Journey of Two Legends: Kavita Krishnamurthy & L. Subramaniam #Chai with Manju

And now, welcome to Chai with Manju, with your host, Dr. Manju Sheth. Welcome to Chai with Manju, with your host, Dr. Manju Sheth. You have had so many concerts in the world and so I wanted to ask you, what has been the most memorable concert and why for you? What about you? So Supermaniumji, why don't you start? Of course we are hoping the one on 9th May will be the most memorable. I hope so too. You know, in the past there have been some very special events, which were special because of certain reasons. One of the most memorable things was like, you know, playing with Lord Menuhin to celebrate the 40th year of India's independence in the United Nations in New York. So that was the first time the Indian violin with the Western violin we played together in the United Nations to celebrate the 40th year of India's independence in 1987. Subsequently before that, you know, after my mother passed away, I was asked to write a composition for New York Philharmonic. That was another piece, Fantasy on Vedic Chants, I did. That's another thing then, meeting Stephan Grappelli and doing the Conversation album, which became one of the most important album in the jazz history. And a lot of people have done things with that, including recently with A. R. Rahman, did a version of Conversation, Don't Leave Me, the composition I did for my father. So there have been different instances as a result of certain things which happened. So these are all become, I know, some of the milestone in my memories and career. Have you written a memoir or an autobiography? Well, I'm not able to finish it. It's taken quite a long time. I've been signed with the company. But he's written quite a bit now. But the other memorable things are like performing with the children and doing with Kavitha, a lot of orchestra major things I wrote, especially for voice. After 1999, we did a lot of major things with Kavitha, with the symphony orchestras and with the children as a whole family. Now I also have my granddaughter, we have a violin trio with my son Nambi, who is doing a lot of his own things. But also we do together with Nambi and Mahati and my daughter Vintu. So there are a lot of memorable, exciting things happening. And my eldest son, just for your information, he's an head and neck oncologist, a surgeon, head and neck surgeon. And he's very well respected Dr. Narayana. He travels all over the world giving lectures and everything. What a talented family you are! And Kavitha ji, any, your most memorable concert? Well, one of the first most memorable concert was when, you know, as a tourist I had gone to London. And I was looking at Albert Hall and my aunt was with me. She's the one who really brought me into music, into playback singing in Bombay. She was looking at Albert Hall and we'd just gone as tourists. She says, I don't know which day, I hope someday you'll perform here. That's what she told me. And cut to about nine years, eight, nine years later, I was there performing with Mr. Manna Dey. And then she was sitting on the first row. I think that was a great feeling. I couldn't believe, I had to pinch myself saying, oh, I'm singing in Albert Hall. I think that was a great feeling. And finally, many years later, another memorable concert was when I performed with my husband in Lincoln Center. And that was another auditorium I wanted to perform in. And then that too with a lot of wonderful jazz artists like Stanley Clarke and, you know, George Duke and everybody. And another concert which happened in Delhi for our festival, where we also had this great Al Jarreau came for our festival. You know, the jazz artist. And it was amazing to be with him and then, you know, all these great jazz artists. And I thought, you know, being in Bollywood, you don't know, you don't see other genres so much. So to be able to be on stage with these artists was very, very, it was a new experience and very, very exciting. And then last but not the least is also because of you. Thanks to him, I recorded and performed with the London Symphony Orchestra. That was another mind blowing experience for me. That is amazing. 70th year of India's, you know, celebration in Barbican. That was great. What about your autobiography? I'm in the process of starting it, but I was waiting for him to finish it. I think he's finished more than half. So the moment he finishes, I thought, you know, I'm planning to take the help of my daughter. I thought both of us would sit and write the book together. And you guys have to come back and do an interview when you're autobiography. Of course, it will be a pleasure. Thank you so much for that. So I have to, there is one question I like to ask all the musicians that I've interviewed. How do you prepare before you go on stage? Do you have a ritual? I remember that I get such surprising answers. One of the artists that told me, I listen to Mahamudra's songs. Zakirji said he likes to iron his kurta-pajama, you know. So I get a very unusual answer every time. So how do you prepare before you go on stage? Is there something special you do? No, as far as I'm concerned, I don't do anything special. But that particular morning, I like to be on my own, you know, like be in the hotel. And unless it's a soundcheck, I don't like to go anywhere. And I like to stay as quiet as possible so that I'm not using my voice very much on that day. And, you know, just a little bit of practice in the morning. And then I try to keep quiet and then it'll be the soundcheck and the concert. So just trying to gather my forces by not trying to tire my vocal cords. You know, I don't even like to pick up phones or talk to anybody. I like to be just be on my own on that day. Do you plan ahead what you're going to sing that day? Or do you go by what the audience wants? Do you have an outline? You know, unlike my husband, who's a classical musician, who sometimes walks up on stage without knowing which raga he's going to perform, in my case, 80% of my songs have to be popular hits. Like, I know that when I go up on stage, I have to sing Hava Hava, you know, I cannot come out and sing Hava Hava. Yeah, like Love Story 1942 or Nimbuda, I have to sing these songs. So mentally, I'm prepared to sing these songs, because I know that if I don't sing these songs, and I sing all my, some of my film songs, which I like, but which are not famous, my audience won't be happy. But I still try to sing one or two songs, which will be different from my other concerts, maybe, you know, something which I'd like to try out. But essentially, it's my popular hits. Rama too, you know, because we had only a couple of hours before we got to do the interview. He's like, okay, but can you ask her to sing some songs from Taal? I told Rama that I'll sing that song for him. When I come to Boston, he should be at the show, and I'll sing a few lines of Taal for him. For us, from Boston, you know, the song I think we can dedicate to you is Aapke liye hoga hum dil de chuke Sanam. Is that a song that you like? It's my favorite. But I'm going to say ki aapko toh humne dil diya hai na apna. Toh wahaan ki main bhi aap logon ko dil dena hai toh wohi gaadungi. So what about you? How do you prepare? I think basically, I try to be, you know, kind of an introvert. I don't like to meet too many people and stay there. Suppose sometime I pray, sometime I think about my father or some of the saintly people. Whenever I plan and go to the stage, I end up not playing that so that anytime my fellow musicians get disappointed. So I don't plan like that. I just go and once I start playing, the sound takes over. So that's inner guidance which helps me. So I just keep playing. Yeah. I mean, most classical musicians say that. I remember Jasraj Ji also. The audience of Kaushik, they all say that they go with the energy of the room a lot of times. Right? Yeah. So, aur mujhe bataiye ki aapko, aap free time mein kya karte hain? What is your hobby aside, not related to music at all? Not much, really. Because when I'm not singing, then I'm at home. And sometimes I'm hoping that my grandchildren come. If I can. All my three kids have... My daughter has one daughter, Mahati, who plays the violin with him. And then my son, who is a doctor, has two small kids, who are five, six and four. And a third son, my ambi, who is a violinist, he has a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. So I'm pretty happy if they come home or if I can go and spend time with them. And just read a little bit or, you know... Another passion I have is, my most best stress-busting thing is to clean cupboards. To re-fold the cupboards, and sweep my clothes and change their position. Look at this, I mean... Cleaning cupboards is a big stress-buster for me. I do that pretty often. What about you? There was a time I used to take a lot of photographs, which rarely I do. It's a collection of thousands of photographs. These days, I have to segregate that and try to bring out that also. That was one of the hobbies. And earlier, are you also... The other hobby, I'm sorry to say, is to say that I'm not happy with honorary doctorates. So he wants a doctorate. So he did a doctorate, then he got a DLIT recently. So he's doing all that work. Academic form is there also. So the photographs will be very good when you do your autobiography. That collection will come in so handy. I used to also collect a lot of foreign coins. Actually, I've been telling him to do a coffee table book of his photographs with a little note of why he took that photograph, when he took it, and if there's a memorable concept attached to it. I thought that could be very interesting. I'm already imagining how good that book will be. Very kind of you. Thank you. Thanks a lot. Now, I know you have a flight to catch and so grateful you gave us some time. But I have to ask you about the concert next week because we're all excited, thrilled. You know, what are you going to sing? Give us some idea how the concert is going to flow. Neha did tell me, but give me some idea about the format as well. Well, I think it's called Bollywood and Beyond. So it'll be with my entry, doing some of my Bollywood songs. And then the second half he comes in and he plays his fusion bit. And in the fusion bit, I also join him in two, three songs. We will decide also what exactly we want to do. And that is the part where I perform with him. Oh, very nice. I might make him play one film song also with me. Oh my goodness. For the rest of the time, I'll try to include myself in his composition to see how I can go about it. As a special Boston audience, can you sing something? Your voice is, I was telling you, so innocent, so pure. Can you sing something? Can you hum something? What should I sing? Whatever you want to sing. I have given you my heart, you can sing whatever you want. Should I sing what you said today? Yes, of course. We have the same feeling right now. Shalini, Vibhidara, Vibhidara Reni Taram Aaj main upar Aasmaa niche Aaj main aage Zamana hai peeche Aaj main upar Aasmaa niche Aaj main aage Zamana hai peeche Tell me, oh God, ab main kya karoon? Chalo sidhi ke ulti chalo Aaj main upar Wahat hai yaar. Thank you. Ekdum sab crazy hone wale hai. And you know the purity of your voice is just unbelievable. So as a doctor, I have to ask you, how do you maintain your health? Main toh yaar se India jaati hoon I am like half dead. So travelling so far, get off your voice. Mujhe bhi bahut taklif hoti hai. I have to puff work lehna padta hai mujhe. Mereko bahut sardi khasi ki taklif bahut hai. Bahut saalon se. It's not a new problem. So sardi khasi, weather change, pollen, yeh sab effect hota hai. Toh anti-allergies yeh sab lehna hota hai. I have to do all that. Aap exercise karte hoon kya itna sick rehne ke liye? Karte hoon thodi irregular hoon. Walking ho jata hai mera. But exercise irregular thoda ho jata hai. But jitna ho sakhe, I try to, you know. Aur voice exercise karna padta hai. Wo karna hi padega. And how about you? Asking a doctor. Yeah, I know. I know. Sorry. The phone is ringing. So these problems are there, you know. I have to sometimes go and see an ENT and when my attack is very bad then take some antibiotics. So that's part of my ongoing lab. But the thing is, like I told you, don't look back. I never give up. Kyunki mujhe kaana bahut pasand hai. I love music. Toh jitna ho sakhe, I try to think. But voice, ek riyaz jo hota hai na, long notes ki riyaz hote hain. That is very important for a singer. Ki wo long notes ki jo steady notes hai, which is like a meditational approach, that is very important. Because that calms your mind. Kise omkar ga rahe hain ya saab bahut der bol rahe hain. Usmein you feel healthy and also your voice gains strength by doing long notes. That's very important. What about you? How do you stay fit? Well, I think everyday I'm just, for myself, I try to play a little bit, as a prayer, some song in praise of Lord Ganesha or something like that. And every time when you play a concert, the inner voice guides you to start, try to do different things at different times. And you can't set up, because a lot of the music is improvised in our case. So you can't plan the whole thing. But mentally, you know, he's always in music. He's never out of it. His whole life. He ain't at all. I mean, you haven't, I've seen your programs over the years and YouTubes. Even at home, he's always working on it, one project or the other. It's either compositional or orchestral. He's always working at it. And that's good for me because I hear him playing also and it gives me a lot of energy. You know, when you hear another musician of his caliber practicing, it gives you a lot of energy. I get that energy. What ambience, what atmosphere you must be having in your house? It's like, you know, Saraswati ka baas hai aapke ghar mein. Mere bachche jab chote the na, atmosphere is very funny when the children were young. Because my daughter, Bindu, is a singer-songwriter and she's very fond of singing. She understands Carnatic music, sings a little bit, but she's more into Western singing. Toh ek kamre mein uska practice chalta tha. Aur ek kamre mein Ambi used to be practicing his violin. And then I used to be doing my Bollywood here and sometimes my eldest son, who's a doctor, would join me in singing, sunta hai mera khuda, kisi program ke liye practice kar raha hai, just to make him sing. And then he's also doing his practice. So sometimes if anybody comes in, they'll say, yeh kya, ek Bollywood chal raha hai, ek Angrezi chal raha hai, ek, you know, ek Carnatic chal raha hai, saray ka ghar e ghar chal raha hai ek jege pe. Aise hi hota tha amare ghar mein. Ab toh bache bade ho gaye aur alag alag paas mein rehte hain, toh abhi thoda itna chaos kam hai. Pehle toh bahut chaos hota tha. Beautiful chaos! Aise hi bahut naseeb walon ko milta hai. True, true. You know, what advice would you give the young Kavita when you look back? You know, the young in your early twenties starting out in Bollywood, what advice would you give? You know, you're so grounded. I would, looking back and looking at the way, you know, this technology has changed so much now. Looking back at that, I would say that for a young Kavita, I would say that there is so much to learn in so many different fields. Like for me, when I grew up, it was like learning basics of whatever classical music and then getting into Bollywood. But at that time, the opportunity to read and write western music or to learn western music was not there for me and I didn't. But today, I feel children should be able to learn. If they want to learn western music, they should be learn more languages. Learn whatever system of music you're doing, learn another system of music, like learn jazz if you're doing Carnatic music. All that helps and these opportunities are now available to children so that they should take, they should maximize their, you know, potential. What about you? What advice would you give your younger self? I think if they're passionate about something, they should dream big and work till they achieve the dream. Not getting, you know, something goes wrong, give up. No, if you dream big and till you get to the goal, there will be many different ways you find the right way to keep on working. Is there anything that you still have on you? You've achieved so much, you know. Is there anything that you still really really want to achieve? You know, music is a big ocean. You can't say that you have done everything. Every time you go, if you almost drop in the ocean, you still have so much to learn, still have so much to do. So, more you hear, more you dream, you keep on doing different things. There's no end to it. You know, I tell my husband that people who have the gift of music in their life, that's the biggest gift that God can give you. You know, it's a lifelong journey of learning and enjoying. Now, what would you like, Kavita ji, your legacy to be? Your biggest legacy to be? My biggest legacy to be for others is to... that it has been a learning journey for me and that till, I don't know how many years I'm going to live, but till then, it should be that my learning process, they should be able to see that I have remained a student till the end and the process, even if age comes in, only improvements have happened. The voice may not remain what it was 20 years ago, but the mental agility, the process of learning has not stopped and my interactions with the younger generation should be at their levels, not at my level, but at their level. That's what I would like them to feel that I'm communicating at their levels. And they love you. I've seen you on some reality shows also. They go crazy about you. So, that's great advice too. What about you? What would you like your legacy to be? I mean, basically, I want people to realize the transformation of Indian violin from an accompaniment to a global status where we have brought you to all the major concert halls and everything. So, that was my father's legacy. So, I want people to not forget that transformation, what happened, and people to remember Professor Lakshmi Narayana, who was responsible for the transformation. Now, a lot of earlier, you either play Indian classical music or accompany some people. Otherwise, you are, I think, life was pretty much closed. But after doing a lot of fusion projects and collaborating with a lot of people, I see many, many, many youngsters. So many different groups have popped up. It was not there in 70s. Now, you see in India, there are so many groups with violin, keyboard, guitar, and everything, which was not there during my time. So, that transformation also happened because of the collaborations. So, that legacy, people remember my father. Yeah, that's wonderful. So, I know you have a flight to catch. So, thank you so much. Thank you so much. So excited. Prasad, come soon. I'm looking forward to seeing you really. Such a lovely person. It was a pleasure talking to you.