Rukmini Ramani-Inspired By Sivan And Kapaleeswara

The Tamil month of Margazhi (mid-December to mid-January) is synonymous with bhakti and music when Andal’s Tiruppavai, ashtapadis and bhajanai resonate around temple tanks and in homes.

- Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam

A popular venue for the 5 am devotional congregation is around the Kapaleeswara Temple in Mylapore, Chennai. A set of devotees gather here religiously, every day of Margazhi, year after year for the bhajanai led by veteran musician Rukmini Ramani. This is a legacy handed down to her by her famous father, Papanasam Sivan, and she carries the mantle diligently. Sivan started conducting the bhajanai in 1934 and continued till his demise in 1973. Rukmini remembers going out on the streets for the bhajanai even as a five-year old; now she leads the group. The family carries the tradition forward to this day.

Artists usually have the genetic advantage of having inherited the art from their parents or ancestors up the family tree. However, it is not often that two successive generations achieve name and fame. A noteworthy example of father-and-daughter receiving recognition as musician-composer is that of Brahmasri Papanasam Sivan and his daughter Rukmini Ramani. Sivan, the famous composer, is popularly known as Tamizh Tyagayyar; and Rukmini is a well-known musician, teacher, lyricist, composer and organiser.