Its been a decade since I quit singing. I can hardly get anything straight/right anymore is what I thought. And then, one fine day, bam!
I was, at a desi party, when I was asked to sing. Not cos I was any expert, but cos I recognize most of the songs played anywhere. After many NOs, I decided its better I show them what I was capable of and they will never ask me to sing again. There were professional singers, keyboard and tabla players around. To minimize any embarrassment, I kept them informed that I may not get the shruthi/taal right. The keyboard player ( in his 60's) told me, "I can catch up with you as you sing. Don't worry. You are going to be fine." I sang 'Vaseegara' from Minnale at a fairly high range and tempo cos I found it easy to morph my randomness that way. Luckily, it all started and ended well. The uncle with the keyboard called me near him and said "Only when you sing, you know u can; I think you should start training again." I said "Will definitely try. But now I know I will not say a NO next time."
The very moment, I finished singing, all I wanted to do was call my Paatti and tell her that I could sing again. After all, it was and is still something she wishes could happen someday. I rushed home, picked the phone and called the first ever guru of mine, my 90 yr old Paatti. "Paatti! Naan paadinen. Vaseegara iruku illa, andha Madhavan padam, Bombay Jayshree paatu, adhu dhan." That very statement evoked the singer in her and she started giving me a piece of her mind which ended with her evergreen saying "Paada Paada Raagam; Paduka Paduka Rogam." The happiness in her voice knew no bounds and she said "India varache, en kuda rendu naal thangi irundhu oru naalu paatu paaditu podi."
If at all, there is some music in me, its all cos of her. My first guru who taught me to sing "Sa Pa Sa"; who let me touch her precious harmonia petti everytime she wanted me to practice (but for a bribe, I neva did anything even then ;)); one who still thinks there is a chance. I am sure everyone of us has similar cherished childhood memories which have a significant impact on what we are today. The analyst in me wants to say "Current is definitely a function of Past."
Everybody talks about "Paatti Vaidhyam" all the time. I thought, I should take this opportunity to thank my paatti for the "Paatti Vaadhiyam", if I can call it that.
