Her father commuted for two hours from Srikakulam to Visakhapatnam to help her pursue music every week. Bhavaraju Lakshmi Surya Teja,a Carnatic singer from Andhra Pradesh,has lived up to her father’s expectations and fulfilled his dreams. She will perform in a Carnatic extravaganza organised by the Poona Sangeetha Sabha at the Sawai Gandharva Smarak on April 15. Lakshmi will be accompanied by violinist P Gyandev and mridangam player P Jayadev.

She began her music lessons at the age of seven and has come a long way since then. I would participate in several competitions in my hometown and someone suggested that I should enroll in the classes of Pantula Rama. That was 10 years back, she says. Lakshmi has been under the guidance of the vocals and violin maestro ever since. The 23-year-old MBA student is now an All India Radio B High Grade artist and an exponent in Carnatic music. Is it difficult for the young artist to pursue academics and studies together? I have seen my father work hard for my music and my brother’s studies. I would never want to let him down. Music is my passion and it is necessary to have an academic qualification to survive in today’s society, she reasons. However,she feels that music will always have an edge over any other passion in her life.

Lakshmi’s hard work and dedication to the art form has brought her accolades from far and wide. She has bagged numerous awards including the Upcoming Young Musician Award by Sri Kurella Someswara Rao Trust in 2011,scholarship from the Young Artists Scheme by the Ministry of Culture,Government of India,and several gold medals in state level competitions. Though her kitty is full with awards,she still has the zeal of a first-time performer in her. With my never-die attitude,I always strive for the best and work towards it. Awards act as an added bonus to my hard work, shares Lakshmi. She is looking forward to visiting the city of culture and tradition, as she fondly addresses Pune. Pune is a hub of culture,art and all things traditional. I always look up to the audience here. They understand Carnatic music and are keen listeners, she says.

(Teja will perform in a Carnatic extravaganza organised by the Poona Sangeetha Sabha at the Sawai Gandharva Smarak on April 15,at 5.30 pm)