“It is a privilege to perform to the audiences overseas,” opines Suryaprakash who has travelled widely as an ambassador of music.

His American and Canadian tours in 1997 & 2006 were very successful and he was travelling from coast to coast. Suryaprakash nostalgically recalls his concert in mid-air while travelling from Frankfurt to New York. He and his co-artists were practising a Pallavi (1st line of a song). The hostess quizzically looked at them and asked if he was a vocalist and what he was singing. Suryaprakash took pride in explaining our rich cultural heritage. This kickstarted the whole “event”. The crew requested Surya to enlighten the passengers so that they could also get some knowledge of Carnatic music. He readily accepted and sang ‘Krishna Nee Begane’ from the cockpit. He had to explain the meaning of the song so that they could understand, listen and appreciate.

It is a cliché to say that music transcends barrier to time, caste or creed. The passengers thoroughly enjoyed his performance and honoured him with a standing ovation. “What more does an artiste require,” declares Surya. “Recognition from the ‘ audience’, passengers, made me really fly in seventh heaven,” states Surya.

'Katradhu Tamizh' Ram's next Diwali in Suburbs Rajini Still In A Dilemma! அஜீத் பேட்டி? ராம் இயக்கத்தில் சேரன்? கமல் பாராட்டிய டைட்டில்்

It is very hectic for artistes to travel from place to place. Since America is a land of distances, sometimes they have to directly proceed to the auditorium from the airport. They would have absolutely no time even to have a wash.

During one of his American tours, his concert was re-scheduled as he was detained at Buffalo airport. For reasons best known to the airport authorities, he was asked to stay back at the airport. He had to sit there for hours together joblessly and missed the connecting flight. The outcome is very obvious. His concert had to be rescheduled and he performed on another day.

Despite his travel ordeal, he carved a niche for himself by his exemplary performance. His vintage classics - legendary melodies of titans of yesteryear – M K Thyagaraja Bagavathar, P U Chinnappa, M L Vasanthakumari - is a notable contribution which he has released in the form of CD. Enthusiasts of film music of ‘Bhagavathar era’ would surely be lured by this. 

Please visit his website: www.rsuryaprakash.com

Mira