Prabha Khaitan Foundation organized a conversation between Bombay Jayashri and Kaushiki Chakraborty, as a part of their initiative named Sur aur Saaz. They were welcomed to the conversation by Ehsaas Woman Shubh Singhvi.

Bombay Jayashri has made a name for herself as a musician for over three decades now. She has the rare privilege of being the first Carnatic classical performer in the Opera House in Durban and the Russian Opera House in Helsinki, Finland. Drawing from this exposure Jayashri has been collaborating extensively with Western classical music groups in creating what could truly be described as world music, which opens up new vistas of music appreciation.

The conversation started with Chakraborty asking Jayashri what the reference of Bombay in her name was even though she was born in Kolkata. Jayashri stated that in the Southern part of India there is a tradition of associating musicians with a place, to describe the personality of the music and the musician. In a review, once she was referred to as ‘Bombay Jayashri’ and hence the name stuck.

Her journey as a singer had changed when she started playing the Veena, it becomes a visual journey that aided her in harmonizing the notes in songs. She advocates that every vocalist must learn to play an instrument that will help in internalizing the notes.

Jayashri grew up in a house where there was music all throughout the day. Both her parents were music teachers and there were students coming since the start of the day. Her mornings started with somebody practicing music and her days would end in the same way. She then later learned from Balamani Amma, who was one of the finest poets of India. After moving to Chennai, she learned from Lalgudi Jayaraman, who was a violinist, vocalist, and composer. Lalgudi Jayaraman impacted her the most and his teachings have been a part of her even after many years.

She exclaimed that whatever she sang reflected her personality and the music she had heard while growing up.

According to Jayashri, there is always a difference in way of teaching music in each generation. The only constant thing in the continuity of music through the generations is that it is different and is ever-changing. There are times when she feels burdened and scared by the responsibility of being a mother and a teacher, she thinks of her motto, ‘Music will guide the way’, which helps her in releasing some of the burdens.

When talking about the collaborations and the work that she chooses, Jayashri said that it was not her that chose the work, she was lucky that it came her way.

The conversation ended with Ehsaas Woman, Vandana Singh thanking Jayashri and Kaushiki for a musical conversation on the life that Jayashri has led.