Her foundation in the world of music was laid at a very young age and it was her mother Smt. Choodamani who groomed her, before the onus to nurture her music fell upon Vidwan Sri. B.V. Lakshman.

Sudha initially wanted to become a doctor, but the thought of performing dissections so repelled her that she gave up the idea. “It wasn’t that I was a bad student. My dissections were always neat and my diagrams were perfect, but I always found myself fainting at the sight of blood!”

She proved her prowess both in academics and in music and now, stood at a juncture where two roads diverged - there was ‘something’ that was needed to push her onto the road less traveled by.

Enter Padmavibushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari, hailed by many as a musical genius, a doyen of Carnatic music. In 1977, Sudha won a Central Government scholarship that gave her the opportunity to come under the wings of this master of a great parampara. From this point on; there was no turning back. Sudha had the golden opportunity to provide vocal support to MLV for about a decade.

Of MLV, (as she was affectionately called by all) Sudha often said “Music was only one of the few things she taught me. She taught me how to live life to its fullest.” Sudha, with a touch of nostalgia, vividly recalls how while singing an Ashtapathi in ragamalika, there would come a sangathi in Yaman Kalyani at a higher octave. Spontaneously, MLV would stop and allow Sudha to take over. “She was such a generous person on stage….in some sense it also reflected how she was in life as well.” From 1990, Sudha’s rise was phenomenal, and following her Guru’s demise, she has been considered as MLV’s vaarisu.

Sudha is a top ranking artiste for Prasar Bharati, Chennai and performs at important events of All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Music had now taken centre stage but for Sudha it would not be at the cost of her academics. She holds an M.A. in Economics. Being such a vivacious, versatile and highly talented individual, it’s no surprise that Sudha won the award- Outstanding Student of Ethiraj College, for three years in succession- an achievement which for a long time remained unmatched. She was the Treasurer and later the Vice President of the Students Union and won the prestigious ‘Service to the College’ medal.

Sudha’s rise to prominence has not been an easy task.” Being a recognized musician requires tremendous amount of hard work. One good performance alone is not enough and there is a lot of practice one has to go through. It usually takes an artist around seven to ten years to become well known and the financial returns might be mediocre….one has to be determined enough to stick through it all.”

Sudha carved a niche for herself in the Carnatic School of singing, thanks to her voice that packed 'swara' and 'shakti'. Her distinctly stunning vocal style and effortless singing made her the most sought after artiste for several prestigious concerts. As the brightest singing star on the horizon, her voice mesmerized 'rasikas' across the country and beyond the Indian shores.

Sudha is a top ranking artiste of the All India Radio and the Doordharshan, besides being the artiste in demand by leading recording companies like AVM, INRECO, VANI and AMUTHAM. With her crystal clear and almost divine voice, Sudha reached out to the discerning music lovers across the world, widening musical communications across the cultural borders.

Today, Sudha Ragunathan is known for her beautiful vocal tapestries, soaring solos and unusual timbres. Her creative expression in Carnatic music has no par. And, her music is known to flow straight from the heart, dripping with classical divinity.

Her authentic renditions of 'krithis' and refined elaborations of 'ragas', the élan with which she breezes through the 'kalpana swaras', her command over the octaves and her supremely confident stage presence combined with unstated humility has given her an enviable pre-eminence in the world of Carnatic music. Call it her 'Guru Dakshina' to her mentor, Dr.M.L.Vasantha Kumari.

In the world of voices, can you hear my song? “The enthralling, enchanting voice of Sudha and her entrancing harmonies have graced several 'kutcheries' and celebrations. She was the auspicious voice at the first live broadcast of the National Program Series of concerts hosted at Chennai.

Sudha also has the unique honor of rendering 'Vande Mataram' at the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi on 27th January 2000 to mark the completion of 50 years of the free Indian Republic.

Even today, Sudha has to work tremendously hard to keep up the reputation that she has built. And now, with a husband, and two children, there never seems to be enough time. “It’s Stress with a capital ‘S’, she sighs”. “I wouldn’t have come this far if it wasn’t for my family; they’ve co-operated tremendously.”

Music has given Sudha plenty in life and she plans to give back to it some in her own special way. Apart from teaching or starting a music school, Sudha plans to release a series of cassettes and CDs in collaboration with other senior artistes that bring out the therapeutic effect of Carnatic music.

She is also the Managing Trustee of ‘Samudhaaya Foundation”, started in 1999, with a “cause” in mind. To play her role in giving back to society what she has gained – immense love, recognition, appreciation and standing in the hearts of the people who enjoy and appreciate her music and always come back for more!

R.L. Stevenson said “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept were toiling upwards in the night.” Sudha’s life has been no different and with every mountain that she has scaled, she has always set her sights on higher peaks.  

Awards & Titles

Sudha Ragunathan was conferred The Rajiv Gandhi Moopanar Award along with nine others, for eminence in the field of music, in Chennai on August 23, 2007.Union Minister of State for Statistics Sri.G K Vasan conferred the awards.Cardiologist Dr. Cherian, Actor Ms.Manorama, Poet Sri. Pa Vijay, Educationist & Madras Christian College Principal Ms.Annamma Philip, Mridangam Maestro Sri. K.Sivaraman, Orator Ms.Barathi Baskar, Film Director Sri. Rajkiran, Educationist & Hindustan Aeronautical College Principal Varghese and Social Worker and Woman Leader Ms.S. Fathima Muzaffer were other recipients of the Award.

The Government of India announced the Padma Sri award to be given to Sudha Ragunathan in the field of Carnatic music for 2004, on January 26th 2004. She received the Padma Sri from the president of India, A.P.J.Abdul Kalam on 30th June 2004.

Kalaimamani the highest award conferred by the Tamilnadu Government (India), given to outstanding artistes – 1993

Sudha was the proud recipient of VIRTUOSO AWARDS 2005. Best carnatic vocalist on August19, 2005.

Sudha Ragunathan had the honour of being named a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW in appreciation of her tangible and significant contribution to the society by the Rotary Club of Madras to coincide with the 75th year ‘Charter Day’ celebrations on July 19th 2004.

The Rotary Club of Madras presented the ‘Award of Excellence’ to Smt.Sudha Ragunathan on 19 July 2004 honouring her talent and outstanding accomplishments.

The Southern India Cinematographers Association announced Ms.Sudha Ragunathan as the Best Female Playback Singer in Tamil for the movie ‘IVAN’ and awarded the SICA Awards for her achievement.

The title ISAI ARASI was conferred on Sudha by Sri Ram Samaj, Chennai on April 23, 2004.

Sudha was the recipient of 2003 ‘WISDOM Star of India Award and the title of SANGEETA RATNA for her exemplary service to promote music worldwide. It was given by the magazine WISDOM on 13/12/2003.

KALASAGARAM Secunderabad conferred on Sudha the title of ‘Sangeetha Kalasagram’ on 29 November 2003.

Sudha Ragunathan was conferred the title ‘ARJUNA’ for achievements as a performer, and as a mark of personal distinction in the propagation of Carnatic Music on 15 December 2003 by the Margazhi Mahotsavam at Chennai.

A certificate and gold coin was awarded to Sangeetha Vidwamsini Sudha Ragunathan for lifetime contribution to the propagation classical music on the occasion of the Peetarohana Swarna Jayanthi Mahotsav celebrations of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal on 20 January 2004 at Chennai.

Sangeetha Choodamani in 1997 from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.

Sangeetha Kala Sarathy from Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai from His Holiness Shri Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi Mutt.

Bharatha Sangeetha Bhusana from Sri Bharatalaya, Chennai.

Bharat Jyothi in 1998 from The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York.

Sangeeta Saraswathi from The Mahasannidanam fo Sringeri.

Gana Kuyil from Valmiki Manram, Chennai.

‘Isai Peroli’ and VST Award for excellence from Karthik Fine Arts, Chennai.

MLV Platinum Jubilee Award 2003 from Dr. MLV Cultural Trust, Chennai.

Rashtriya Ekta Award at the 57th birth anniversary celebrations of Rajiv Gandhi in recognition of achievements and contribution to fine arts.

Outstanding National Citizen Award 2001 from The National Citizen’s Guild, New Delhi.

Gem of India Award 2001 at the All India Achiever’s conference in the category of fine arts and culture.

Seva Ratna Award 2001 from The Centenarian Trust, Chennai.

Swara Raga Laya Ratna from Academy of Indian Music, Melbourne.

Isai Chelvam in 2000 from Muthamizh Peravai from Kalaingar Dr.M.Karunanidhi.

Sivan Isai Selvi from Papanasam Sivan Rasika Sangam.

Rasika Kala Ratna from Rasikapriya, Sydney.

Gana Sudha Amrithavarshini from Sree Kanchi Kamakotti Peetam.

Thennisai Thilakam from The Federation Tamil Sangams of North America and the Tamil Nadu Foundation, USA.

Ugaadi Puraskar from Telugu Academy.

Youth Excellence Award from Sri Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Trust.

Woman of Golden Substance 1998-1999 from Rotary Club, Chennai.

Sangeeta Kala Sironmani from Nungabakkam Cultural Academy Trust, Chennai.

Sudha received the title of ‘Nadha Kalanidhi’ from Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi in February, 2005 for her meritorious achievement in Carnatic Music.

Padma Sarangapani Cultural Academy honoured Sudha with the ‘Padma Sadhana’ award on 24th December 2005.

The Tamil Brahmin Association (THAMBRAAS) At Chennai presented Sudha Ragunathan with the Award of Excellence at the Silver Jubilee of State Conference on 25/12/2005.

The Rotary Club of Trichirapalli Fort, Trichy presented Sudha with the VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Award on 8th March, 2006.

‘Vani Kala Sudhakara’ from the Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha on December 9, 2005.

‘Sangeetha Mamani’ from the Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj, K.K.Nagar, Chennai

‘Nadha Ratnakala’ from the Universal Fine Arts, on 21st December 2005.

‘Nadha Kavidha’ on December 26 2005, under the aegis of the music journal, ‘Nadha Brahmam’.

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