Bombay Jayashri

“I feel extremely humbled and grateful on being bestowed the Padma Shri by the Government of India. It’s the blessings of my parents and gurus,” said renowned Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri.

The Government of India today released the list of Padma Awardees, on the eve of the Republic Day. Padma Shri this year will be awarded to 102 eminent personalities in diverse fields.

Bombay Jayashri, a disciple of violinist late Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, has been chosen for the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Centre. In all, 119 have been chosen for Padma awards.

Subbu Arumugam, too, has been chosen for the Padma Shri award from Tamil Nadu. K.S.Chithra, playback singer, has been chosen for the Padma Bhushan award.

Padma Vibushan will be conferred posthumously on late S.P. Balasubramaniam, a well-known play-back singer.

Bombay Jayashri is unique in very many ways. Her music has the effect of weaving a magical web on listeners. Jayashri is a multi-talented artist. Her language skills, crystal clear diction and creative competence have all combined to place her in a distinct position in the world of Carnatic music. Her unhurried approach to music has won appreciation from one and all. Over the years, Jayashri has managed to build a huge fan constituency which is discerning nevertheless. She set to tune `Meghaduta’, an extraordinary poetic work of the 5th century poet Kalidasa. She was also an Oscar nominee for her musical composition for the film Life of Pi. Jayashri has been helping the cause of autism children. Of late, she has engaged in teaching music for kids in Manjakudi, a tiny village in Tamil Nadu. During the Covid-induced lock-down times, she composed a lullaby in different languages (titled Moon Child) and dedicated one of the songs to the children of Manjakudi. With the annual December music season going online in view of the pandemic, Jayashri dedicated herself singing Andal’s Thiruppavi comprising 30 verses. She released a verse a day online for her audience across the globe. Her mother Seetha is her inspiration all through. Jayashri had her early music lesson from late T.R. Balamani. Once she shifted to then Madras and came under the stewardship of Lalgudi Jayaraman, it has been only an upward journey for the musician Jayashri. Vaseegara -her song in Tamil film Minnale – won her a Filmfare award. Since then, she has sung a few more for the film world.