"A South Indian artiste giving the impression of a 'natural' in Hindustani Music, displaying effortless proficiency", is how a music critic describes Mrs. Sowmiya Madanagopal.
Hindustani Music, apart from the melody, is also considered as a healing therapy, which is the reason why many Carnatic music aspirants also learn the Hindustani style for 'voice culturing'. Hindustani singers are a rare clan to find in Chennai, and Sowmiya is definitely one of those rare findings.

Well, Music runs in her lineage. She is the niece of GNB (G.N.Balasubramaniam, Carnatic musician- a legend during his lifetime).

With the aim of popularising Hindustani music in the south, she runs a school for Music called 'SUNAD'. The main course here is Hindustani music, training is also given in Carnatic Music and instruments like the Tabla and Mridangam. They have trained over 200 students and currently have about 60 students. Sowmiya also offers 'paying guest' accommodation to students (both Indian and foreign) who are keen on pursuing studies of music at their school.

She has given concerts in almost all the Sabhas in Chennai, especially during the music season. She is also an artiste on the All India Radio.

Sowmiya Madanagopal has a tremendous flair for creativity and innovation. So theatre groups and dancers approach her for composing music and also for singing. Noteworthy among these are 'Alaripu'- a theatre group from Delhi, 'Koothupattarai' from Chennai and so on. She has also sung Meera Bhajans for 'Madras Players' of the British Council. 'Carnatica' requested her for a summer camp on 'voice training' in the year 2001. She scored the background music for the documentary film 'Ganga', made by Shri Vishwanathan, an artist from Cholamandalam, and won the coveted Grand Prix at the Cinema du Real, at the International festival of ethnographical films. She has also released three cassettes of devotional music. She trained the 'Isai Mazhalai' (kids troupe) of Abaswaram Ramji; Madhumita who was one among those students, is now a playback singer in Tamil Cinema. Many of her music students have now become music composers themselves. Here's an interview with this Hindustani nightingale from the south of India :

* What made you take up Hindustani Music when Carnatic is more in vogue here?
I attended a concert by Pandit Ravi Shankar that held me spellbound. I just could not turn my heart away from the melody of that music that kept ringing in my ears. That propelled me to a rapturous voyage into Hindustani music and I have never stopped ever since. Of course, special mention needs to be made of my husband's continued support.

* Tell us something about your voyage…
I was trained by Pandit Vishambar Nath Sharma of the 'Kirana Gharana' and Pandit Mohammed Hussain Khan (recommended by Pandit.Bhimsen Joshi) of the 'Gwalior Gharana'. Within three years, I performed her inaugural concert. One of my most treasured memories is of Padmashree Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer (who was amongthe audience) remarking that 'this young artiste has great potential and a bright future'. I qualified with a distinction as 'Sangeet Bhushan' from the Pracheen Kala Kendra of Chandigarh.

* What are your most treasured moments during these several years of music?
(a look of nostalgia creeps into her eyes) My Veena master Sri. Pitchumani used to appreciate me for my grasping ability and perfection of delivery - he used to address me 'ant' for my speed and perseverance. I sang Pandit Mohammed Hussain Khan's own composition in Raag Bageshri and he was so pleased with my bhava, that he called his other students and made me perform again, saying, 'See how a South Indian girl is able to capture the right bhava'. These are appreciations that I will treasure forever. Again, Sri M.R. Goutham, the then Vice Chancellor of Benares University appreciated my keen interest for learning.

The concerts I have given in Music Academy are one of the most treasured phases of my life - Music Academy is like a mother's home for me - the place where I grew up.

I presented a concert during a recent 10 days festival held at Maxmuller Bhavan, Chennai.
The director Mr. Schintler 10 days festival remarked 'this music directly touches my heart'.

I consider myself blessed to have sung in front of Mahaans Sri Siva Shankar Baba, Mysore Sri Ganapathi Satchinanada Swamigal, at Sri Panrimalai Swamigal ashram, and Sri Mel Maruvathoor Swamigal.

* About your future plans?
I wish to promote Hindustani Music in the South in a larger way, with children as the main target. Sri Siva Shankar Baba has kindly agreed to let me teach music at His school - the SushilHari International School at Kelambakkam. I am open to the concept of Fusion Music too, this being the present trend.

Sowmiya is gifted with a captivating voice, which has an electrifying range and glides smoothly in the swift 'thaan' movements. One cannot help noticing the silent excitement in her eyes as she embarks on a singing session. She sings both classical Hindustani as well as semi-classical, like Tumri, Ghazals and Bhajans.

Not to stop with vocal Music! Sowmiya also plays the Veena. And!! She is a graduate in B.A (Painting); she is a fine painter too and has held one-person shows of her paintings in Chennai. She was also a champion athlete in school, having won many prizes in high jump at the state level.

A multifaceted personality indeed!