Dr.Shyamamani Devi

“I was very ambitious as a kid. I wanted to sing, I wanted to sing really well, I wanted to be appreciated for my singing: That was my mantra since I was just three and it still is. At that tender age, looking at my grandmother’s radio set, I used to dream how one day people will listen to my voice on it. It’s been forty-eight years roughly but I can’t remember when I actually started- it just happened.

During those times, in Odisha, music had no meaning. I was very lucky I had people with me supporting my art. My family always had my back even though some relatives formed opinions (The same relatives today are proud of me and give their recognition referring to being related to me). Being in the newspapers today, is a glory; back then- it was not. A girl being a singer or a dancer, is despised by our society, sometimes even today. Being in the news, was embarrassment. Mr. Biju Patnaik- he has helped me, an Odia girl, get recognition outside my state. The surrounding here wasn’t much fit for any budding singer so he sent me to Bombay. During my training there, I used to learn from my Guru and later work for him, doing his house chores. That was how we used to repay for his teachings. They had very strict rules for practice. I have even been beaten by my teachers, but all for my good. If it were not for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Singing is an art and having that as a career is unconventional but very brave. You just need patience, will and determination. In this field, if you go ten steps ahead, society might bring you fifteen steps backward. But if you trust your art, you will go places, no doubt. In music, to learn one-fold, you need to listen four-fold first. Anyone can paint but not everyone is an artist, right? The final touchup of the artist makes all the difference. The same way, the more you listen, the more you adapt in your voice and the more your horizon will increase. Art is indefinite; your hunger for knowledge should be greater. Hurdles are inevitable. Some days are sunny, some stormy. At times, your art will be appreciated, at times, criticized. You should just not stop, NEVER!

There is something that has always inspired me. It is said that the late Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi, one of the greatest Indian singers, was never off-tune even while laughing. He was such a great Indian icon but still at his death bed when people asked him, he hardly had any complaints about life.He replied, “Are you all out of your mind?.Out of the 7 Surr, 22 Shruti, I wish I could’ve completed at least one Surr in this lifetime but I’ve failed.” These words coming from him is enough to inspire me to keep learning every day, even at this age.

To all budding music enthusiasts out there, I’d just say: Follow the three D’s – Devotion, Dedication and Determination and you shall achieve what you desire. Be honest with your music. Surrender yourself to this art form. Respect your Guru. Have patience. When you become something, do not let ego crawl into you and always have a healthy relationship with the sentiments of your audience. That’s the key in this field.”

-Dr. Shyamamani Devi

ReplyForward