Dr. SAK Durga

[Gamakam]

Just came to know from a friend that Dr. SAK Durga passed away. I have known her for more than 8 years and she was a great source of guidance in my research.

Having learnt from greats such as Madurai Mani Iyer, Maharapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Ramnad Krishnan, Balamuralikrishna, T.Viswanathan, her width in depth in theoretical and practical aspects of carnatic music was hardly surprising. What was touching was humbleness despite all her greatness.

As a voice culture expert, I was lucky to gather her analysis on voices great carnatic vocalists of the past and the present. The other favorite topic of our discussions was Madurai Mani Iyer.

I vividly remember a couple of stunning lecdems that she gave inn the past few years. One on South Easy Asian music (Japanese, Vietnamese) and the other on Folk music's contribution in expansion of traditional carnatic ragas.

I have recorded a few of our conversations. I do hope I can write them as a long interview.

RIP Dr. Durga.

[mahavishnu]

Sincere condolences.

[rajeshnat]

Condolences . Her lecdems were always were well presented

[CRama]

I have benefitted from a few of her Lec Dems. May her soul RIP.

[rshankar]

Sincere condolences to her family. May her soul RIP!

[Gamakam]

I was thinking of an incident involving Dr. Durga last evening:

It was after lec dem on South East Asian music at the academy. The audio that she wanted to play just refused to open in the computer at the academy. After a few trials she decided to sing them herself. I met her and congratulated on her ability to sing other forms of music with effortless ease.

She look at me and said. "Musicologist na paada varaadhu'nu nenaichuntiya", with an unmistakable twinkle in her eye.

[keerthi]

A rare scholar - gracious even in disagreement. One of few people I have seen who discussed the need for rigorous methods and methodology in (descriptive) music research.

I have fond memories of the excellent punnAgavarAli padam she sang, and the Paraz gitam of Shyama shastry that she taught me in her house near the Sanskrit college, while her cat refused to budge from my lap.

We had exchanged goodbyes with a promise to discuss The Tamil tradition's mAnji, navaroj and saindhavi the next time.It probably wasn't meant to be.

[thanjavooran]

My sincere condolences. RIP

[vijisubra]

I have had a few interactions with her and remember her as a strong yet gentle person. Very helpful and friendly, she lived with about a million cats! She loved them all and was very indulgent. A noteworthy musicologist, recognised in the west too. RIP