They say- ‘Seeing Is Believing’ but when I saw the musical performance of Sairam Iyer during the recently concluded concert- Nostalgia, I almost did not believe what I was seeing. Here was a young, handsome guy who started off with a macho Rafi- number Tumne Mujhe Dekha and then coolly went on to perform dulcet Lata- solos like Baahon Mein Chale Aao and Saathi Re and yes, in between he also sang duets like Iss Mod Se and Ajhun Na Aaye-switching effortlessly from male to female singing in a flash. It was not the novelty part of a man singing a woman’s number that impressed me. It was the perfection of tonal quality and execution of subtle nuances that most singers can only dream of. It was a sterling performance that stood out amongst many superb performances from much more celebrated, top-billed artists.

As I met up with him- first backstage and the next day at his hotel room, Sairam turned out to be a total music- buff and no wonder, within no time, the conversation flowed. As an ardent admirer and researcher of Indian popular music, I was amazed by the dedication and maturity of this young artist, who has taken real pains to learn some of finest and rarest songs from the past. During the course of our chat, time and again, he would break into some really difficult-to-sing Lata- songs showing off the subtleties which most female- singers of today won’t even to bother to try!

Here are the excerpts from the interview.

It started quite naturally in childhood when I had this sweet, lady- like voice. I still remember the rapturous applause I got when as an eight year old boy, I sang Lata-ji’s Satyam Shivam Sundaram in Shanmukhanand Hall at a Bhavan’s College annual function. From that moment on, I just kept on performing at various musical programs, winning praises and prizes.

The difficult part came when I grew up and my voice started maturing into a manly one. For a few days, I was caught in a ‘No Man’s Land’. I was neither able to do justice to either-male or female songs. The detractors started saying negative things and that spurred me on. With hours of practice, I could not only get my female voice back but I could sing male songs also well. By a strange quirk of fate, again it was a Bhavan’s College annual function at Shanmukhanand Hall when I first sang a duet Kaate Nahi Katate Yeh Din Yeh Raat - in both male and female voices. I would say this rare talent is a God’s gift to me.

I feel more at ease when singing female songs. The effort is just at the vocal cords but once the falsetto- technique is mastered then it is not a big deal. In fact, male songs require far more effort and energy.

My family has always encouraged me in my artistic pursuit. My father K.V.S. Mani was a talented singer, dancer and actor and even my brothers used to sing well.

Till I entered college, I had not learnt classical music but then I decided it was high time. I did diplomas in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music and Light Vocal Music. Late music maestro Pt. Ramesh Nadkarni was one of my gurus and he told me, "You have got a special gift. Don’t worry about what your critics say, you harness your talent and you will go far." I have always carried those words in my heart.

I would say the melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has been my greatest Guru, even though I have just met her fleetingly and haven’t even had a chance to have a single musical discussion with her. I have listened to her<