MUMBAI: One of the popular faces in the South Indian music industry, Lavanya, who is one half of the Saxophone Sisters, began learning the instrument at the age of four. She also wants to start a music school, where she can teach the skill for no cost. This initiative, according to her, will be a way of giving back something to music.

Along with her sister- Subbulakshmi, the two have managed to register their names in the Limca Guinness Book of World Records for being the only female saxophone players in the country. Their father is an mridangam artist and their grandfather used to be a musician in the palace of Mysore, so music runs in their blood, Lavanya said. The duo learnt to play the instrument from famous saxophone player- Kadri Gopalnath.

“My father and my guru used to play together. The sound of the saxophone attracted me, and since then I wanted to play the instrument. A lot of my relatives play violin, flute and other instruments, but my sister chose the saxophone,” explained Lavanya.

At that time the family lived in Chennai and was not well off. Even relatives suggested that the girls should get married instead of learning music. But Lavanya and Subbulakshmi’s parents always encouraged them. “My mother would rather have us practice our music than push us to do household chores,” she added.

Lavanya revealed that when they started attending classes to learn the saxophone, most of their classmates were boys, and that they were often teased for their choice of instrument. “We did feel bad, but then our parents would always push us to keep learning. They would often say that these things do not matter. People are going to criticise you when you do something different,” she elucidated.

According to her, not many women pursue playing the saxophone. “Playing the saxophone is difficult and it takes a lot of energy. Also the instrument itself is so heavy, and holding it for hours and practicing can be tough,” she explained.

Their first break came when the duo was selected for ‘India’s Got Talent’. Slowly but steadily, the Saxaphone Sisters gained popularity, after which they were called to play at shows and film recordings. The duo has worked with a few imminent music composers in the South, including AR Rahman and is now trying to break into Bollywood. On their rather long wish list, they hope to work with Amit Trivedi, AR Rahman and Vishal Shekhar, amongst many others.