Breaking the patriarchal barriers, 28-year-old Poralla Lakshmi, a widow, has carved out a niche for herself in the art of playing nadaswaram with a remarkable grit and passion.
Hailing from Vallabhi, a village known as a hub for nadaswaram artistes, in Mudigonda mandal, Lakshmi has been eking out a living by playing nadaswaram as a member of a six-member troupe at weddings and temple rituals.
She revived her childhood hobby of playing nadaswaram and took it up as her full-time occupation following the sudden death of her husband, himself a Dolu artiste, a few years ago.
In a short span, Lakshmi became the most sought-after member of the six-member troupe of artistes led by her father D. Seshaiah, a senior Dolu player.
My three daughters Lakshmi, Nagalakshmi and Nageshwari had a penchant for playing nadaswaram since their childhood, recalls Mr. Seshaiah.
Fighting all odds, they learnt nadaswaram under the guidance of local exponents in the art, he says, adding that his eldest daughter, Lakshmi, nurtured her talent with unwavering passion.
Stressing on tremendous lung power that is needed to play nadaswaram, he says, “Lakshmi earned wide appreciation from art aficionados and connoisseurs by virtue of her impressive nadaswaram performance in Carnatic music and Bhakta Ramadasu kirtanas.”
She has a great reverence for nadaswaram and if encouraged, she would promote the traditional art among younger generation, he asserts.
“I consider nadaswaram as a sacred instrument as it is mainly used during auspicious occasions like weddings and religious ceremonies,” says Lakshmi, who has won several awards in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for her excellence in playing nadaswaram.
“I owe my skills to the rigorous training given by nadaswaram gurus Sheik Yakub Saheb and Nagaraju, besides my father, who constantly encouraged me to pursue my favourite art. Nadaswaram, an integral part of our glorious cultural heritage, needs to be promoted and preserved for posterity,” she insists.