Meditation & yoga, mantra for season

Chennai: Sweets and socialisation are out, meditation and mindfulness are in. For vocalist Aruna Sairam, quietening the mind and resting the body are an essential part of her preparation for the December music season. "During Margazhi, I avoid social functions as otherwise I end up talking more and taxing my vocal chords. And eating out may also impact my health," says Sairam, who also follows a healthy diet, avoiding fried or cold food.
For Carnatic musicians, Margazhi is the most gruelling season.Performing to large, expectant audiences day after day can take a toll. That’s why every singer comes up with a way to deal with stress. Many who sing their hearts out on stage often revel in the sound of silence off it. On the day of a performance, Sairam chooses to take it easy. "I talk less, hardly make conversation at home, and don’t step out. My mind needs to be quiet as I save all my energy so that I can pour it out on stage," she says.
Sairam starts her day with pranayama and meditation. "If you have to face a huge number of people and perform at a certain level, you have to be centred and in touch with yourself, and doing deep breathing and meditation helps," she says. The usual 45-minute walk is also cut down to 20 minutes during the season.
Sudha Ragunathan admits the season is taxing. "You need to be in your own space," she says, adding that books and movies too are out. "I shut off from everything, so that all the space is completely filled with music. It helps to organise the many aspects of a concert like preparing a dozen kritis for each one, ensuring you don’t repeat," says Ragunathan, who has 13 concerts lined up this season.
Yoga and meditation are a must as they calm you down and make you more confident. "I don’t overeat, avoid fried or spicy food as it can cause acid reflux," says Ragunathan.
For vocalist O S Arun, pranayama keeps him going. "It refreshes your mind and gives you positive energy," says Arun, who also walks regularly. "I have downloaded an app on my phone that monitors the distance covered and calories burned and it encourages me to do more," he says.
Rithvik Raja says his routine has changed over the years. "Till a couple of years ago, my concert days would be filled with activity as it would help take my mind off the pressure of the performance in the evening," says the 28-year-old. "During the music season, expectations are higher than usual, and as you climb the ladder you feel more of a sense of responsibility," he says, adding that now he is more careful about what he does on the day of the concert.
"I have noticed that staying silent and taking rest makes a difference on how I sound on stage," says Raja, who is also regular in the gym. "I also love jogging and cycling," he adds.
While others follow strict regimens, Sanjay Subrahmanyan, who describes himself as a "gym rat" on his Instagram profile, says he does nothing special during the season. "I go regularly to the gym and that sees me through the season too," he says.