Rumya Saraswathy is a performer and practitioner of Carnatic music in and around the Greater Delaware Valley area. She primarily learnt under her mother and first Guru, Smt. Nalini Venkateswaran, a grand disciple of Mudikondan Sri Venkatarama Iyer. Rumya then received advanced training in manodharmam and keerthanam rendition under Gurus Smt. Kiranavali Vidyasankar, Shri Maharajapuram Ramachandran, and Smt. Kalyani Ramani. She has also studied to play the veena, as well as learn the rare compositions of Srimajjada Adibhatla Narayana Dasu, from her mother-in-law, Smt. Sobhana Ayyalasomayajula (his great-granddaughter).
I find Saint Thyagaraja’s pancharatna krithis absolutely brilliant. Sadhinchene and Endaramahanubhavulu are two of the greatest compositions to have been written, both in terms of music composition and the divinity of the lyrics!
I was supposed to sing Sadhinchene in my music arangetram; however, due to time restrictions, we decided to cut it out of the lineup. However, the amount of time I spent learning, revising, and perfecting this pancharatna krithi is something that has made it one of my favourite compositions of all time. It has etched a dear memory in my soul!
I am looking forward to enjoying the ambience of a Thiruvaiyaru-style aradhana in honour of the great Saint Thyagaraja. Hopefully, we can include many more local artists, both vocal and instrumental, in celebrating his legacy and music.
