In an interview with Express a few years ago, noted Classical singer ‘Bombay’ Jayashri Ramnath had admitted to experiencing a heady sensation, a hitherto unforeseen attention in public, coupled with goodwill, shortly after her Kollywood number Vaseegara from the Tamil movie Minnale (Zara zara in the Hindi film Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein) became an overnight hit and the de-rigueur anthem for lovers.
Circa 2013, with another of her numbers — this time a Tamil lullaby in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi — earning her an Oscar nomination, in addition to being an Internet sensation, wowing audiences across the world, she might have to brace for public attention this time from around the world.
Equally fluent in Carnatic and Hindustani styles of classical music, Bombay Jayashri had been trained by illustrious artistes of both forms — from T R Balamani to the legendary violinist Lalgudi G Jayaraman; from Mahavir Jaipurvale to Ajay Pohankar. An artiste whose concert career dated back to the early 80s, Jayashri also had the rare distinction of performing in many foreign countries, collaborate with artistes of distinct, in addition to her cross-cultural ventures. In short, her calling card might be described as an artiste who had something for the connoisseur of every kind — from the discerning elite to the laymen. She is also a music teacher. Amongst her popular albums included Aatma, a rendition of the songs of the revolutionary poet Subramania Bharati.
Her musical affiliation apart, Jayashri had also espoused social causes such as supporting institutions for special children and cancer patients. In fact, on Friday, she attended the press meet of an institution for the special children to announce her participation in a fund-raising concert.
From the nightingale of the city, the nation now awaits with bated breath perhaps a repetition of the words ella pughazhum iraivanukke (made famous by A R Rahman after he collected his Oscar on stage). That would be a moment to relive for the entire country.