Homemakers are the fulcrum of the society. They work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This was why they are called ” Grihalakshmi,” for they enrich the family and bring prosperity to it. K. Lalitha Bai (1928-1999) was one such multifaceted homemakers who are cherished and remembered by their near and dear ones even today.

Lalitha Bai was born in Salem, to Parvathavardhini Thayar and Setty S.N. Padmanabhan, along with three siblings. Her father, Padmanabhan, was a scholarly businessman whose textile business took him to different parts of the pre-Independence undivided India. Lalitha Bai learned Carnatic music from Doraiswamy Iyengar, of the Sishya Parampara of Thyagayya. Later on, she learned Veena from the famous Ranganatha Bhagavathar. She was married off to the son of the jeweller P.A. Raju Chettiar, at a very young age, in 1942.

On moving into her husband’s household, Lalitha Bai learned a lot under the tutelage of her mother-in-law, Rajalakshmi Ammal, and co-sister, Ranganayaki Ammal, in the company of her own co-sisters Indrani Viswanathan, Saraswathi Ragunathan, and Shantha Damodaran. The vegetarian household worked for almost 18 hours a day and the women of the family were involved in every facet of work. The family members were used to several days of prayers, fasting, and abstinence all along, and at times, things tended to get physically taxing too. In fact, it was this aspect that enriched them. In spite of being a busy mother and a homemaker, Lalitha Bai pursued her interest in music. She continued to learn music from several teachers all her life. She learned a number of Keertanas from her Veena guru, Ranganatha Bhagavathar, whenever she stayed at Salem, during summer holidays, and during childbirths and recuperations breaks.

A self-taught singer, Lalitha Bhai used to listen to artistes like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Musiri Subramania Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, Veena Balachander, and Chittu Babu, on her gramophone and practise during her leisure hours.

Later on, Lalitha Bai learned a number of compositions like ‘Ashtapadhi’ and ‘Soundarya Lahari’ from Veda Krishnaswamy, in more than 100 Ragams. She used to sing while playing the veena in her pooja room every evening. Songs like ‘Viruboni,’ ‘Vatapi Ganapatim,’ ‘Nagumomu,’ and the compositions of Muthuswamy Dikshithar which were influenced by band music, were played by her effortlessly.

Lalitha Bai was also an excellent cook, along with being skilled at stitching and knitting. She would often say, “A good homemaker should have a refined taste, backed by skills. One should know how to conduct oneself, and be a mother to everyone in the family. It’s important to maintain the confidence of the family members, along with their secrets. One should not spill the beans in an irresponsible manner. We should document all our essentials, be it family related or connected with culture.”

All her children, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren learned music under her guidance for she not only chose the teachers for them, but also ensured that they were mentored properly. Today, several of her family members continue to display talent and promise as well.

The family celebrated all its festivals and functions under her guidance. Every outstation friend or relative would visit her during their trips to Coimbatore, for they cherished her relationship. Lalitha Bai and her talented co-sisters used to play the veena or sing together and it used to be a feast for the eyes and ears. These aristocratic daughters-in-law of jeweller P.A. Raju Chettiar used to be attired in the best of Conjeevarams and diamond jewellery. The days were spent cooking, making fruit juices, teaching children, taking care of the guests, prayers, music, attending to their personal needs, travelling to other places, reading, tying flowers, and chatting.

Though Lalitha Bai and her family lived in a palatial mansion, amidst diamonds, gold, silver, and all the luxuries that money could buy, her co-sisters and she were kind, cultured, talented, and above all, they considered it a matter of pride to be HOMEMAKERS!