Indian-origin artist Jayshree Ramachandran has been commended for her service to society this year, with an inclusion on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
The prodigiously talented singer from Mumbai has been made Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her illustrious service and contribution to the performing arts through Indian music and dance.
In an interview with SBS Punjabi, Ms Ramachandran, who was initiated into music by her late mother, said she is delighted to have received the honour.
“It has been an extremely fulfilling journey and I feel such recognitions only boost us to work harder towards achieving our goals,” an overwhelmed Ms Ramachandran told SBS Punjabi.
Armed with her talent, Ms Ramachandran arrived in Australia along with her young family in 1989.
Jayshree Ramachandran Source: Supplied
Once settled in Melbourne, she took up a job in the billing section of a telecommunication service provider alongside teaching music and dance to a handful of students to find her bearings in the new world.
“It was a very humble beginning. I remember juggling between work, my passion for music and two young kids in a new country where Indian migrants were numbered and not as established as they are today,” said Ms Ramachandran.
“It was a conscious decision to choose music over a professional career and to be honest, I have no regrets,” she added.
Gradually, Ms Ramachandran took to teaching music full time and eventually her efforts culminated into a full-fledged school ‘Sapthaswara’, an institution that today boasts of imparting Carnatic music lessons to over 100 students annually.
“Over 350 students have passed out from our school over the years, out of which many have gone on to pursue music at mainstream levels,” she added.
Happy at what she has been able to achieve, the distinguished artist has managed to contribute enormously to the Australian cultural scene through her school and performances at fundraisers and community events.
“From here onwards, I’d like to continue with my efforts to promote and teach classical music in the hope that if not many, at least a few of young learners would continue to keep the connection alive even if it means they aren’t pursuing it as a career,” said Ms Ramachandran.
