I was shaken to hear that maami was no more. There was no mention in any paper here, or I missed them totally. A friend's friend told me.

My first meeting with Maami was in 1988. I had heard the Karaikudi bani on tapes. It made the veena come alive to me. No other bani, however sweet, however technically more superior or closer to the vocal style had impressed me as much. The clear, affirmative style of plucking and fingering remain unique to the Karaikudi bani.

When we shifted to Madras, I did a little bit of research and came up with Maami's address. Walking distance from our own Warren Road flat. Amma and I set out one evening and walked up the stairs to the first floor flat. Maami was taking classes. She asked me to play a piece. I don't even remember what I played or how I got through it. She said, ok, she would teach me. My first lesson was the Hamsadhwani piece "Vinayaka". The initial classes were all about the fingering. I remember my finger would simply get cut when I tried out the famous Kariakudi "sprutam".

After a couple of years, she gently told me that I had to go on and move forward, get some kutcheris. I was all set in life, just learning. But I did get into a Tamil Iyal Isai Manram competition and won the first place. That awarded me 4 music concerts.
After that, I had to move out of town to Bangalore. My learning was sadly disrupted.

I still cherish the veena I went to purchase with Rajeswari Maami. We made a trip to Saptaswara Musicals in Luz street, Mylapore. She sat down on the floor of the shop and tried out some veenas. She picked the one I still use. Her handwriting is in my music book. She used to pen some of the kritis I was to learn.

I never had an opportunity to return and look her up though I caught her programmes on TV. I kept promising myself a trip soon.

Thanks maami. For all the great music and for being kind enough to share it with me. You might not have known it, and it might not have mattered to you, but I remain deeply grateful and affectionate. Your thoughts and music will stay with me.