M. Chandrasekharan Sketch by Subhiksha

“An amusing incident happened. I was promoting Sruthi magazine that year at the festival. It used to come in print. You know those magazines I have stacked up to the ceiling on the table in my room? Do you read it every month Ravi? “ he asked suddenly in a firm voice. “ Yes Thatha.” Said the boy with affected patience, “I get it on my Ipod. Sometimes I read it and sometimes I switch it to listen mode.” Said Ravi impatiently. Before the old man could say it he added ., “only reading build up the habit and promotes a sharp mind” mimicking his grandfather’s singsong tone.

“Any way let me continue, said Ravis’ grandfather. “ I saw this young girl enter the hall one afternoon. I thought she had come to attend the festival. I immediately tried to sell her a Sruti subscription. She was quite polite and said she would subscribe when she got back to India. Then one or two others came by and told me who she was. She was the artist Subhiksha. Even in those days she was doing pencil sketches. But she had come to Clevelend to accompany her mother Smt. Lakshmi Rangarajan. A few minutes later they were both on stage singing. I felt a bit embarrassed that I had made such a faux pas.” He chuckled quietly at the memory of his own embarrasment. “I felt better soon after when someone else told me he had tried to sell her mother a set of DVDs.! “ “What is a DVD thatha?” asked the boy.

“Never mind. Let me tell you the rest. They sang so well together. Ennaganu Ramabhajana was my favorite I think I remember a solid Sankarabharanam essay and a robust rendering of Eduta Nilicite. After the concert I did get to meet Subhiksha again and she showed me some of her sketches. I still have the two she gave me that day. One is of the violin maestro M. Chandrasekharan who was felicitated that year. and another of a section of the kids who presented the Samapradaya concert. Thatha! You have original sketches by Subhiksha? Shouted the boy. Can I see them? They must be worth a lot of money. “ Well they don’t really belong to me.” You see I told her I would pay for them. But she didn’t seem too keen on that. Then she left. Since I did not ever pay for them I don’t feel they belong to me. So I have just kept them all these years. I didn’t know she would become such a famous artist. When we go home I will show them to you. But only if you can get your mother to make me a cup of strong coffee .