Interview with M D Pallavi by RJ Chitra on RadioGirmit

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M D Pallavi, popularly known as Pallavi Arun, is undoubtedly not a stranger to any kannada TV watcher. This girl next door, having amazing energy levels is not only a popular singer, but a good actor and script writer, who once wanted to be a teacher or a librarian.

Pallavi started her training in Hindustani classical music in Goa and learning Marathi songs. Pt. Ram Rao Naik of Kirana Gharana, were the 1st one to nurture her passion for Hindustani classical music. In Later years she continued Hindustani classical training in Bangalore under Pt. Rajbhau Sontakke-disciple of revered musicologist Pt. Omkarnath Thakur of the Gwalior Gharana. She learnt Sugama Sangeetha under Late Mysore Ananthaswamy and from his son Late Sri Raju Ananthaswamy.

Now experimenting with various forms of music, Pallavi says, “Classical is a pure form of music, I agree. But it’s a pure form because it has been defined. Of course I want to do classical; but there have to be other forms of music that have to be pure as well. And I would like to experiment with them and try to get to a point where what I sing will sound pure. Your intentions have to be pure. What you sing has to have meaning”

Pallavi has shared stage with legendary singer S. P. B, K. J.Yesudas, C Ashwath, Ranjit Barot, Keith Peters, Taufiq Qureshi, Amit Heri, Vikram Ghosh, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangaash, and Rajesh Vaidya. Apart from giving solo performances, she had participated in jugalbandhi and dual recitals along with Vidushi Kanchana Sriranjini and Manasi Prasad.

She’s lent her voice to the projects of illustrious music directors like Vijay Bhaskar, Hamsalekha, Manohar, Mysore Ananthaswamy, and C. Ashwath. She’s also scored music for a number of theater productions like Tughlaq, Moodha Idu Nambike, Miss Sevanthi, Mooka Bali and Maanishada.

On theater side, she had acted in plays like Hamlet, Maanishaadha, Fire and Rain, Balidaana, My Fair Lady and The Good Woman of Schezuan.

Pallavi who had done serial Mussanje, got a big break when TV serial director T. N. Seetharam came across this girl at her grandfather’s drama school, during his mega serial Maayamruga. After Mayamruga she acted in Garva, which brought her the Arya Bhatta Best Acterss Award. Stumble, the Indian-English movie, which won the National Award in the Best English Film category for the year 2003, Pallavi played the role of Madhu Rao. She had also acted in Gulabi Talkies, released in 2008.

Nowadays, she is actively teaching theater and music at Bimba, her home-run institution for kids, has co-founded organization ‘Samudra’ with husband Arun Kumar.

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