As soon as her phone began buzzing on the eve of Republic Day, Carnatic vocalist Bombay Jayashri Ramnath browsed news channels. “Some friends said my name was announced in the Padma awards, but I was in complete disbelief. I called up my mother, she couldn’t verify either. During that call I could hear a few more beeps of other people trying to call me, that’s when I realised it must be true,” the 56-year-old recalls.

“I had to call my mother first, because I’ve been living their (my parents’) dream,” says Jayashri, whose fandom spans generations. “As shlokas move me, even a romantic and cosy Zara Zara (Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein; 2001) can. I was born in a house that woke up to my father’s riyaaz at 4 am, until he passed away, and went to bed with the music of my parents’ students. Also, at 7.30 am Sangeet Sarita played on All India Radio; it talked about all genres in one raga. I spent my childhood practising Lag Ja Gale (Woh Kaun Thi?; 1964) and other film music with as much dedication as ragas,” she adds.

Who among music composers wished her first? “Shankar Mahadevan, we’ve grown up together. I remember how he used to steal 25paise from his mumma, I’d get it from my parents, we used to have sukha bhel after our music classes in Matunga (Mumbai),” she quips.

Despite global recognition, including an Oscar nomination for Pi’s Lullaby in Life Of Pi (2012), Jayashri feels honoured by the Padma Shri. “Every award is special as it bookmarks a space in your life. I think this award means a huge thing. It’s a big deal for people who have loved me for 40 years,” concludes the artiste.