The Buzz of 'Her Inner Song' Premiere Screening

By Namrata Pulapaka (guest blogger)

When I entered the Riverside Theatres on Sunday afternoon, it was to a full house and the buzz of anticipation. I was quite curious about this film directed and produced by Indu Balachandran that I had heard and read so much about! The program opened on a high note with live performances by three of the five ladies featured in the film, accompanied by their children and grandchildren. What I found truly inspiring was that at the grand age of 91, Swarnam maami was not only able to sit in tailor-fashion onstage, but also deliver a full-fledged performance of the majestic Māmava Pattābhirāma, an iconic composition of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Maṇirangu ragam. We were also treated to a clipping of a bautifully stirring Behag raga-alapana by the admirably self-taught vainaka Bhagirathi mami.

             

True to its title, the film ‘Her Inner Song’ perfectly captured the varied and colourful personalities of the women while simultaneously highlighting the common thread between them – their perseverance through trying circumstances and their enduring passion for the classical art of Carnatic music! Indu’s questions hit the target every time and allowed the reality of these unsung stories to surface, evoking a beautiful nostalgia. The film’s intensity was interspersed with unexpectedly humorous quips from the maamis that had the whole audience giggling.

These talented ladies had the opportunity to interact with some of the most accomplished Carnatic giants in recent history. Bhuvana maami learnt directly from the great Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, the revivalist of Bharatanatyam and founder of Kalakshetra. As the humble Rajalakshmi maami (winner of various prizes at music competitions in her day) put it, receiving an award from stalwarts such as Sri G. N. Balasubramanian and Sri Maharajapuram Santhanam was a gold medal in itself!

               

 

As a Gen Y girl who has lived in Australia my whole life, the contextual differences between my society and upbringing and theirs were stark. Their circumstances are unfathomable to me – talented and enthusiastic young women living against the backdrop of a staunchly patriarchal society seemingly full of narrow-minded expectations and limitations. However what I found remarkable is the proof that even in adversity beauty can thrive. Despite the restrictions placed on them, these women stayed true to their music and it continues to flourish today. Ganga maami is happily teaching students and giving performances till date! More importantly, it was a valuable reminder to many of us in the audience to appreciate the freedom and opportunities so readily available to us!

Overall, the program was very well-conceived and tastefully executed, and a true inspiration to others on their own musical journeys. I strongly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for the arts and an interest in history (or in this case, herstory!).

Hearty congratulations to the whole team for a fantastic effort!

I eagerly look forward to Indu’s future endeavours.

Her Inner Song: Film Preview

Her Inner Song Trailer, a short video piece, will introduce you to the project visually. The two minutes is the tip of quite an iceberg of stories of musicianship as a woman.

The song played on the veena is in raagam Kaapi, with a short taanam. It is a Thyagarajar composition, Meevalla Gunadosha.

Carnatic Music's Women-Pioneers In Australia: 'Her Inner Song'

As my grandmother and I age, I find myself more curious about her past. My grandmother, Bhagirathi Narasimhan is a self-taught veena artist, who rose to become a well-known musician in India and an All-India Radio artist. Her stories of the challenges she faced, as well as her joy from this "gift of God" made me wonder how women transitioned from behind the walls of the home on to the stage.

After a year of consideration, I have begun the process of documenting the stories of 80-something and 90-something year old women in Australia, who have a more-than-passing commitment to Carnatic music. It could just give us women, who are born or raised in Australia, a glimpse into our community's history, as recounted by the lived experience of extraordinary, ordinary, women musicians and artists.

'Her Inner Song', the project is named.

Discovering the quiet stories in the community, of women who dreamed, accomplished, and many times, lost something, I spoke to a number of women, whose stories and experiences shape "Her Inner Song" - Bhuvaneswari Venkataraman, Swarnam Naganathan, Rajalakshmi Venkatachari, Ganga Ranganath, and Bhagirathi Narasimhan.

If you'd like to join the journey - help with the filming, editing, online platforms, community engagement, events, rope in your grandmother - get in touch.