Singing

Singing has always been a prominent aspect of my life. It is my favorite hobby, my stress reliever, and the best self-entertainer. When no one is home, I sing so much that I won’t be able to talk properly for the next few days, but it’s always worth it.

My father is a big fan of music director Ilayaraja from India and always sings his songs and he always wanted to me sing Tamil songs. My parents realized that I have a good voice and My parents enrolled me in Carnatic classical music, and I continued classes since I was five. Carnatic singing is a form of classical music that originated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is characterized by its use of complex melodies and improvisation, and it is typically accompanied by instruments such as the violin, mridangam (a type of drum), and ghatam (a clay pot). Carnatic music is based on a system of ragas, which are melodic patterns that provide the basis for a composition, and talas, which are rhythmic patterns that provide the framework for the composition. Carnatic singers are known for their skill in rendering intricate and ornate melodies, as well as their ability to improvise within the framework of a raga and a tala. Carnatic singing is an important part of South Indian culture, and it is often performed at temples, cultural festivals, and other religious and cultural events. Many people in South India learn Carnatic music from a young age, and it is considered a respected and revered art form.
	While learning Carnatic, I also started showing attention to the English songs I’d hear in school. Then I started learning ukulele on my own and started singing with ukulele.
I started singing both English and Tamil Songs whereever I get an opputunity to showcase my singing skill.
	When I go to India and meet relatives and people there, they usually look at me a little differently because I grew up (in the U.S.), So they’re not sure how much I understand of the culture. But if they hear my singing, it’s usually a great ice breaker because they’re like, ‘Oh, she knows so much about (our) culture,’.