“eMy ambition is to bring change in the lives of fellow human beings through Sai,” says Deepika Thiagarajan. She is a native of Trichy and lives in Chennai. Born into the artistic heir of a musical family, Deepika has not been a reflection of the limelight, but has paved her own path and created a unique identity.
She is a Carnatic music and film playback singer and runs an exclusive band for women. Psychologically, he is also doing the work of improving mental health through music. Since talking to him…
“My father DL Thiagarajan is a film playback singer. Mother Latha is Bharatanatyam and painting artist. Trichy Loganathan, the first playback singer of the Tamil film world is my grandfather. Playback singers DL Maharajan and Deepan Chakraborty are our family relations. Thus in a family with a musical background. By birth, I naturally had a keen interest in music.
I have a master’s degree in music and a master’s degree in music, and am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in research. Apart from this, I also have a master’s degree in psychology.
My husband Vinay Nair is a consultant psychologist. Together we run a counseling center for psychological counseling and life coaching.
Who did you learn music from?
I first learned Sangeet from my maternal grandmother Saroja Srinivasan. After that, I learned from Srimushnam Raja Rao, Padma Chandilyan, Lakshmi Raghavan, Vasanth Peter, Ebenezer, Mohan Santhanam. Currently learning Carnatic Sangeet and Hindustani music.
Tell us about your experience in the music industry?
I have completed five grades in piano from Trinity College London and five grades in Western Classical through the ‘Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music’ examination board in England. My favorite things are singing, playing piano and guitar.
I have participated and sung in more than a thousand concerts. I have sung singles, promotional songs, serial opening songs and more than 200 devotional songs. As a film playback singer, I have worked with many famous music composers. I write and compose my own songs and post them on my YouTube channel. I have composed songs for government and private organizations.
How did you get involved in psychology?
I had chosen the subject ‘Music Therapy’ for my Master of Science degree. It was then that it seemed to us that music should be done as a service to improve the mental health of men, by using music as a tool to cheer up the minds of men. So, I studied psychology.
I participated in a research conducted at Madras University regarding the development of mentally challenged children. In this I learned how ‘music therapy’ works. I have participated in many workshops on improving the mood of not only children but also adults through music.
How did you come up with the idea to start an all-female music group?
Along with drummer Rinay Prasad and my friend Sterlin Nithya, a pianist, we formed an all-female band. Women are less likely to become composers. So we started this group as a first step towards increasing the participation of women in music making.
Through this we are conducting many music programs. The highlight is that apart from Tamil, we sing songs in five languages namely English, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. That’s why our group is getting welcome from fans.
Do you have a plan to take classes for underprivileged girls who want to learn music?
Music is an ocean. What I learned from it was the amount of sesame seeds. No matter who you give it to, musical knowledge will increase, not decrease. So, I am teaching music not only to girls but also to boys and youth for free and at low cost. I will continue to do so.
What awards and honors have you received?
For excellence in music I have been awarded the title of ‘Ariluk Kathir’. I was honored to score high marks in the Board Examination of the ‘Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music’. Received four awards for excellence in learning while studying psychology
I will I have won many prizes in school and college music competitions. I won the best female singer award.
What do you hope to do in the music industry in the future?
A lot of songs have to be composed. I want to compile and publish the songs that I have written and composed. Through ‘Music Therapy’, I hope to make a positive difference in the lives of at least a few people with my music. Nothing would make me happier than that.