Durga Krishnan is a graduate of Carnatic Music College of Madras, India. She holds the degree “Sangeetha Vidwan” – Scholar of Music and is also a certified teacher of Carnatic Music. She is also one of the primary disciples (student) of the legendary veena player the late Dr. Chittibabu. She has accompanied him on several of his CDs and LPs. She is also a composer who has composed, arranged, directed and played music for several productions such as Sakunthalam, Ramayanam, Dasavatharam and Festivals of India by the dancer teachers in the local area.

Describe your work as a music teacher and educator?

I wear three different hats when it comes to my work...Educator, Organizer and Performer and out of these three hats being the educator is the one that is closest to my heart since teachers do more than simply teaching the subject and influence the students directly or indirectly in many ways. I teach both veena which is my primary passion and a limited amount of vocal to students, do lecture demonstrations and work shops at universities, museums and other places and write articles on music and related subjects. As part of three major organizations such as MITHAS, LearnQuest Academy and Chinmaya Mission, Boston I organize concerts, work shops and lecture demonstrations by top artists from India as well as from our own talented artists from the Boston area. I perform full length concerts either solo or accompanied by students and be part of the orchestra for dance programs. I also enjoy dabbling with composing and have composed music for several local dance productions.)

 Why did you choose to pursue this particular career path?

Actually this career path was chosen for me by my father. He is now 94 years old. But even when I was teenager he always taught me and my two sisters that we should rely on our own abilities and stand on our own  feet without depending on others and insisted that we should all learn a trade that would give us the ability. He loves music and especially veena and since I am the oldest of his five children he chose this for me. Though I was not the most perfect cooperating child/student, he made me stick with it and not a day goes by now that I don't thank him from the bottom of my heart for his decision.)

What are the personal /environmental attributes that have helped you succeed in your career?

Wow! Where do I begin? It is impossible to pin point one or two people....They say it takes a village to raise a child but I think the same goes true for anyone. There are so many friends and well wishers in my life who have helped me throughout and are still helping me. My husband for one, is forever encouraging me and supporting me to reach the next level and not complaining about spending a lot of time teaching and attending meetings etc .My children are always encouraging and supporting me and also do not hesitate to critic me when it is necessary. Living in a country where we can do whatever it is regardless of age or any other type of restrictions also helps a great deal.

What challenges if any have you faced in your career path?

The challenges I faced are the same that all working women face....balancing the career and the family life especially when the kids were very young. But with the cooperation of everyone and also by choosing to slowly increasing the work load as the kids got older it somehow worked out.

What advice would you give women trying to follow your career path

Perseverance, hard work, hours and hours of practice and the constant learning. I consider myself to be an eternal student since there is so much out there for me to learn and master. Prioritize the tasks and keep working at them)

What lasting impact do you expect from your work?

 Carnatic Music is as well known in main stream America as Hindustani Music and there are many reasons for that. If my work brings awareness of this wonderful form of music to even a few main stream population here in Boston and other places, I would consider it a success. I hope with my veena music included in the E Book released by the Museum of Fine Arts it will reach more people outside the Boston area. I also believe by teaching to many children, if I can prolong the life of this divine instrument and art form in general and pass it on to the next generation, then I have done something useful with my life.

 What is the secret to your maintaining a work -life balance?

There is no secret at all....it is the support, encouragement and cooperation of everyone in the family that makes it is easier to do what I do.

What is your approach to parenting? Any special advice you have for women on parenting of sons and daughters?

 I don't know if I am qualified to answer this question....my husband and I taught our son daughter our values, gave them the kind of education they wanted and pretty much left it up to them to make the right decisions and thankfully, they have done just that so far in their lives. Giving them the opportunity to think for themselves, analyze the situations and make the right decisions by themselves and make sure they are good productive human being is what worked for us

What activities outside of work are you involved in ? (Charity, arts , community service etc)

Organizing concerts, teaching work shops and other activities by visiting artists from India, performing for fund raiser events to raise money and bring awareness to many causes are some of the things I do regularly. I strongly believe that all of us should give something back to the community that supports and gives us the opportunity to succeed in our lives.

 What do you do for fun?

Learn new pieces to play and also read

Who are the People who you admire/ inspired /emulate

My Gurus and their dedication and influence to music. Several of my friends in spite of having  very demanding and stressful careers take time to do tireless public service....Dr. Dwarakanath and his wife Dr. Shashikala Nath are two such friends that I can show as examples and I am totally humbled by their contributions to the community.

 What kind of support have you valued most from your husband

His constant encouragement to my music and career and never complaining if I am gone long hours to meetings etc

 What support from you has your husband valued the most?

I can't speak for himself, but I know he appreciates that I never complained when he was traveling constantly on his job even when our children were very young and I didn't have any family other family members here to help me with them.

What is your personal philosophy of living life?

Treat people the way I wanted to be treated. There is a super power that is beyond our understanding and knowledge exists and that power dictates what happens in our lives. So we can never take credit for our success. As they say in Tamil "Yellam Avan Seyal"....it is all his/her doing. Basically I want to live my life in a way that when I die people do not come to my funeral just to make sure I am really dead.)

What was your happiest moment in life

Without a question, the birth of my children)

When there were low points in your life  what advice did you value the most to pull through?

As I said earlier, put your trust in the super power, accept life as it comes and do your duties without any hesitation is the best advice I ever received. There is a beautiful composition by Papanasam Sivan about life....Ramanai Bajithal... In the anupallavi the composer says 'happiness is mixed with sadness in life, without the scorching heat one would not appreciate the coolness of the shade' and I love that philosophy.

Do you have a fitness routine that you would like to share?

I go to the gym 4 days a week and do aerobics and weight lifting. I absolutely love walking and do that a couple of times a week with my head phone on

Do you have a beauty routine  that you would like to share?

I think that in anybody the beauty you see on the outside comes from the peaceful and satisfied mind and heart we develop. The warmth that people feel when they are in our company is the radiance that faces reflect.

-Do you have favorite book/author.

I like all kind of books....fiction, non fiction, biographies and books that reflect the culture of different communities)

Do you have a favorite song/ musician?

 I have several, my Gurus, Dr. Chittibabu and Padmabhushan Sri. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and a few others that I am not going to name to avoid getting in trouble.

Do you like to cook? What is your favorite  dish to make?

 Of course I cook and I love it.  All kind of South Indian dishes are my favorite.

One fun fact about you

Self deprecating humor

Any special words of advice for women?  Any piece of information you wish you had known growing up?

 My parents were actually pretty good about equality between boys and girls...we were 3 girls and 2 boys in our family and we all got the same treatment. Anything a man can do so can the women plus they can carry and deliver a baby that men cannot do. So we are very special.

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