Season - 4, episode 2 of “ZENPod”, continuing our conversation in Part 2 with Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan, Padma Bhushan awardee, Sangita Kalanidhi, ‘Kalaimamani’ – India’s foremost Carnatic Vocalist. Founder, Sudhaarnava Academy for Musical Excellence & “Samudhaaya” Foundation.
“Spirituality is my surrender to a power that orchestrates everything that happens within the Universe. It is the path where I get to know who I am, where I am heading, what are my Goals, where did I come from, my goals what have I done for…..” – says Smt. Dr. Sudha Ragunathan in her talk with Venkatesh Mahadevan
Sudha Ragunathan led the largest Carnatic band along with Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers to acquire a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Serving society
Her Sudhaarnava, Academy for Musical Excellence was launched with the objective of training senior level students and nurturing talent to produce high class performers.
She launched “Samudhaaya Foundation” in 1999, which has so far disbursed funds to the tune of over INR 50 million for various causes, focusing primarily on children.
Under Project Anugraha, Sudha has helped musicians who have lost their livelihood because of the pandemic, by giving them a monthly amount for sustenance for a period of three months
Awards
Sudha Ragunathan is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India, for the year 2015. Some of her awards include :-
• Music Academy’s ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’
• State Government’s ‘Kalaimamani’, ‘Sangeetha Choodamani’,
‘Sangeetha Saraswathi’, ‘Sangeetha Visharaadh’, ‘Sangeetha
Sampoorna’, to name a few, &
• Lifetime Achievement Awards
• Conferred the “Aasthaana Vidwan” title from religious institutions such as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Ahobila Mutt, Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashram & Sri Narayani Peedam
Sudha has enthralled packed audience at International Music Festivals and concerts held in the U.S., Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and several other countries globally.
Away from the mainstream
1. During the lockdown 2020, Sudha has conceptualized Expressions Espresso, a chat show with leading personalities.
2. Teaming with jazz wizard Amit Heri, she has toured the United States along with some memorable performances in India as well
3. Having sung some very popular numbers in Tamil and Malayalam films, she is currently into composing music for two Tamil films.
4. Sudha has walked the ramp as ambassador for the Parampara pattu, a customized brand of silk sarees, that has now culminated in the Parampara awards for recognizing outstanding performers in the field of art and culture
Websites: - www.sudharagunathan.com
www.samudhaayafoundation.org
Email: sudha.sudharagunathan@gmail.com
YouTube: Sudha Ragunathan – _Simply Sudha. Facebook: @sudha.ragunathan30
Instagram: sudha_ragunathan
Twitter: @RagunathanSudha
“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.
We at “ZENPod” believe that one person’s journey is another person’s learning. In these talks, we will touch upon spirituality and the intersection in real Life and how it can be leveraged on, for reaching a higher goal!
