Sudha's voice of gold enthralls her listeners from all over the globe. There is tantalizing mystery behind that cherubic smile. Her deep relish for tradition and mystical old-world charm is supremely addictive. Her foundation in the world of music was laid at a very young age and it was her mother Smt. Choodamani who groomed her, after which she came under the tutelage of Vidwan Sri. B.V. Lakshman.
In 1977, Sudha won a Central Government scholarship that gave her the opportunity to come under the wings of Padmavibushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari, hailed by many as a musical genius, a doyen of Carnatic music. 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.
Her authentic renditions of 'krithis' and refined elaborations of 'ragas', the lan 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.
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