KNOW YOUR MEMBER –CS SHANKAR VENKATRAMAN, CHENNAI

Shankar Venkatraraman is a person with multi dimensional skills. He was blessed with writing the biographies of some great souls ; a friendly professional with great sense of humour. A brief interview with him....

1.Where did you do your schooling and college and what was your basic graduation? How did you start doing CS? 

 

I was born in Chennai (Madras then). Did my schooling at Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Luz, Mylapore (1968-1982) and B.Com from Loyola College, Chennai (1982-85). It was Mr. V.Chandramouli, Company Secretary of Madras Refineries Limited (now CPCL), my mentor, guide and well-wisher who initiated me into the arena of ICSI.

 

2. Tell us about your corporate exposure as CS.

 

Initially I underwent Management Training at MRL, followed by Asst. Company Secretary post with Sri Parvathy Hi-Tech Industries Limited. Then had a brief stint as Assistant Company Secretary with Sri Maruthi Marine Industries Limited (a unit of the Rayalaseema group of companies) before moving on to Shriram Chits Tamilnadu Private Limited as the Company Secretary. From February 2014 onwards, am a Company Secretary in practice. 

  

3. How did you start writing books about famous personalities? Which was the first book in this series?

 

The famous musician-musicologist "Sangita Kalanidhi" Dr. S.Ramanathan and "Daasanjali" M.O.Srinivasan were the two wizards who sowed the seed of documentation in me and initiated me into the world of compiling biographies.

Probably the lineage and music embedded in the genes must have kindled and ignited the spark within me prompting to write books.

 

"Thirai Ulagil Isaik Kalaignargal"(Musicians in the Filmworld) was my first book that was released in  January 2002.    

 4. Tell us about the books that you have written so far.

There are more than 10 publications: 

The special ones are:

1. “Thirai Ulagil Isaik Kalaignargal”.

Serialised first in the Tamil music-dance magazine “Sarigamapadhani”, this project consists of a brief life history of more than 100 musicians.  

2. “Semmangudi Oru Sagaabdham”

Biography of Semmangudi Sreenivasa Iyer as narrated by Sri “Semmangudi Maama” himself from November 2002 upto first week of October 2003.

3. “Engum Nirai Naadha Brahmam”

“Bharat Rathna” M.S.Subbulakshmi’ s biography compiled  under the able guidance of Shri T.Sadasivam and M.S. Amma during frequent visits to their home.

Other books include  “Upanyasa Chakravarthy- Anantharama Deekshithar,  Sabhaa Naayagar” , LALGUDI-80, COLOSSUS OF CARNATIC MUSIC, “Sangeetha Saagaram---Semmangudi,  Harikatha Chakravarthy, “Naadagame Ulagam”

Ongoing projects-----Biography of “Gaana Kalaa Dhara” Madurai Mani Iyer captioned “Eppo Varuvaaro?” Also the full life history of Director K.Subrahmanyam is in progress.

 

5. How was the experience of writing M.S. Subbulakshmi Madam's biography?

 

The experience was something that cannot be explained in words. It had a touch of divinity. Almost 99% of the interview  was with her life companion Shri T.Sadasivam who used to describe her musical journey with interesting anecdotes. The role of M.S. Subbulakshmi was limited to acknowledging her husband's anecdotes with a divine smile.

 

6. And your experience with the legendary Sri Semmangudi Srinivasan??

 

It was Diwali throughout – filled with anecdotes, wit and humour with tonnes of information. It was like a mega project. Commenced in November 2002 and concluded in October 2003. The Doyen Sri Semangudi Srinivasa Iyer was a treasure trove with an amazing memory power. The Sahitya Academy awardee writer Asokamithran liked this biography of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer very much.

 

7. Please share us information about your family. 

 

My wife Dr R.A.Lukshmi was an Associate Professor, Math Department, Meenakshi College for Women, Chennai.  My daughter S.Jayashree has joined B.Sc. Psychology at Madras School of Social Studies, Egmore, Chennai, after her schooling at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan.

 

8. Your experience of managing children and home as a single parent in the last few years.

 

Yes... an unprecedented tsunami snatched away my spouse soon after she received her Doctorate in 2017... A massive cardiac arrest took her away from us orphaning not only my daughter, myself and other family members but hundreds of students of Meenakshi College. She passed away on 19th September 2017.... and within 18 months I lost my mother at the ripe age of 90. By God's grace was able to bring up my only daughter successfully... as a single parent with the able guidance of my in-laws.  

 

9.What are the projects that you are currently in?  

Musical journey of Dr M.L.Vasanthakumari and a short special centenary commemorative programme on Madurai Somasundaram... all for DD Chennai. 

Now you can call me a Company Secretary by profession and a chronicler by passion...!