HYDERABAD: It took nearly 15 minutes to find the auditorium, where Sudha Murthy’s programme was to be held. A beautiful blend of the green and concrete campus of the Indian School of Business, Gachibowli, was like a maze. Just when we found the door, we realised that the seats were being occupied briskly. Of course, it’s to meet Sudha Murthy, the woman who characterised feminism much before the word was coined. There were people of every age group, murmuring and fidgeting, waiting for the lady of the moment. I was absorbed in reading her book, ‘Wise and otherwise’ and suddenly there was pin-drop silence. I raised my head up, just to find Sudha Murthy, five metres away from me. Clad in an indigo hand-printed handloom saree, wearing her smile and bindass attitude as her ornaments, she looked like inspiration in human form. In this fancy world, she followed what Vivekananda said, “simple living, high thinking!’’
When the moderator announced about her, calling her Padma Shri Sudha Murthy, chairperson of Infosys Foundation, author, first female engineer, she stopped and gestured him not to say anything about her. Her modesty unconcealed her elan. Sriram Karri, a novelist and former journalist looked well prepared to have a dialogue with her. The conversation began and her class and eloquence pouring out.
After 93 minutes of conversation and Q/A session, she patiently autographed all the copies of her books, posed for pictures and to a detour of the campus. As she settled down in a room, she unlocked her candour for an exclusive chat with City Express.
What keeps Sudha Murthy going?
I never feel tired because I enjoy what I do. I travel 20 days a month, but I am never tired. That gives me energy and keeps me going. When we love what we do, we never have to work, it’s joy.
It takes a lot of guts, especially in those days to be a rebel and follow a passion. How did you cope with backlash?
(She laughs) People are there to talk yaar. I received backlash from thousands, but I never bothered. They will talk if you do good and when you do bad. We shouldn’t let anything affect us. Can we stop them from talking? Then why worry. (she holds my hand laughing)
You said you are a movie buff and would have become a film journalist? What are the changes movies have gone through, according to your observation?
Cinema is just a reflection of the society. Society has changed and so is cinema. Of course, the dialogue delivery, scripts, cinematography and acting skills have improved drastically. They have improved in every aspect except lyrics. I think lyrics those days was much more meaningful than now. Now live-in together has become common in films. Back then, women were subjected to violence but now, women are shown as happy-go-lucky girls.
I feel there is more scope for improvement in the portrayal of women. I loved Queen and Dangal in the recent times. Women can be shown in more inspiring ways than just fashionable ways. They can show women as strong characters, ready to withstand any trouble and survive every odd. I told Farhaan Aktar once to come up with meaningful cinema because it is the most accepted platform. People might not read books, attend talk sessions, but will surely watch cinema. Thus cinema should convey the right message. I find Telugu cinema better than Kannada. I like Mahesh and Ram Charan.
What kind of moral support did you give Narayan Murthy, when Infosys was going through the crisis?
I try to calm him down. I keep cracking up jokes and try to reduce his tension. I always tell him that things will settle down and it will fall in place. I ensure there is no stress built up around him. In our generation, we had faith in God. We leave it to god and it also works for us. Stress in business doesn’t come home. When we are stressed, I keep questioning. What will happen if I stress? Will it work? What can be the worst thing to happen? Can I help? No! So why stress. Acceptance of a situation will ease all the stress. I used to counsel my students too. They used to come to with breakup stories and I keep telling them, don’t worry, you will find someone better.
Every book is your baby, that you nurtured. Which one was tough?
House of Cards! It is a novel that took a long time to write. It was a complicated story on change of personality. In a marriage, if one person changes and other doesn’t, how it could be. It was a case study and I also had to imagine how it feels.
Your message to the young girls with fire within?
(She smiles) Work hard, stay confident, learn a sustainable skill.
When Sudha Murthy is not at Infosys Foundation, how does her schedule look like?
Most of the times, I am at the foundation, otherwise, I read books. I am fond of cleaning. I keep cleaning the bookshelves. I keep a watch of how much groceries are there at home. I love gardening. I grow my vegetables.
What is there on your bucket list?
I want to visit Mohenjodaro.
Does dressing really matter? It never mattered to you and why?
My daughter is studying in Standford University and she keeps asking about dressing. I ask her if the interviewer is going to look at her dress? I always tell her that dress doesn’t matter. What matters is confidence. Confidence can conquer the world. I don’t say dress shabbily. Wear comfortable and decent clothes.
We have to think beyond shallow things like clothes and make-up. I love my cotton sarees. I am comfortable in them and that’s what matters.
The story of F10,250!
I am a good investor without studying in ISB. I gave Narayan Murthy that `10,000. I kept `250 with me thinking pata nahi kya hoga, itna toh rehne do (she laughs). It was not greed for more money or wealth. It was sheer love for Murthy that made me give him the money.
How is this generation when it comes to contribution to the society?
I feel the younger generation is much more generous. They are ever-ready to contribute for the society. They are empathetic and helpful.
Who is behind this successful woman?
Behind every successful woman, there is an understanding husband. My parents moved from Hubli to Bangalore. They used to live downstairs. They took care of my kids when I went to college and followed my passion. My mom used to scold me when I used to come home late but she wouldn’t stop taking care of my kids. Only parents can be like that. When they grow old, it is our responsibility to take care of them.
Can you share about a few struggles that you went through?
My daughter was very small and down with a severe fever. I was carrying her in my arms and we took an auto to the bank. We usually take buses. We were 10 minutes early. The manager had come and asked us why we wanted five lakh rupees loan. Murthy explained to him that he wanted to start a software company called Infosys.
He said I can’t touch and feel the software, so I can’t grant the loan. He asked if have anything to mortgage. We said we don’t have any asset. He asked us to leave. I knew I was not getting the loan, I thought let me at least give him a piece of my mind. I asked him if we could mortgage our two brains and four hands. He said we won’t get `10 for that and asked us to leave. Murthy was disappointed but I told him we can handle it and not to worry. We moved to Bangalore from Pune. Today, I keep cracking jokes with Murthy. I tell him how Bangalore has become traffic prone because of him. (She laughs leaving everyone inspired)
What do you love the most about Murthy?
Girls look at the boy’s family, wealth and everything before marrying. Murthy was not even employed. I like his honesty, his intelligence, and loyalty. There will be fights in a marriage. When people say we never fight, it means they were never married. But we should always be like jaane do yaar.