Solemnity is the keynote of her personality. The ever smiling face, with kumkum on her forehead she is the epitome of grace and beauty. Padma Bhushan Dr N Rajam accompanied by her granddaughter Nandini Shankar at the 8th International SPIC MACAY Convention spoke with much warmth about the tradition of her household. “Music runs in my family. I was handed violin at the age of 3. This tradition of handing over a musical instrument has been going on for about 8 to 9 generations. My daughter and her daughters also started learning Viloin at the age of 3,” said Dr N Rajam, in an interview with The Hitavada. Taught by her father, Dr Rajam has taught her daughter and also teaches her grand daughters. Young Nandini called herself grateful to have learned the knowledge of the string from her grandmother, the woman who revolutionised the Hindustani classical. Dr N Rajam has left a high water mark in the field of music.

Shankar exhibiting a deeper understanding of music said, “Music brings people together, cultures and traditions together. Music is the essence of the world. The more together you are, the more harmonious you are.” To belong to such a rich legacy is a matter of pride for Shankar. She believes that it enriches life’s experience. It blooms ones personality, she added.

Dr N Rajam is the pioneer of Gayaki Ang - a technique to produce what the vocalist sang. Driven by the ambition and simple love for the string instrument, she strive to do something different. “It took immense research and study to produce something like that,” she said. When asked about finding harmony on stage with percussion instruments and other artists, she said, “It is an absolute joy. Indian music is 99 per cent improvisation on the spot and the rest is pre-composed music. Music is the thing to bring harmony and harmony is the basic. It simply just can’t be otherwise.” Her contribution has changed the field of Hindustani Violinist. She plays Khayal, Thumri, Drupad, to any form of vocal music just with a swish of her wrist on the Violin. Sharing the joys of performing with daughter, granddaughter, and fellow artists, she said, “Music was encouraged in my family. Today, as I understand that the situation has changed for some but music brings harmony. Harmony to life and soul. There’s simply a lot to learn.”