oscar bombay jayasrri

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-touchy-notes/article4456177.ece

From Mumbai sabhas to Dolby Theatre, it has been a long journey indeed for Bombay Jayashri.

Clad in traditional red silk sari and sporting a sweet smile, Bombay Jayashri walked the red carpet elegantly. She was the first ever Carnatic musician to have been nominated for the Oscar, and participate in the Academy Award ceremony at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2013. Late M.S. Subbulakshmi was indeed the first Carnatic musician to storm the international stage, when she sang at the United Nations very many summers ago. From Mumbai sabhas to Dolby Theatre, it has been a long journey indeed for Bombay Jayashri.

Proud moment

“Kanne Kannmaniye”, the title song sung by her for “Life of Pi”, won her the Oscar nomination. The film went on to win four Oscars this year. However, Adele pipped Jayashri at the post to win Oscar for her original song for “Skyfall”. Oscar may have eluded her. But Jayashri proved a fitting cultural ambassador for India at the award ceremony. The presence of a Carnatic vocalist in the midst of glitz and glamour that surrounded the Oscar extravaganza was indeed a tribute to Jayashri's laissez-faire approach to assimilation and dissemination of music. It was a moment of pride for India, and more so for Carnatic music fraternity.

One would have felt lot happier if Oscar had come to Jayashri. But then, winning an Oscar nomination in itself is quite an extraordinary achievement. This Carnatic musician has done it. Kudos to Bombay Jayashri.

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