‘Hard work and consistency are key’

Musician sisters, Ranjani and Gayatri, were conferred the title ‘Isaijothi’ and the ‘D.K. Pattamal Award’ to commemorate the 98th birth anniversary of Carnatic music legend D.K. Pattamal by Aanmajothi, a cultural wing of Saraswathi Vidyalaya School and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Ms. Gayatri recollected playing for Ms. Pattamal when she was a teenager “Initially, the idea to play for her was intimidating but she exuded so much warmth and generosity of spirit,” she said.

“There may be a handful who may get a chance to perform easily but to sustain in this art, one needs to be consistent and put in extraordinary amount of hard work,” Ms. Gayatri said.

“For an artist to grow, a good ecosystem is needed which includes great gurus, encouraging rasikas and critics. Everyone has contributed to our growth and that is why we are here today to receive this award,” Ms. Ranjani said.

Musician Nithyasree Mahadevan reminisced how her grandmother Pattamal would rave about the performance of Ranjani-Gayatri when they were violinists. “Several years ago, they played violin for my grandmother and for them to get this award today speaks volumes of their potential. Both their voice quality and style are different, yet they beautifully sing in sync,” she said. Ms. Mahadevan spoke of how Aanmajothi has been contributing to music.

Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan L. Sabaretnam and musician Geetha Rajasekar also spoke.