Social media is captivated by a striking sight—a woman draped in a silk sari, effortlessly playing the saxophone at a Bengaluru resto-bar. The viral clip, shared by X user @waabi_saabi, introduced many to the mesmerizing artistry of Subbalaxmi, one of India’s rare female saxophonists.
Subbalaxmi, who hails from a family of musicians in Mysuru, now resides in Bengaluru. Her grandfather, Rajappa, was a court musician in the Mysore kingdom, while her father, M R Sainath, is a renowned percussionist with All India Radio. Despite this legacy, her journey with the saxophone was met with skepticism.
Inspired by a performance she saw as a child, she defied norms to pursue the instrument, traditionally viewed as requiring immense physical strength. “My parents were shocked when I chose the saxophone, but I was determined,” she recalls. Under the guidance of Kadri Gopinath, she mastered the craft, later influencing her sister, Lavanya, to follow suit.
Subbalaxmi plays a range of styles, from Karnatik classical to jazz and pop. In 2023, she made history by securing a Guinness World Record for the longest saxophone-playing marathon—26 hours and 23 minutes.
She practices four hours daily and hopes more Indian women take up the saxophone. “Most of my students are men. I’d love to see more Indian girls embrace the instrument,” she says.
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