Whenever Srimathumita is present Kirtan Sessions in Melbourne, where she is currently based, usually breaks down into a song or chant while doing yoga. Posture, “The people there are shocked. They are amazed about the possibilities,” she says.
Has worked on hit songs like AR Rahman Slumdog Millionaire), Harris Jayaraj (from ‘Mudhal Mudhalai’) Lessa Lessa) and Yuvan Shankar (from ‘Kana Kanum’) 7G Rainbow Colony), the popular singer moved to Australia in 2018.
Far away from the events of Chennai’s film music scene, Srimathumita started engaging with two things close to her heart: yoga and music. And the result is his latest spiritual Indo-world music album, I am,
“Teaching yoga to adults and children in Australia exposed me to the specific methods that global students like and the types of music that accompanies the practice,” says Srimathumitha.
The eight-track album, available on major music platforms, was created in his home studio. “It is my endeavor to showcase the rich musical and spiritual spirit of India with authentic and culturally informed views. Lately, I’ve been tired of the many cover versions of songs…how long can singers keep reinterpreting old classics? with I amI think I’ve discovered my original sound and what I want to share with the world.”
She is talking of “Indianness” in her approach. “Our rich melody can bring a lot of texture to music that you can listen to while meditating.” Apart from using ragas like Saraswati, Sarmati and Revathi I amHe has also used instruments like Veena, Mridangam and Konokol in the album. “As an Indian living in Australia, it is my responsibility to maintain that cultural identity,” says the singer, who conducted a workshop on Nada Yoga at the Bass Coast Yoga Festival in Australia in May, among other similar views, I look forward to creating a global soundscape inspired by Indian music.”
Srimathumita Kosai with the members of Nagaran Tholisai troupe. photo credit: special arrangement
Srimathumitha is using the time in Chennai to record a Tamil track titled ChidambaramIn which she will collaborate with Kosai Nagaran Tholisai Karuviagam, a music center that promotes traditional Tamil instruments like kombu, udukkai and kudamuzha.
Once back in Australia, she will fix the musical work on a webseries titled Mother toungue, directed by Indonesian-Australian filmmaker Katrina Graham. “Part of this series will be a lullaby called ‘Soleram’, for which he has written English lyrics, but the tune is set in the raga Dwijwanti, which is one of my favorite ragas.”
Does she remember the 2000s, when she was an active film singer? “This came at a time when stalwarts like SP Balasubramaniam and MS Viswanathan were judging me on a talent show! I am fortunate to have worked with some of the best composers in the industry at a time when there was a lot of demand for playback singers.