Sudha Ragunathan

When she was 9 years old, Sudha Ragunathan began to study the classical Carnatic singing of southern India. Her great guru was Shrimati M.L. Vasanthakumari, who she accompanied in numerous concerts from 1978?1989, particularly in the US, Canada and Middle Eastern countries. Those years in which she joined the worldwide tours of the great singer were particularly significant for Sudha, who became familiar with all of the nuances of the unique style of a true master of Indian song. Today, Sudha is known as Vasanthakumari's finest student and has become famous in her own right in the world of Carnatic vocal music. Sudha Ragunathan today also enjoys great popularity in Western countries including France and the US, as well as in southern India and Sri Lanka.

While Sudha Ragunathan is an artist with roots deeply planted in tradition, at the same time she has great curiosity. She is very open to other musical cultures, as may be noted in her work together with Iranian musician Kaivan Samirani in a project that hosted musicians from diverse cultures.

In her Hindi art, Sudha Ragunathan is the embodiment of Shakti, the goddess of creativity. She describes her feelings thus:
"Only a female vocalist can experience the energy that motivates me to sing. Sometimes my entire being melts into the expressive words, to the point of tears. At other times, I am at one with the pulse of the universe and sing with great enthusiasm! I have even fallen into a divinely influenced trance. I can be filled with joy or feel that I am merely a means of expression. The life force and the energy of music have that powerful a hold upon me."