Today we’d like to introduce you to Savitha.
Savitha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, I am Savitha Namuduri, a musician and Founder Director of Surabhi Music Academy. My journey in Classical South Indian Music (Carnatic Music) started as a six year old and has steadily advanced with time. I have straddled academics and music education up until attaining Masters degrees in both Sociology and Music. In my early 20s I migrated to the United States to pursue Ph.D. in Business Administration but kept my passion for music alive by performing and teaching. It was also a way for me to keep in touch with my cultural roots. It wasn’t until 2016 that I decided to formally name a music school. This decision was based on a need to formalize and provide structure to students in terms of curriculum, performance opportunities, master classes and workshops. This year, as Surabhi Music Academy celebrates its 10th year anniversary, I am proud to say that we have a built a community of students who are mostly born and raised in the United States, pursuing this art form at an advanced level and continuing the tradition by teaching to younger students and to those young at heart. Our community now includes adults that have a strong desire to pursue this classical art form after having put it on the back burner to pursue professional and family advances.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As with anything worth doing, it wasn’t a smooth road to get to where I am today and where I have brought Surabhi Music Academy. I am a first generation musician in my family. That brings with it, its own set of challenges. Lack of knowledge in the family leaves room for many so-called “experts” among well wishers, providing their own pieces of advice, sometimes, conflicting with each others’. Fortunately, I had very dedicated and knowledgeable gurus, who took immense interest not only in imparting content, but also providing guidance as to the basics of the ‘business of music.’ When a time came to choose between a regular profession and music as a profession, I chose to pursue academics because of relocation to the US, and at that time, before the internet era, I was not sure what would be the prospects for a full time musician in such a niche area as Carnatic music. Thus continued the straddling between the two horses of profession and passion with an additional element of family life thrown in. This trifecta of time commitments continues till date. I feel very privileged that I get to do all three that I want to do, at my pace with a supporting family by my side.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a classically trained vocalist in the tradition of South Indian Classic Music or Carnatic Music. Similar to Western Classical Music, Carnatic Music is deeply rooted in theory, has a very unique voice culture technique and has a vast repertoire. It is highly creative with ample room for improvisation while having enough scope for delivering classically composed pieces. My lineage is known for its lyrical purity, voice culture, strong rhythm and handling improvisation in rare melodies. I am proud of what I received in terms of training, that I am able to polish by adding my own interpretations to what I learnt by listening and adopting techniques from masters to improve my own performance and teaching techniques. I am forever indebted to my teachers for teaching me how to fish and what waters to fish in, so I have fresh material ready to polish my craft. This is a unique ability that I am very blessed to have received and I believe this is what sets my music apart.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lessons I have learnt along my journey, is to be honest with yourself, always be willing to learn, respect the tradition that has been carefully handed over and be humble.
While the above lessons keep me grounded, I have also learnt that each person’s journey is unique with its own twists and turns. Respecting fellow musicians for what they have achieved given their circumstances while maintaining my own self worth is a very important lesson that I have learnt in my own journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.surabhimusicacademy.org | www.savithanamuduri.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surabhimusicacademy | https://www.instagram.com/savithanamuduri
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CXQvRkcyH/ | https://www.facebook.com/share/1BSyU4gikR/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@surabhimusicacademy ; https://youtube.com/@savithanamuduri
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@surabhi.music.aca ; https://www.tiktok.com/@savithanamuduri
