I used to listen to all stalwarts on radio, and thus understand every nuance well. So, once I started playing for them, I became one with them. That was why all the great musicians like Chembai, Semmangudi, GNB etc used to be very happy if I played the violin for them. I was also happy, of course!

Do you remember how you felt when you first played the violin for Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar?

A happy Chembai blessed me and said, you play like Malaikottai Govinda Swamy! You will be great one day.' Malaikottai Govinda Swamy was the ultimate as far as violin was concerned in those days. That was periya aasirvadam! So, comparing me with him was beyond my wildest dreams. Not everyone would get blessed by Chembai like that. I feel I was honoured to receive such blessings from a great man like Chembai swami.

Were you tense or scared when you had to first accompany Chembai?

I had listened to him on the radio a lot and I knew every minute detail of his singing by heart. So, I was not tense or scared at all. I was only 16 or 17 then. Chembai was very happy with the way I played and he blessed me.