With seven decades of blissful musical experience
behind her, this octogenarian and Carnatic vocalist has been reckoned as one of
the best musicians of Kerala. Fascinated by the nightingale of Carnatic music,
the legendary M.S. Subbulakshmi, it was just a matter of time for Ms.
Parassala Ponnammal to fine-tune her musical prowess.
Born in 1924, her initiation into music came, when she started learning
music from Mr. Paramu Pillai Bhagavathar. She was also good in learning
Sanskrit, but due to the fortunate intervention of a music teacher in the form
of Mr. Ramaswamy Bhagavathar, the young Ponnammal was able to win the confidence
of her parents to pursue music as her main subject of interest.
It was a turning point of sorts, when the young Ponnammal started training
under Mr. Vaidyanatha Iyer, and during the course of her training, she won a
gold medal in a music competition, held to mark the birthday celebration of the
former Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal. Following the event,
Ponnammal's exceptional talent caught the attention of one of the judges of that
musical competition, Mr. Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar, who eventually
convinced Ponnammal's father to allow her to join the Swathi Thirunal Music
Academy, which was started around that time. At the music academy, Ms. Ponnammal
joined for the three-year Gayika course. In 1942, she passed the course with
distinction and later she became the first woman to pass the Ganabhooshanam
course from the music academy. In between her studies, at the age of 18, she
joined the Cotton Hill Girls' High School as teacher.
In 1952, Ms. Ponnammal joined the Swathi Thirunal Music Academy as teacher
and became the fist woman to do so. It was in 1970; Ms. Ponnammal was appointed
the Principal of the RLV College of Music and Institute of Fine Arts. She served
there, till she retired in 1980. Ms. Ponnammal used to sing for the All India
Radio, Thiruvananthapuram, since its inception and has been an A grade artiste
for the last 50 years.
Ms. Parassala Ponnammal's outstanding classical vocal renditions include
Guruvayur Puresa Suprabhatham, Trisivapuresa Suprabhatahm, Ulsava Prabhandam,
Navarathri Kriti, Meenambika Sthothram, and also compositions of Mr. Irayamman
Thampi and Mr. K. C. Kesava Pillai.
Awards and recognitions bestowed on Ms. Ponnammal underline the exemplary
musical acumen of Ms. Parassala Ponammal and among them include the title of
Gayakaratnam (Singing Jewel) conferred on her in 1965 by princess Karthika
Thirunal of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. She is also the recipient of
State Academy Award and Fellowship.
Ms. Ponnammal made history recently when she recently performed at the
famed Navarathri Mandapam in Thiruvananthapuram, thus becoming the first woman
to do so in the 177-year-old history of the annually held navarathri music
festival. The music festival was started at the initiative of the erstwhile
Travancore royal family and is considered by musicians all over India as an
honour to perform in the event.
Even at the age of 82, Ms. Parassala Ponnammal has not lost even an iota
of her singing capabilities, as was evident during her recent performance at the
Navarathri Mandapam. She may be one of the few personalities in the genre of
classical musicians in Kerala, who could be looked up on and emulated by the
younger generation in understanding the value and significance of devotion and
utmost commitment to one's subject of interest.