Playing the right notes

Bejawada Yasoda has carved her name with becoming first woman Nadaswaram (Playing Sannai) player, which is generally a male-dominated profession. Yasoda, who works in Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swami Devasthanam, Simhachalam, said that she was inspired by her father guru Bejawda Balasubrahmanyam, who taught Nadaswaram in Vizianagaram Music College. Yasoda started playing the instrument since childhood and with sheer passion and hard work she emerged as Nadaswara Vidwanmani in Andhra Pradesh.

Yasoda informed that when she showed an interest, at age of 10, in playing Nadaswaram, her father told her that one should a lot of patience and stamina to play the instrument. With a strong desire and determination, she started practising Nadaswaram from morning till evening. At the age of 17, she earned a diploma in Nadaswaram from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. Shattering the stereotypes of men playing at functions, Yasoda performed at many weddings and spiritual programmes and awed the audience.

Tyagaraja Swami ‘Pancha Ratnalu’ and “Nee Leela Padeda Deva” from ‘Muripinche Muvvalu’ are the favourites of Yasoda. Yasoda has performed in West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and almost in all the districts in Andhra Pradesh.

Yasoda married A Satyam, who is a student of her father. She was blessed with twins last month. “My father shaped me as a Nadaswaram player and my husband is supporting me as a friend. I am lucky that we both are working in the Endowment Department. Satyam is presently working in Srikanakamalakshmi Devasthanam,” she shared.

“Girls should be fearless and should achieve their dreams and goals. It is good that more number of girls learning Nadaswaram and one needs to have a lot of patience as six years of practice needed to get a diploma in Nadaswaram,” Yasoda signed off.