CHENNAI: Sudha Raghunathan, a prominent vocalist and a recipient of the Padmabhushan and the Sangita Kalanidhi awards. She has performed in a range of concerts and festivals worldwide, and has released over 200 albums with leading recording companies like AVM, INRECO, Vani and Amutham. She has also rendered Vande Mataram at the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi, to mark the completion of 50 years of the free Indian Republic. City Express caught up with the artiste during the launch of Tiffin magazine at the Malgudi restaurant, Savera Hotel to know about her take on Namma Chennai…
What is your fondest memory of Chennai?
I came to Chennai in 1977 from Bengaluru. We did not have a coast line there and I enjoyed the beaches here. It used to be a lot of fun to go and step into water. Apart from that Kabaleeswarar Temple and the famous Ranganathan Street are some of my favorites.
Where would you take a non-Chennaiite during their first visit to Namma ooru?
Our city has some of the best temples and I would take them there, depending on the type of temple
they like.
Three words or things associated with Chennai that you would teach someone?
Filter coffee, Pattu Podavai and Maligai Poo for sure!
Things you take from here to places you travel?
My Pattu saris of course! I carry a bit of Chennai with me through them. They will be with me all the time and keeps reminding me of this beautiful city.
An area you want to explore?
Everyone talks a lot about Sowcarpet and Parry’s corner — the fancy shops and goods one can get there. I want to explore that sometime and also Thambu Chetty Street.
Something about the city that you would like
to change?
The civic sense! The mindset of people need to be changed and they have to come forward and help in keeping the city clean. Seeing people litter on road and throw garbage irks me and I sometimes want to shake them up. I feel really bad about that. Also, the process of clearing garbage and rubbles is slow in our city. The process needs to speed up.
A song which you think is a reflection of Chennai and you would love to sing?
There is an old song Madras Nalla Madras (Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi, 1967), I think that is a perfect reflection of the city.
Erstwhile Madras or modern Chennai?
I have my favourite moments in both. With time things change and that’s the only way to go forward. If Chennai is on par with all the other cities, it’s because of change and development. Though we have lost a few traditions and ‘black and white’ moments of the city, the heart aches to go back sometimes…you know you can’t and have to accept and go forward.