"Akhila nanna paadaraye! Paatu class la serthu vidaren". And there began the countless days of paatu class with the least amount of interest that could be spared for it, eventhough I was reasonably good in singing. "Nanna sruthi nikkaradhe, innikke serthudungo" were the words, I think, I would have never meant to forget, when my Paatu master Mr. K told on the day of Vijayadasami, to my mom and thatha ( my maternal grand-father). My thatha, happy and full of pride did as much publicity to this matter, as possible, adding to my misery.
Then came navarathiri golus, marriages where-in I was made to sing asking"Nee paatu kathundrukkiye, krishnar mela oru paatu paadu" which I would try to escape saying that I dont have my book at present, or that I have a bad throat, I dont know any songs on Krishnar, would go in vain. The agony I went through during those times were un-wordable. The situation rose to a peak when my bro's mrudhangam master would ask me to sing for him and my bro, to practise jadhi for the songs and for 'karpanajadhi'. My bro was damn good at it, that I started getting an interest singing for him. But still, golus and family get-togethers were still a no-no, where i wud get the center of attraction to sing. My mom would also teach me small songs and 'thukdas' which were composed by my patti(my paternal grand mother).
My paatu master would arrange for a kacheri on the day of Vijayadhasami every year with great violinists and mrudhangists, to get the feel of how to sing in co-ordination with them.
Every student and student groups would have to perform a mini kacheri with a small 'thani aavarthanam' for mrudhangam, each a slot of 45 mins to an hour! I learnt the format of a kacheri only with this practise! Everyone hearing the kacheri would appreciate me but still, I was one very non-interested person.
But, ask me to sing any ARR's or Anu Malik or anyone, I was always ready! I went through the agony of paatu class for a little over 2 and a half years till one fine day I was told not to sing for 6 months following a surgery in my abdomen. That was the end of my paatu class and the beginning of cassette and CD class days which were predominantly ARR, Jatin Lalit, Ilayaraja, Nandeem Shravan. I would just memorise each and every song and sing along with the cassette/CD, much to the fury of my dad-mom!
This continued to my college days and everyone appreciated the fact that I had a good voice and I could give life to the song. Even here I didn't give much thought or interest to singing. I started working after my college and there came a full-stop to my paatu. I became so busy that I could barely spend some time with my parents Due to the lack of practise and listening, my singing became not-very good to worse and even bad. When I met my hubby and found out that he is interested in music and would love to hear me sing, that is where I really got stung! Yes, I used to sing during the initial days of my marriage. That stopped too, due to no-reason at all! Now that, when I listen to MSS, Maharajapurm Santhanam, Semmangudi, Ariyakkudi, Hyd. brothers, I wish, I could sing ! But alas, even I loathe my voice. Paavam naan! Paatu class continue pannindu irundhirukalaam!
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