The book launch of Maestro Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman “ An Incurable Romantic” written by Lakshmi Devnath will be followed by a violin duet concert by the Lalgudi siblings, Sri G.J.R. Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi on September 29th at the Wong auditorium at MIT at the Padmashri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman Memorial Concert

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When I look back and reflect on my journey, I feel I am truly blessed. Many of my great experiences and much of my success is because I was at the right place, at the right time.”

These are the opening lines from the Maestro Sri Lalgudi Jayaram  on his own biography, “An Incurable Romantic’  written by Lakshmi Devnath. The foreword to the book is written by Pandit Ravi Shankar who speaks fondly of his association with Sri Lalgudi and calls him an ‘incomparable genius’.

This fascinating  biography took almost five years to complete but the end product ‘The Incurable Romantic’ makes for an extraordinary engaging reading. Lakshmi Devnath the author  provides great insights into the life and times and profound experiences of the maestro, and the incredible passion he had for Carnatic music that was passed through generations. 

The Lalgudis influence worldwide is legendary. A few years ago, I met a student of Lalgudi who said to me, “His family, especially his father Sri Gopala Iyer was a master who taught every musical instrument besides vocal music. Lalgudi Jayaraman’s music is about his extraordinary talent and divine gift, but it is also about an exemplary life of devotion to art, dedication, hard work and relentless pursuit of excellence. He, in fact, is a study in how a single individual elevated the violin music to such transcendence and in the process inspiring great number of young musicians to flower forth.”

In the book, Sri Lalgudi’s humility stands out when he talks about the numerable awards he receives and comments.” Above all, the most cherished award that any artiste could possibly enjoy is the affection that the listening public bestows. There is no greater accomplishment that one could hope for.” It is evident that he enjoyed that privilege extensively. His poignancy after the death of his father, Sri Gopala Iyer, is reflected in the words “The nobleman who gave me this life, taught me the arts, and elevated me to great heights, which every minute of his life blessed me and prayed to Muruga is no more.”

One particular chapter deals with Lalgudi’s first trip abroad on an invitation to the Edinburgh International festival. The year is 1965 and the mridanga vidwan Palghat Mani Iyer and his son Rajamani visit Lalgudi’s home to persuade him to travel. At the airport, all the glitterati of the music world turn up: from M.L.Vasanthakumari, Papa Venkatramiah,Sadasivam,Musiri Subramania Iyer and other sabha stalwarts to wish them a successful tour . It is a memorable moment. The author recreates the atmosphere of genuine appreciation of these remarkable individual talents banding together for their fellow musician.

Other chapters gives us a glimpse of how music permeated the household and the heart, how the town of Lalgudi was given a significant place and how he performed  benefit concerts for philanthropic causes. Devnath offers credit in plenty to the support of his wife Rajam and their relationship that was always of mutual affection and high regard.

The book is interspersed with some great personal photographs, reproduction of his journal entries that make for some fascinating reading both in Tamil and English. It comes with a unique CD of Lalgudi’s recordings. Whether you are layman or a music lover, an aficionado or a student of the art form this is a biography not be missed!We learn about Lalgudi’s own compositions in various Raagas, his well-known Tillanas  and his enduring love for the instrument which is aptly summed up in his own words “ I want to be a violinist in my future births”

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The book launch of Maestro Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman “ An Incurable Romantic” written by Lakshmi Devnath will be followed by a violin duet concert by the Lalgudi siblings, Sri G.J.R. Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi on September 29th at the Wong auditorium at MIT at the Padmashri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman Memorial Concert .

Music and Dance exponent and author Smt. Sujatha Vijayaraghavan who is a close friend of the Lalgudi family and was the consultant for many of the music projects as well as one of the four people who reviewed the manuscript will talk about Sri Lalgudi  and release the book. The first copy will be received by the founder of MITHAS Prof. George Ruckert. Well known disciples of Sri Lalgudi such as Bombay Jayashri and Vishaka Hari have sent messages to be read on this special occasion.

‘The Incurable Romantic” will be available at the September 29^th concert or you can contact Durga Krishnan at ‘dkrishnan1015@gmail.com

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