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MUSIC enthusiasts are in for a treat as popular Indian playback singer Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi is set to serenade the audience tomorrow with her soulful singing.
The 43-year-old visually impaired artist will perform the finale act, bringing the fourth edition of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) Indo-Bahrain Dance and Music Festival to an end. The event is being staged at the group’s premises in Segaiya.
The festival is being hosted in co-ordination with the Indian Embassy, support of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and in association with festival director and curator Soorya Krishnamoorthy, who is known for his role in promoting Indian classical arts globally.
The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam has announced a change in the performance schedule of the ongoing Indo-Bahrain Dance and Music Festival 2025, due to “unforeseen logistical reasons”.
Vocalist Kunnakudi M Balamuralikrishna will now perform this evening, while Indian playback singer Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi will perform tomorrow, said a statement yesterday.
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Ms Vijayalakshmi grew up listening to renowned Indian artists like Dr K J Yesudas, M Balamuralikrishna and M S Subbalakshmi.
She started performing at the tender age of seven, and some of her fondest memories include winning prizes for her talent at school – something that brings her joy even after all these years.
Having found her passion, she decided to pursue music formally.
Ms Vijayalakshmi during a past performance
“My parents recount that I used to reproduce their (the Indian artists she used to listen to) singing exactly at a very young age and decided that I should formally learn Carnatic music,” Ms Vijayalakshmi told the GDN.
“I was initiated into music by Dr Yesudas. It is the encouragement of my parents and the blessings of my gurus (teachers) that has helped me reach this far in my musical journey. I have learned from several old and young musicians and I am still learning from vocalists and instrumentalists,” she added.
Ms Vijayalakshmi will be presenting her Gayathri veena (a single-stringed musical instrument) renditions along with vocal Carnatic music.
“Gayathri veena was created by my co-brother as a toy instrument using just a plastic bottle. As a child, I used to play the seven notes on that toy instrument using a spoon. Gradually, I started playing most of the popular compositions using this instrument.
“A few years later, I was gifted the veena by one of my teachers. My father further modified it as a single-string instrument. I performed on this instrument in front of the late violinist Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan. He is the one who named this instrument ‘Gayathri Veena’,” said the songstress, who holds multiple records for playing the Gayathri veena non-stop for more than six hours.
“This is the first time I am going to present Carnatic music. As my passion is classical music, I am doubly happy to be able to perform it in Bahrain for which I am thankful to BKS and Soorya.
“I intend to perform two major ragas – Madhyamavati and Panthuvarali – as well as some lighter ragas and devotional songs,” said the nightingale, who has presented film songs during her previous performance in the kingdom.
Being visually challenged has never been an obstacle in her musical journey, said Ms Vijayalakshmi.
“Actually to me, the whole world opens up through music and I never felt any limitation in seeing the world, thanks to music.
“This festival is a well-conceived programme that has become a talking point among the musical enthusiasts even in India. This programme also creates an awareness about classical art forms especially for the younger generation that too in a foreign land. The festival also helps blend the art and culture of the two countries (India and Bahrain).”
l Meanwhile, Carnatic vocalist Kunnakudi M Balamuralikrishna will perform today, exhibiting his vibrant style and strong lineage in the Carnatic tradition at the festival, which is a grand celebration of culture.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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