Sing my song - Sanjay Subrahmanyan with Nirmala Lakshman

The Hindu Lit for Life 2016, South India's biggest literature festival was held on Jan 15, 16 & 17 at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Chetpet, Chennai, India.
Friday, January 15: Sing my Song: Duality of performance and creativity, of tradition and individuality - Sanjay Subrahmanyan in conversation with Nirmala Lakshman
Sanjay Subrahmanyan, who is one of the youngest Carnatic musicians to receive the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi award, engaged in a lively conversation with Dr. Nirmala Lakshman on Performance and Creativity.

[@chandramoulidharmarajan3674]

SanjaIy apparently is a great conversationalist. Recently, I heard him singing Thunbam Nergaiyiil in Raga Desh. It was the first time that I heard this song expanded with swaras. Nice singing.

[@metlin]

Sanjay's responses are great. The interviewer was so clinical and pretty... uninspiring.

[@sreekanthbhaskaran4451]

same, I got to know him through his Thumbam Nergayil.

[@taanyakamakshis1337]

Oh...I just love his Thunbam Nergaiyil...It was so mesmerising and beautiful...❤❤❤Happy to hear you talking about it...

[@karthiksrinivasan4923]

A very candid interview. Love the way he is honest about his opinions and not just talk about culture and tradition, like all musicians just bank on, in just interviews.

[@eytonshalom]

he has such a great sense of humor, including self deprecatory humor...humble. better than most stand up comics, actually!

[@ashaketharam]

Brilliant talk..loved his spontaneity and frankness! Best wishes to you, Sanjay! ❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@rajanikantvsp]

The 'Waltair' railway station he's referring to is the present day 'Visakhapatnam'!

[@ramsundaram4615]

Most amazing interview. He is the great grand master indeed. Just loved it. Kudos, salutes. 20 years ago, I heard his Kambodhi alapana and fell in love with his singing which never diminished.

[@wizardofrosss]

Powerful character. Sharp wit. Immense intellect. Amazing music.

[@mridulakumar4364]

You said it 👍

[@krishnamurthynarasipur2556]

Extremely scintillating and delightful conversation. As one who has been listening to music for over Six decades I may venture to say Sanjay stands out as an innovating yet traditional artist.

[@dr.t.chandrasekar8249]

Dear Sanjay , permit me to call u a chef . I have been listening to kucheries at Venus colony. All free. Somehow I started listening off n on in midst of my dental school. I seriously renewed my interest in listening to all sorts of music including Chinese and Japanese. Though it’s a mix of everything Carnatic stood apart. Honestly I don’t know Music. But I love it. Call it one sided love.I love but I am unable to touch it. And in this lock down time I happen to listen to ur rendition of Subha Panthuvarali. I liked it.I think I have listened to most of ur Tamil songs.I developed more interest only after that. This casual conversation of yours is another piece of art. I pray u may live long and be an eye opener for half baked lovers like me. CHEF..... I forget ...the dishes u serve though traditional , a pinch of your own spices give a spl. flavour. At times the pinch becomes more when the dish tastes bad. May be my taste buds go wrong too... cheers. By the way I am a 72 year old dentist. Namaskaram.

[@Suraxa1970]

Simply sublime! Sanjay Subramanyan a true artiste 🙏🏻

[@VishalVNavekar]

awesome! he laughs often and makes us laugh too, wonderful conversation...

[@mohanparthasarathy7862]

I have loved your concerts. These interviews show the person in you. We are lucky to have you in Carnatic music for your open mindedness and you are so agreeable !

[@parvathitiruviluamala9870]

Sanjay. God bless you and your children who keep you at home and make you sing. I just loved it !

[@seetahariharan4089]

It was delightful.. Sanjay's views n demos n the eng conversation ! Actually I don't know who Nirmala is but her Voice is such a delight to hear..hope she sings too with this kind of sweet voice paired with proficiency in the Queen's language ..Sanjay's views and a line or two in btwn!! Normally im not an interview watcher but I watched this video till end.. !

[@balakrishnanh1123]

Very good interview by nirmala and sanjay s. First time j am seeing with pant and shirt, watching throughout dhitit and kurfs. Great thanks

[@kalyaniramanathan7229]

Ordinary questions, but extraordinary answers from mr.Sanjay Subramanyam.

[@gayathriprasannakumar1594]

Lovely interview. Hatsoff to great Sanjay sir .so diplomatic and straightforward. This really influence yougsters to come up in their achievements

[@cienu33]

Such a brilliant interview.. Everytime we listen to Sanjay there is so much we learn.

[@venugopalv8994]

The erudition and knowledge that Sanjay has exhibited now are commendable.

[@mgchandrakanth]

Fantastic Vid Sanjay, high scores for your honesty, for your truthful expression, when you said you read every bit of what is written on you, including social media. It is not a flattery, you are the pole star in Karnataka music. God bless you.

[@humanmind7631]

Enjoyed this insightful conversation. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@KrishnamurthiBalaji]

Excellent interview. Very inspirational conversation. Thanks for this to The Hindu - K Balaji, Bangalore

[@kannans6150]

True

[@manigandanradhakrishnan8548]

What a confidence level Sanjay sir, you are Sangeetha Imayam

[@sreekumarpai6665]

Beautiful interview,and equally brilliant answers.

[@nagarajuvamaraju9146]

What a subtle way of explaing the nicities of language and singing. A master in theory ;great Mr.Sanjay; thanks a lot.

[@vayalalebalasubramanian4074]

Great Sanjay sir, Your conversation gave me an impression that This devine music culture has so much inner matters to highlight and express through speech(lecture) to teach or inspire audience. Earllier to listening to this vedeo I have noticed lectures refer through notes of their profession during a class or conversation but your freeance talk is rare and excellent.Thank you👌👌👌💎💎💎

[@nagarajanramiyer1695]

Great sigar

[@gayathriprasannakumar1594]

Such a wonderful statements which pay the way for the yougsters to face the situations and to get themselves to face the match. Really your talk is like a strong charger to charge our brain

[@prashanthvi]

Excellent! Sanjay sir rocks as always.

[@vvenkat6829]

Frank,explicit,Candid discussion on different aspects of music - Sanjay, a glorious musician

[@vijayalakshmi2733]

Suntvserialkalyanaveedutodayepisode Hi Suntvserialkalyanaveedutodayepisode

[@dnaidoo6615]

Congratulations Sanjay, on your prestigious award, your musical expertise is phenomenal,

[@nagarajuvamaraju9146]

I am your huge fan.What a command on music and language i.e., english. Your expression of various matters is like a pro.

[@anuradhaanand2400]

Wonderfully energitic multitalented witty honest passionate refreshing interview.every word spoken from heart !!!! Plz continue to interact...🤼🎶

[@mjmadhavan1801]

Simply wonderful! 👌

[@gnmumbai1002]

Very vocal... Very transparent.... Each word from the bottom of his heart..... Without any ego.... Having a great knowledge... Ini music... Being born and bought up in a family of music lovers.... Definitly... A blessed personality.... To be soo much vocal he dont have to think much...... That shows his words are direct from heart... 💐💐💐💐

[@TheBrightOne]

That was a blast 💣💥 More power to you, sir! #Lovedit

[@RanganathanSundararajan]

Super Sanjay I am thrilled to listen to this video.

[@sureshpolali4616]

Great conversation - High Quality - a lot of information -- Sanjay Subramnayan is ultimate.

[@karpagameenakshi2322]

God Bless UAnnaa

[@ramaramaramahari866]

Ram very interesting and down to earth interview yes I can also feel the adrenaline excitement flowing listening to you shri Sanjay subramanian sir🙏👌

[@lavachandkeshava2779]

Sanjay Subramanyan, You are a marvellous vocal musician. Music of higher standard. Absolutely fantastic. No flaw of any sort. Wish you good health.

[@v.g.harischandrannairharis5626]

Wow! What a gem of an interview!

[@karpagameenakshi2322]

👌👏👏👏

[@v.g.harischandrannairharis5626]

How versatile Sanjay is!

[@accalekshmanaiyerkrishnan2909]

Relieved to see that beard is out and now you are bow looking great, Sanjay. We love your music and rtps. It appears that mixing music and cricket at every opportunity is not a good thing. Now that you have achieved a good position and standing in the tough chennai music society, it will be good if you start trying out film music and appear at music competitions.

[@kirann4607]

What a flow of speech...as if he is still rendering...

[@sneharamanan4406]

Did not even mention about the transcendental and spiritual qualities of carnatic music. Just spoke about the 'music business'. Expected him to give insights into such aspects of carnatic music. Well...probably it's all not there in him. So we should appreciate him for his truthfulness.

[@rajamnarayanan3348]

sneha ramanan iiyy

[@rajamnarayanan3348]

sneha ramanan v

[@danielyesudasan786]

He responded according to the questions

[@littlepuppy101]

He'd have spoken, if asked.

[@greymanBB]

You realize that not everything can be answered in 50 mins, right? That too a specific question in your head? I guess one cannot expect too much thinking in a KZbin comment.

[@jayashankaran8230]

While the interviewer is keen to circumbulate in asking questions, Sanjay comes to the point quick and sharp.

[@balak..7444]

A very candid interview..if still people feel carnatic music is a restricted music they can listen to his interview and decide or otherwise it is that they cannot get it

[@vetrivelmurukan4337]

Question is like bla bla bla.. Sanjay gets the point.. and provides a powerful reply. But still I love his music more.. lovely music!!??

[@kaysree71]

I thought the interviewer did a fabulous job! Interviewing the top artist in the field, and in front of a learned audience is very hard. Her questions transitioned beautifully, never once did she flinch, knew how open-ended a question should be and most importantly, knew when not to talk.

[@umasrivatsa5065]

Interesting interview. Loved Sanjay's music for long time. Lot of discussion about art, artists, professions, but none about the main reason the compositions were created- neither by the interviewer nor the interviewee. I don't know why Sanjay thinks TamBram girls learnt music while growing up, some of us actually learnt it for the devotion, the bhakti bhava portrayed by the composer in the music and lyrics. I grew up singing to the Deity everyday in prayer room after lighting the evening lamp- my prayer for the evening. I don't know about Sanjay's spiritual inclinations, but Sri Dikshidar started with Śrināthādi and ended with Meenakshi Memudam in devotion to Deity, as it "Saint" Tyagaraja. Music is meditation; bhakti is one of the main emotions depicted by these great composers. Ego, art, and business are secondary.

[@uthrasatagopan5952]

For me, music is a medium of devotion because I firmly believe that was the emotion behind the compositions that have come from great saints. That said, I enjoy Sanjay's music irrespective of Sanjay's idea of music is.

[@ramanichandrasekharaiyer9914]

Try and hold your audience. very nice piece of the speech. Vazhga Sanjay........

[@Janaranjani2311]

Very nice interview indeed.... Sir's speech is so inspiring....

[@hymavathirallabandhi9889]

Wonderful conversation..

[@muthukumaranr7180]

Why would any body give this video a thumbs down ... I dont understand

[@sooryag1936]

Obviously you don't understand.. Because you are a typical moronic "Rasika"(I have clearly used this word very loosely) on KZbin with no opinion of your own whatsoever.

[@YogacharyaDrAnandaBhavanani]

idiots exist it seems who live life upside down

[@killadi29]

Dumeels are everywhere

[@jaya7256]

Brilliant!

[@ramalisnarayanan5272]

தலைவா... நான் உங்கள் ரசிகன். கிரேட்...!!

[@vinayakprem9104]

SANJAYJI ROCKING

[@nagarajuvamaraju9146]

Mr.Sanjay ;your address is so superb.

[@kamupatti]

So intellectual in many respects. Admire him.

[@srigoswa]

Flow like his singing, awesome

[@karpagameenakshi2322]

ப்ரவாகம்👥

[@VinothKumar-jr1vp]

❤️❤️❤️

[@h2ochemical]

Yes , we speak more in English than in Tamizh maybe because we are trained in speaking English than in tamizh

[@vasukinagabhushan]

Genius 🙏🏼

[@remie8537]

Yes, India did miss a great cricketer, but Carnatic Music gained a Diamond, and English language a speaker with flair. Thank you Sanjay sir, you do Carnatic Music proud.

[@sundarrajan846]

Splendid interview

[@meenachandhok6178]

Sanjay sing saraswathi manohari shankari sada nanda lahari.Noonehas sung this.

[@satyanarayana72]

Very well spoken sir

[@chinni032]

Lively

[@chetan5848]

44:00, Joe of Carnatic Music.

[@karthikiyengar6141]

Very interesting to listen just as a fun game music is not that it is an art you should need so much dedication singing you can do for ever no age limit sanjayis music always has a thrilling

[@susheelasambandam7940]

Sanjay Subramaniam s TAMIL song’s

[@teerthapaada]

Amazing explanation sir!

[@vijusreedhar332]

I think the disliked 71 are envious musicians

[@gayathriramakrishnan5101]

Genius .Loved the way he talks .Highly confident. Yet humble..

[@venky267]

Superlative Sanjay.

[@rajamnarayanan3348]

Venkat Devraj i

[@proud_indi2n]

Brilliant 👏

[@sury39]

not oly on music bot also on Cricket he excels

[@Sankara2000]

Isn't that Ram who started the Q&A session?

[@kannans6150]

Oh Sanjaysubramani!!!""

[@chisaharsh7533]

Too lengthy questions

[@sury39]

as usual brilliant

[@ramanramaswamy2029]

Right from SILAPPATHIKRAM days grass root structure for Carnatic Music is there/ right from those days music has spread on it's own& now thro' technology faster / wide. Great nathaswara Vidwans were from villages with early educations only. Outlook differs with every one

[@racha2665]

Good

[@mathanv]

I like Sanjay.. But for some reason heart tends to lean towards TM Krishna. TMK is brtually honest while speaking and atrociously wonderful when it comes to performance.. Who has the guts to sing Rabindra Sangeet on a Carnatic stage, other than TMK..? He doesn't follow any template to make his concerts and in my opinion, he is a revolutionist!

[@enrichingexchanges]

Agree completely that TMK is brutal. Sanjay, on the other hand, is both informed and authentic and apolitical. What you hear on this stage is exactly how he speaks in private. I have no idea about what exactly makes TMK tick, but a part of me says that there is a lot of brand-management going on by simply being a contrarian. Singing Rabindra Sangeeth in carnatic music concert does not take any guts for someone of his standing. If you are a top dog, there are lots of things you can do which an upcoming artiste won't be able to (or will take a lot of guts to do). But TMK's path was entirely traditional, and his training was steeped in the same tradition that he rails about as being exclusive. I think that his way of distinguishing himself, though, musically, he does not have to do that given his (TMK's) immense talent.

[@mathanv]

Thank you for sharing your views. Why I feel Sanjay is not honest is when the very valid question of "Why Carnatic music has not gone to all the levels" was asked (43:00), Sanjay's answer was absolutely rude. He uses 'Mumbai' in Cricket as a Metaphor to support the idea of Brahmins continue to own the marvelous art of Carnatic music. When Sanjay asks the guy who asked the question, "Boss what's your point??", does it not sound super rude? That question was not answered in a responsible way at all. But TMK is literally nailing the job of trying to bring the art form to be available for everyone. I do not understand what branding he has earned through this. In fact, he lost considerable amount of fan following is what I see. :) Although, as you have rightly mentioned that TMK himself has grown using the conservative, traditional way, still he shows zero hesitation in raising his voice against the very system. To me, it sounds even more honesty and having the guts for standing up for what you believe in. :)

[@enrichingexchanges]

let us try to deconstruct that exchange. The questioner asks several things, why carnatic music is not a vehicle of national integration, why not spread to the grassroots, what are your responsibility, and would you go to schools to spread the music. Sanjay's response is equally clear. No, a music system cannot be reflecting national integration. That CM is doing what it is supposed to do. No, he has no responsibility other than as a singer -- that he is not an administrator. I agree that Sanjay's tone was not necessarily endearing. He might have seen a hidden agenda, and he may not have wanted to put up with it. To me, that is a far more honest response. In fact, I think he is responding really to the TMK brand of public relations, and calling the bluff on it. I am sorry, but I have to disagree with the need to bring in a "brahminical" angle. Contrary to what TMK claims, there is absolutely incontrovertible evidence that people of all religions and all so-called-caste backgrounds have been celebrated in carnatic music. This is the kind of communist garbage that gets spewed from time to time to gain political brownie points. Last I checked Sheik Chinnamoulana was a person of the Islamic faith. K J Yesudas, a super star in my view, was taught by none other than Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. If TMK had so much trouble with the system, he should have gone to Semmangudi Srinvasa Iyer and told him the "brave" words he is telling today. If he had any guts, he would have done it when he had a lot to lose. Now, sitting at the top of the totem pole, he can do any circus as he pleases. No guts needed whatsoever. i see TMK's antics as follows: He wanted to find a way to position himself, to use marketing-speak, and adopted this agenda. I don't believe he has any core principles. In fact, I think he exploits ordinary folk for his personal gain. Taking a camera into a "kuppam" and singing a "porambokku" song stinks of political exploitation of the simple folks at the kuppam.

[@ashrithharith3474]

Mathan V - singing Robindra Sangeet in carnatic concerts is nothing new. TMK is much noise these days, than music

[@venkataramanvaidehi5181]

I prefer Sanjay to TMK.

[@rajeshwardoraisubramania7138]

Why is Sanjay mentioning only Beijing and Chinese in THE HINDU sponsored program.

[@gopalkrishnabhat6394]

What about khandan politics and nepotism in Carnatic Music

[@girishm5880]

Sanjay did not answer the audience question about "grass root structure" of carnatic music. It is sad that he answered that he is doing more concerts as part of his responsibility. So the massive responsibility for this personal individual is mere personal salvation ? Sad.

[@VedJazz]

Were you the person who was arguing with Sanjay?☺

[@girishm5880]

+Venkataraghavan TV No. I am not the one who is asking question. But the question has merit. In the beginning Sanjay fashionably said the award is a big responsibility on him. When probed how will he fulfil his responsibility in taking carnatic music to masses, he replies he will do more concerts. More concerts for who ? For the people who already know music ? Whats the use ?

[@takadikutadiginatom]

Girish! The grass root structure of Carmatic music has traditionally been a one-on-one guru-shishya tutelage. And all Sanjay can do as an individual (who has his own pursuit of excellence), is to teach and perform. He is grooming young musicians, and no one can question his performances. If your idea of reaching out to broader audiences means diluting his pursuit, by singing in one of those mojo music channels, it'd be an unfair ask! Given his grip and deep understanding over the subject, he has his rights to pursue his inquiry without (what he would think of as) distractions. He is just a perpetual student of carnatic music in it's traditional form. I want to put across a somewhat vague analogy: Why is it that CV Raman did not try to make science palatable to layman? Because he had his own pursuit to specialize and excel. He contributed immensely to science in his own ways. Bill Nye on the other hand is not a scientist per se, but just does cool stuff on TV to encourage kids to take up science as a passion. Sanjay is CV Raman equivalent, don't criticize him for not being Bill Nye-like.

[@kamalakananduraisamy8933]

Girish M ï

[@subramaniankp9852]

SS is only SS samanamevaro, what_a_simplicity?

[@ramabommaraju2715]

Some don't know their strengths. Sanjay sings Telugu compositions better than most Telugu people. I don't like his tamil music (except the Eppo Varu Varo).

[@thyagarajanvaidyanathan2315]

Rama Bommaraju I do agree

[@karthigamaths1987]

Listen to thunbam nergaiyil

[@tejasnair3399]

Wonderful conversation. At 32:42 is a highly offensive and foolish question though.

[@Iamlatha]

Tamizhla pesakkoodaathaadimma. Avarum tamizh (Palghat), neeyum Tamizh. Hmmmm.

[@govindc3781]

There are people who doesnt understand tamil who wish to listen to maestros like sanjay.

[@nanimys]

yes I'm not a Tamilian, yet I want to listen to his concert and his speech.

[@TheDrvel]

Sanjay Subramaniam is an unique ,Performer,Entertainer and ,A fully accomplished Artist,above all he understands the most knowledgeable music loving fans,He has the God gifted voice ,unmeasurable talent,everlasting enthusiasm,and never ending Enthusiastic support from his fan base.. Will go in history as the greatest entertainer of this century.

[@vetrivelmurukan4337]

No Tamil songs and no Tamil taalk... too bad they use Tamil for thier survivalll.. I would be happy if they can speak telugu and sanskrit to buy groceries etc...!!!! Tamizh language does not need these people dont believe in Tamil..

[@premgovender4285]

Thank God you resisted the urge to play cricket. What a serious loss that would have been to the music community

[@bmniac]

Sad that beard does not know what he talks about.

[@balasubramaniam9278]

This is not London or Newyork to speak in English.Please go to Oxford and show your talent in English.