News & Notes
Tribute to Neela Ramgopal

We were fortunate to be under Neela Mami's tutelage for over a decade, after having shifted to Bangalore. I remember vividly our first meeting with Mami. She asked us to sing and was happy with the rendition that she was magnanimous enough to accept us in her fold. Classes and in general, the atmosphere was different from what we had experienced earlier. A welcoming teacher, there was a positive aura that was more than ready to part with all she had.
She was always well dressed, mostly in a silk saree, neatly pressed, with matching accessories, initially one would assume she would be heading out after class, maybe to a function or a concert. One day we asked her where she was off to in such a beautiful attire and she said, "Would you go to the office in casual wear? This is my office! Also the weather in Bangalore is so conducive to dressing up, so I enjoy it".
Mami was well versed in Tamil, English and Kannada and could deliver elaborate speeches in each language with utmost chastity and command.
How can I not mention Ramgopal Mama! Ever smiling and friendly, Mama and my husband would have endless conversations around vehicles, furniture and any topic under the sun, while he would wait for my class to end. Who better than Mama to inspire him to be a supportive spouse, for Mama used to accompany Neela Mami and be part of her every important day!
Post class conversations are probably what we will miss the most. Mami's music was steeped in traditional and classical values and she was so progressive in her thoughts. It was amazing how she would remember every small detail and pick up conversation from where we left off the last time.
It is not just music or art that one learns from a guru. She showed us how to face challenges and how to rise like a phoenix when life lands you at cross roads, how to stay focused, aim for perfection, how to network, how to present oneself well, why it is important to keep learning, and how there is no ego in art, all of this by living with such rich values and principles.
I saw the same values reflected in each of her students, the Neelambari family, that are ever willing to share recordings and notations. This again was such a welcome experience for us and we are eternally grateful to Mami for all these associations.
Losing our gurus (Neela Mami and C Lalitha) in such quick succession is indeed very painful to accept but we hope they will continue to be our guiding lights , showing us the way forward.
Jyothsna & Radhika