Vasumathi Badrinathan comes from a family with an intense musical background. She is an accomplished vocalist of Carnatic music, the classical style of music from Southern India. She was initiated into this art at a very young age by her mother, the late Smt. Padma Seshadri, who was a talented singer. Subsequently, Vasumathi learned music from Smt. T. R. Balamani, the reputed music guru.
Vasumathi has imbibed in her style the fine tradition passed on by her mother – disciple of the late Yageneswara Bhagavathar and Smt. Balamani – disciple of the legendary late Musiri Subramanya Iyer and Sri. T. K. Govinda Rao. Vasumathi enjoys a rich traditional paathanthara by virtue of her training. Her distinct undiluted classical style reveals itself in her rendition of Kritis, raga contours and niraval passages. Endowed with a rich bass voice, Vasumathi uses it to explore the profound melodies of Carnatic music.
Vasumathi has been performing widely within and outside India for several years and has toured extensively in Europe and Asia Pacific countries. Apart from her concerts, her skill in presenting lecture-demonstrations and workshops has been well appreciated. Vasumathi is a recipient of the Junior Fellowship for music from the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Government of India, awarded to outstanding young artistes. Vasumathi is the recipient of the title “Sur Mani” for her proficiency in music by the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai. Her music is often broadcast over the All India Radio, one of India’s strongest upholders of classical music.
Vasumathi has released four CDs: Tamil Padams and Nayika portray the love songs of Tamil Naidu and Andra Pradesh, rarely performed and at risk of disappearing. Tamil Marai Isai contains the most beautiful verses of musical poetry by the Alwars -saints-philosophers-poets- of Tamil Naidu during the 8th to 13th centuries. Swara Dhwani presents songs that are typical of Carnatic music.
Besides music, Vasumathi is also an able dancer of Bharata Natyam, a classical dance style of South India. She has been groomed in this art by one of India’s s most revered and celebrated masters in the field – Kalaimamani Guru T.K. Mahalingam Pillai, of Sri Rajarajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Mumbai. Vasumathi represents in her style of dancing, the pristine beauty of the Tanjavur school of Bharata Natyam. Vasumathi has many performances and choreographic efforts to her credit. For her proficiency in dance, the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai awarded Vasumathi the title of “Singar Mani” given to young dancers.
As an artist, Vasumathi derives joy as a performer of both music and dance. Her intense involvement in both these streams gives her an added advantage and helps her present her art with more feeling, awareness and aesthetic appeal. Vasumathi’s grip over music nourishes her dance endeavors and her dancer’s intuition invests her singing with feeling and sensitivity.
She directs the Sivubadra Institute of Indian Art and culture that she founded to propagate the Indian arts.
Vasumathi lives and works in Mumbai in India.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
