She sang at Carnegie Hall in the year 1977 for the first time, and gave a full-fledged concert. She was, perhaps, the earliest among artistes to make Carnatic music popular across the world. One cannot forget M.S. Subbulakshmi’s dedicated service to the cause of Carnatic music. She acquired an iconic status among her peers during her life time. For many a younger generation even today, MS remains a role model.

The MS era coincided with greats such as M.L. Vasanthakumari, D.K. Pattammal, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Madurai Mani Iyer et al. They excelled each other, and made a mark. Today, they stand as role models for many younger artistes of the modern day. With the advancement of information technology and growing interest in Indian classical music, access to information on Carnatic music is available by the click of a mouse. Indeed, we have come a long way from the Gurugulavasam days. Like Sruthi (Vedas), Carnatic music was learnt in the Guru-Shisya parampara.

It isn’t easy to master this art without a deep sense of dedication and devotion. Modern day artistes appear to have understood this, and, accordingly, have even readjusted their styles to align themselves with the compulsions, nay demands, of the contemporary period. Sudha Ragunathan , Bombay Jayashri, Sowmya, T.M. Krishna, Sanjay, Nithyashree, Aruna Sayeeram, Ranjani-Gayatri and many others present their concerts in a lively manner season after season without letting fatigue to set in. The important thing is to remain relevant, and be an inspirational musician.

Bombay Jayashri , for instance, has imbibed enormous creativity from her guru late Lalgudi Jayaraman. She tries to present her December season concerts with inspiring creativity, and in an energetic way. Apart from giving regular performances, she also tries her hand in composing music. She had composed music for dance-dramas such as Silapadikaram. She had also presented a unique programme titled “Listening to Life”, which drew quite an audience. She was also a part of the initial editions of ``Svanubhava,’’ a special workshop for aspiring young musicians. She has now gone on to conduct a children’s choir programme by training young ones to sing Carnatic music of various composers.

A distinguishing feature of Bombay Jayashri the artiste is her rendering style which is `impacting’.

And, she gives it an elevation by associating herself with assorted programmes for a host of good causes.

Her style of singing bears a trade mark. An Oscar award nominee, Bombay Jayashri is slated to sing at the Carneigie Hall and also at San Jose in the U.S. in October, courtesy a Good Samaritan trust called Bhoomija. MS sang there in 1977. Bombay Jayashri’s concert will be in Stern Auditorium/ Perelmen Stage. Bhoomija is a nascent organization engaged in promoting performing arts within and outside India. ``We will showcase the best of music and dance from India and abroad, facilitate collaborations, work in the area of training, and provide scholarships for youngsters to train/ get exposure to art forms abroad,’’ says Gayathri Krishna, Managing Trustee of Bhoomija.