“It means the world to me to use our common language, music, to foster stronger relationships with each other and bring happiness into lives, one song at a time.” Today’s woman dreamer, Chithra Ramakrishnan has had a lifelong passion for South Indian Classical Music, which eventually inspired her to found ShruthiUK, a non-profit organisation intent on making the South Indian Arts more accessible in the Western world. In this interview with Women Who Win, she reflects on her journey in the music world, and how music teaches us about concepts like unity, tolerance, and connection. Enjoy!

1) What drew you into your love for South Indian Classical Music? How did you first get started with it and how has the journey been so far?

My adoration for South Indian Arts stemmed from childhood, after experiencing a television concert performed by Bharat Ratna Dr.M.S. Subbalakshmi when I was 8 years old. Fortunately, very early on in life, I had the realisation that you can only excel when and where there is passion; when my parents noticed my enthusiasm, they initiated me under the guidance of wonderful gurus, in the hope of honing my talents further.

Throughout my education in the arts, I have gainedinvaluable experiences and life lessons. Some of my most cherished memories are from performing South Indian Classical Music and Dance on stage. I would say having this opportunity to represent my traditions heightened my pride in my own culture. I wanted to nurture the same feeling in others, hence I began spreading these art forms in the UK, both as a performer and a teacher. The journey I’ve been on as an educator and student has certainly not been without surprises or challenges, but my relentless devotion and appreciation of these art forms made the ride much smoother.

I will always feel blessed to be a student of these rich art forms.

2) Why did you start Shruthi UK and organize the Thyagaraja festival? What does bringing together the classical music community mean to you?

I am a dreamer! Everyone must have the opportunity to experience the richness of the South Indian art forms – regardless of their geographical position. This is the dream that pushed me to become somewhat of an‘Indian cultural ambassador’ and educator based in the UK.

I would say my incessant desire to propagate the South Indian art forms globally led me to establish ShruthiUK, a non-profit organisation intent on making the South Indian Arts more accessible in the Western world. The primary focus of ShruthiUK is Arts Education – we create an ambience for nurturing skills and interest in the arts through regular training and interactive projects. I hope to pass on my love for Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam by encouraging the younger generation, the tomorrow’s leaders, to connect with and share their cultures and beliefs, through classes, festivals, conferences, and school outreach programmes.

To me, unity is incredibly important – the tolerance of other cultures can be seen as the first step to reach this, and appreciation follows. The BTF is the most popular annual festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance held in the West Midlands, establishing this county as a cultural hub in the UK. The festival is a vibrant and colourful celebration of the legendary composer, St Thyagaraja; it has helped to bridge the cultural gap in our society and join communities together through the arts, by encouraging mutual respect, love and understanding between groups.

It means the world to me to use our common language, music, to foster stronger relationships with each other and bring happiness into lives, one song at a time.

3) Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the classical music field and how have they inspired you to participate in the ways you do?

Inspiration has struck me at many times in my life. My mother, an avid musician and dancer, was the first source of inspiration I drew from. Her creativity and expression always astounded me and from then, I knew I wanted to emulate that brightness in my own life as well. My gurus and mentors also give me strength in challenging times, and I often ponder on their teachings when I’m faced with difficulties. My final source of inspiration is the youth. To me, it is inspiring to see the younger generation embracing their cultural identities, especially my students. It makes me feel as though I’m making an impact (even in a small way), that will sustain our rich culture for longer in the future.

I am very grateful to all those who have helped me in my artistic journey, both as collaborators and influencers.

4) You do a lot of work with several mental-health-focused and non-profit organizations. What does giving back to the community mean to you and how would you encourage others to participate in a similar manner?

Personally, the saying, “it is better to give than to receive” resonates with me, as it is a value I was brought up with. I believe in applying this compassion to wider contexts by giving back to the community, to foster happier, more colourful lifestyles through the arts. In today’s times, we all have so much happening in our lives; I feel it is important for us to strive to instill kindness and compassion in everything we do. Giving back to the community has broadened my perspectives and made me a better person, which isn’t necessarily my motivation, but certainly makes it a fulfilling experience.

For those unsure about donating time and effort to community service, I completely understand, life in this day and age is incredibly taxing. However, even if you attend community events, instead of organising them, I still think this is an act that will conduce societal cohesion, and you too may gain a sense of belonging, or feel that there are parts of the world that you may really relate to. 

5) What do you consider your or your organization's biggest accomplishment in the classical music field and how did it field to achieve it?

The magnitude of diversity in South Indian Classical music is so incredibly vast, and it encompasses millennia of history, culture, and traditions – reviving even a small percentage of this rich art style outside of the sub-continent, in a setting where it is far less prevalent, will always be a source of happiness to me.

I am fortunate to see Carnatic music and Indian Classical dance thrive in the younger generation, empower people from deprived social backgrounds, and give strength to mentally and physically challenged individuals. To know that I am instrumental in achieving this gives me boundless joy.

My joy and passion for the arts, partnerships I have built all through these years, and being a part of this diverse community is a great motivation. The recognition I have received so far is the result of the wonderful teamwork and my progress on this beautiful journey of learning, growing and giving back.

Thank you Chithra for sharing your inspiring story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network! 

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