Usha Vance’s as a Carnatic music student shared by her Teacher

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Usha Chilukuri Vance,who composed and eloquent, stepped onto the stage at the Republican National Convention to present the introductory remarks for her husband, the audience recognized her as the spouse of JD Vance, U.S. Senator and the Republican vice presidential nominee. However, in that radiant moment, one individual perceived a different narrative: Dr. Rose Muralikrishnan, her former music instructor, beheld the young girl she had once guided in Carnatic music, now flourishing as a woman of intellect and poise on a prominent platform.“I was overwhelmed with joy to witness her. For me, it felt akin to seeing my own daughter up there,” Muralikrishnan, founder and CEO of the non-profit Spring Nectar Foundation for Indian Music and Heritage, shared with India-West. “Experiencing her as an adult was exhilarating. Upon seeing her, I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s my Usha — my little girl!’ Observing her on that stage sent chills throughout my body. I immediately reached out to Lakshmi, Usha’s mother, saying, I can hardly believe it. I am so proud of our little girl.

This occasion represented not only a significant political achievement but also a profoundly personal moment for the musician, who had taught Chilukuri-Vance many years prior when she was a curious, bright-eyed child eager to explore the world of music.Their collaboration commenced in the early 1990s, during which Muralikrishnan served as an adjunct professor of Indian classical music at San Diego State University, instructing a select group of Indian American students. Muralikrishnan fondly recalled, “When she was merely six or seven years old, her parents—both of whom were professors, articulate, educated, and sociable—brought her to me. It was no surprise that Usha was an exceptionally bright and enthusiastic girl, deeply engaged in music. I vividly remember her sitting quietly during class breaks and recitals, always engrossed in a book.” Usha’s mother is a molecular biologist and provost at the University of California, San Diego, while her father is an engineer and a professor in the aerospace engineering department at San Diego State University. Chilukuri Vance, who grew up in San Diego, delved into the realm of Carnatic music under Muralikrishnan’s mentorship. Although her formal training was relatively short, lasting only 2-3 years, Muralikrishnan recalled her remarkable commitment during that time. “As a young girl, we often remarked, ‘She’s destined to become a lawyer’… her manner of speaking was bold, and she expressed her opinions candidly,” Muralikrishnan noted about Chilukuri-Vance, who later obtained her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s of philosophy from the University of Cambridge through the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. She subsequently pursued legal studies at Yale, where she met Vance.As time progressed, circumstances led to their separation.

Muralikrishnan, who achieved a PhD in Indian music, relocated to Santa Monica, California, which marked the conclusion of their musical connection. Nevertheless, Muralikrishnan continues to cherish her relationship with Usha’s family, occasionally catching glimpses of their lives through social media.Muralikrishnan’s recollections of her time with Chilukuri-Vance are firmly anchored in the formative experiences of music and exploration, remaining untainted by the current political discussions that surround her. She expressed, “I’m not a politician; I’m a musician.” Reflecting on her role as a mentor, she shared her joy in teaching and the enthusiasm of her student in learning. The pride she feels when witnessing her children excel on the global stage is akin to that of a mother, filled with excitement at their achievements.As a distinguished composer, songwriter, conductor, and director within the realm of Indian classical music, Muralikrishnan has graced numerous prestigious venues. Her performances have taken her to iconic locations such as the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Carnegie Hall in New York, The Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, as well as the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia.