Interview with Dr. Lalita Vaitheeswaran
Could you talk about chanting the Lalitha Sahasranamam in a rare raaga?
During my childhood days, I started learning music from a Kanadiga teacher Mrs Subbaramu. I went to Geetam and Varnam level, but then there was the pressure of studies. The teacher was a Sai Bhakt and soon we started learning Lalitha Sahasranamam from her. She used to teach us for free. Not a penny she had taken from us, not for teaching music, not for teaching Lalitha Sahasranamam.
We did not know then the raaga was a rare one. The raaga was in Raagamalika based on different ragams.
The rare raaga in which you are singing the Lalitha Sahasranama sounds like a Carnatic music version of the chant with longer aas, ees and longer vowels in general?
Our teacher who taught us the Lalitha Saharanamam was also a Carnatic Music teacher but she said she had learnt it from her teacher who was from learnt it from her teacher who was from Neyveli. At that time, we did not know what other versions of the Lalitha Saharanamam were available.
Could you talk about the importance of mantras such as the Lalitha Sahasranamam?
Personally, I have experienced this – whether you are unwell physically or we feel low, chanting such raagas or chanting such shlokas really helps. The whole thousand names of Lalitha (in the Sahasranama) that I have learnt are in a very rare raaga, not available on YouTube.
I was born and brought up in the Central part of India, in Madhya Pradesh. We are actually from Kerala. We wanted to be connected to our roots like the rest of the family in Kerala so we would listen to Suprabhatams, Iyyapan Songs, Iyyapan Bhajans etc. We were living in the North and did not want to let go of our roots. That made us want to follow the tradition. Our culture is based on shlokas, rangolis etc.
Could you talk about the importance of the Sanskrit language?
Sanskrit is the mother of all languages, the Hindi we speak, Tamil, Malayalam etc. It is regarded by all as the mother language. Every word is spoken clearly. In Sanskrit, the importance lies in pronunciation. The pronunciation is Sanskrit is very precise.
I can relate to the Sanskrit sounds as a Temple bells which are divine sounds. You feel the divine is in you.
Could you talk about the Aham Bhramasmi of Vedanta?
Aham Bhramasmi means the divinity is within. Everyone is connected to the supreme being. The divinity is within everyone.
Could you talk about the Indian tradition of worshipping the Mother Goddess?
Indian tradition always celebrates the female – Lalitha, Durga and Kali. The central part of the Indian tradition has been Devi. And Devi is celebrated in many forms. Durga, Kali, Lalitha, all triumph over demons. The triumph is of righteousness over wrong doings. I have always worshipped Devi.
As a gynaecologist, could you talk about sound and healing?
Listening to or chanting of shlokas are specially good for the expectant mothers.
But, for sound and healing, the chant need not be only in Sanskrit. It is not necessary that you should be able to chant a shloka. Even singing and hearing light music sounds helps in healing.
Could you talk about the centrality of Sattva in the Indian culture?
Sattva along with Tamas and Rajas is a part of the elements of Prakriti. The goal is to move towards Sattva.
Any parting thoughts?
The more we move closer to nature, the easier our lives will be.
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