By Fakir Hassen, IANS
Durban : Legendary south Indian singer T.M. Sounderarajan has urged Indian musicians everywhere to go back to their roots and first learn classical Indian music, as most of them leave him unimpressed.
“Classical music is the foundation on which all successful singing is based,” Sounderarajan said as he started a two-week tour of performances at various towns in Kwazulu-Natal province to help raise funds for a temple at Verulam, about 30 km north of here.
“If one can sing Carnatic songs, every other genre of song becomes easy to master,” said the veteran entertainer who jested about the hope of having a temple built in his honour by fans in India before he reaches his 115th birthday when someone remarked that he had achieved a “saint-like status”. He is currently 84.
Sounderarajan has a doctorate in Carnatic music and has mentored many musicians and singers in south India, with much of his repertoire of more than 10,000 songs being with the musical geniuses Illaiyaraja and M.S. Viswanathan.
Lamenting the absence of emotion, clarity and depth in the interpretation of lyrics by many young singers today, Sounderarajan said continuous practice was required before perfection could be achieved.
He said he had a special place in his heart for the South African Tamil community, who have flocked to his performances since he first performed here 35 years ago, with his last visit being a little over a decade ago.
“It is particularly gratifying that this time round, my performances will benefit an ashram where people of all religions will find sanctuary.”
Sounderarajan is the guest of the Sree Kassie Visva Nather Ashram, which is being developed in Verulam.
“The Tamil community (of South Africa) is one of the most appreciative of good Tamil music and really work hard at preserving their culture, nearly a century and a half after they first arrived here,” the singer said.