Awards for Mrs.Prema Ramamurthy

Posted by Jayaprada Ramamurthy (61.1.179.149) on August 14, 2006 at 23:30:24:

In Reply to: my message posted by Jayaprada Ramamurthy on August 14, 2006 at 23:19:27:

Dear Anita, I happened to see your article 'some notes on the season' in SRUTI(258-online edition) where there was a mention about my mother, Mrs.Prema Ramamurthy not having received any awards as a leading vocalist for Dance. It was very indeed very heart-warming for me, to know that atleast one dancer(though not directly associated with her) has taken note of this, and has raised this question in the media. Though several people have mentioned this, none had the interest or inclination to bring it to the forefront. Undoubtedly, Mrs.Prema Ramamurthy is the topmost musician for Dance, and has revolutionized 'Dance singing'. I've seen no other musician being acclaimed so much, both as a Dance Musician & as a Concert Singer. Even as a child, I have seen the Greatest of Dancers & Dance Gurus, Dance Musicians & the audiences unanimously acknowledging her incredible talent, imagination and expertise as a Dance Singer & composer. Subbudu Mama, Leela Venkataraman, BRC Iyengar - there's not one critic who has not praised her sky high! She was even proclaimed as 'DAKSHINA BHARATA PARVEEN SULTANA' in one particular review. Not to mention her music composition for Dance --- every dancer that has worked with her will acknowledge her wonderful creativity & amazing imagination, which has made them explore newer vistas in their choreographies. Every bit of Music that Mrs.Prema has composed has earned the Dancer the greatest of laurels. Yet, the awards, the recognition from Government / private institutions have always evaded her. Mrs.Prema is one of the few artistes (count on finger tips) who, even today, never quotes a 'RATE' for singing for a recital/recording, composing Music for one particular song/an entire Dance Drama --- where today's dance musicians' exhorbitant rates make several dancers run towards taped-music! This is despite the fact that she is one of the very few Dance Musicians who has an 'A-GRADE' at all India Radio, and has given 'KUTCHERIS' at several prestigious venues (including the MADRAS MUSIC ACADEMY & the AKASHVANI SANGEET SAMMELAN) in India & Abroad. I even remember having overheard Malavika Sarukkai once mention to my mother years ago -'How come you sing with the same verve & feeling, even if the Dancer is an amateur? Isn't it such a strain on your voice?' - NEVER COMPROMISE ON QUALITY - has always been Mrs.Prema's Motto. I have seen Several Dancers make her record even the Neraval for a particular line in a PadaVarnam before working on the Sanchari Bhava, because they cannot easily match her Sangathis! Her latest musical expedition for 'PANCHATANTRA'(by Ananda Shankar Jayant) was a revolutionary piece of work which heralded the most modern approach to Dance Music, without the slightest deviation from the Carnatic idiom - I was stunned to hear a Melakarta like 'KANAKANGI' being so beautifully used to depict the plight of a tortoise, when drought occurs! As a concert Flutist and as a Director of an arts Instituion at Hyderabad, this is the first time I have I have absolute conviction when I say that she is one of the GREATEST MUSICIANS for Dance - a living 'LEGEND'. Even when I mentioned your article to her, she said -'This itself is equivalent to getting a PADMASHRI, for me'. Even today audiences rush to a dance performance, the moment they hear PREMA RAMAMURTHY is going to sing for the Recital - akin to a Kutcheri where a Vidwan like Palghat Mani Iyer accompanies a Concert Musician on the Mridanga! Yet, where such Kutcheri 'Pakka-vayidhya' musicians are conferred 'SANGITA KALANIDHIS' & PADMASHRI's, as a Dance Singer, Mrs.PREMA has been remained in the background... At 64, she is still an active Singer, Composer & she spends her time teaching youngsters how to tame the voice to reach the 'ATI TARA STHAYI SHADJAM' with ease! - Thank you Anita, for having remembered Mrs.Prema Ramamurthy.