learnt a lot. Thankyou .

[@ansuyarandhir5457]

I am also a disciple of Dr .S Ramanathan before Sowmya joined. Mani Krishna swamy learned NavavaraNa keerthanaigal. Unnikrishnan also learnt from him.

[@dgomathi]

Intellectual take on sangeetam and excellent vocabulary

[@parvathimurali9660]

My mother used to attend both afternoon and ticketed kutcheris and also make tiffins for school going children( four of us)

[@gbraja1953]

Mirror practice was started by my father. He was close to Dr Ramanathan who was a regular visitor to our house like Ramnad Raghavan etc.

[@vidyaswamy7380]

Excellent! So honest about everything. I learned a lot listening to this talk. You have covered many aspects of life actually, not just Carnatic music.

[@sriram957]

I laughed out loud when she talked about super singer contestants performance HAHAHA

[@krithikagokulnath4160]

Akka .. so nice to hear your experiences.. always your fan 🙏🏼

[@SwarupN8]

I enjoyed Sowmya’s musical journey. Well expressed and beautiful. All the very best for the coming years.

[@mallikkasubbu8069]

Lovely documentary, Sowmya is so down to earth and immensely talented. Thank you, but horrible background music..so depressing..I am sure you could have come up with some carnatic instrumental background svore

[@gosakant]

I agree totally. Public, esp the rasikas has responsibility to support. Yes for marriages the music loving parents shd prefer Carnatic instead of light music.

[@shanmugams6841]

Very simple and super speech

[@rameshradhakrisshnan5686]

Eminent natural Singer Sowmya ji

[@geetha666]

Very interesting and engaging interview. Ive always appreciate sowmyaji's knowledge. But pls pls change the music🎶

[@savithrirao58]

A very small remark, why this sad tune in between her topics? You could play a little Tanam. Please don't mistake my remark but it is really not at good to hear when a classical musicians are sharing their very interesting travel to learn the art of classical sangeetham.

[@nirmalarsharma]

Yes. I too felt like this. A humming note from Sowmya would have been Better.

[@kamakshiravichandran8297]

Such clarity.

[@janarthananalagarsamy5549]

Her humour is underrated!! 😂😂

[@vasukinagabhushan]

Great that Soumya boldly faces gender bias among senior artists. 👍🏼🙏🏽

[@shankarrajan8474]

wah, so enlightening!

[@madhvamuniraosandhyavandan7662]

S.K.Sowmya has expressed her belief on 'Bani'. She has said that bani is established by voice modulation besides other thongs. Bani is not Style. Style can be grounded in Bani. Style is unique manner of expressions with clear intent for unique identity, recognition, appreciation, following and support. Bani is a method, system of teaching and performing; ornamentations on the original compositional merits of the Vaggeyakara; aspects of manodharma created, accepted, receiving patronage and following. Established recognition as one school, a region and a great maestro. Style serves the purpose of fan following rewards and awards for the practitioner. Bani serves noble cause of art form development. Rewards and awards not guaranteed. Bani in combination with style fetches rewards and awards.