On September 16, 2025, the air in Chennai’s Hamsadhwani auditorium was filled with anticipation. Carnatic maestro Gayathri Venkataraghavan, celebrated for her soulful renditions, graced the stage to honor the birth anniversary of the legendary M.S. Subbulakshmi. It was a momentous occasion, marking her return after a year-long hiatus dedicated to battling breast cancer. As she appeared, her shorter hair a subtle testament to her journey, the overwhelming joy of her comeback was palpable.
Just shy of a year prior, in October 2024, Gayathri had announced a temporary pause from her performance schedule due to health concerns, sharing this news on her social media. Throughout her treatment, she thoughtfully kept her followers updated on her recovery, often sharing nostalgic clips. One such video showed her joyfully singing excerpts of Nalinakanthi alongside her brother Senthil Ramani during a serene holiday in Kotagiri, Nilgiris, reminding everyone of her enduring connection to music.
Known for her adventurous spirit and love for mountaineering and trekking, Gayathri revealed that the choice to publicly disclose her diagnosis and treatment journey was a deliberate one. She explains, “I had commitments for several concerts in December, so sharing the news was necessary.” Diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer shortly after a Himalayan trek in June, she initially hoped for a quick recovery. However, realizing the treatment would be extensive, she felt compelled to inform her audience. Her husband, Dr. Venkataraghavan, supported this decision, believing it could empower others. “Even educated individuals sometimes hesitate to share such diagnoses with loved ones, delaying crucial treatment,” she notes.
The outpouring of support deeply touched Gayathri. Encouraging messages flooded in, with many women sharing their own untold stories of battling cancer, expressing how they lacked the courage to confide in others. Gayathri proudly shares, “We’ve built a network of cancer survivors and patients who offer guidance to those newly diagnosed. Now that I’ve resumed performing, others in our circle admirably step up to continue this vital support.”
She reflects on the unique nature of the struggle: “Only someone who has faced cancer, or is currently undergoing treatment, can truly grasp what it feels like. It’s an incredibly challenging and often solitary path, and maintaining mental strength isn’t always possible.” Fortunately, Gayathri found solace in ‘Dhridabhakti’—complete trust—a sentiment so profound it became the title of her debut album. She credits her friends and her close-knit family, particularly her niece, for their immense support.
During this time, Gayathri also gained a deeper appreciation for the patience and prayers of her dedicated fans, or ‘rasikas,’ including the residents of Anandam Old Age Home in Ambattur, a cause she supports. “The sabhas assured me they would wait and regularly checked on my well-being, which was incredibly encouraging. I’ve always believed that the people in my life are my true wealth—my ‘manusha sampath’,” she shares. Her vibrant sense of humor also remained a powerful coping mechanism; she frequently recorded amusing videos with or for her family. “Everyone else at home had work to do. How could I make things easier for them? Yes, I had cancer, but life had to continue,” she wisely observed.
Notably, Gayathri chose not to wear a wig, embracing her changing appearance. “I wanted people to see every step of my transformation. It felt like it humanized me, breaking away from the traditional image of a Carnatic singer adorned in silk sarees, braided hair, and flowers,” she explains. She also aimed to convey a crucial message: early detection makes most cancers curable, and treatment advancements are made constantly. “Many have told me my journey gives them hope. I’m just passing on the wisdom I gained from others who’ve trod this path before me, like actor Manisha Koirala and dancer Ananda Shankar Jayanth,” says Gayathri, who recently founded her own music school, Gana Vinyasa.
Ultimately, music itself became Gayathri’s most profound healer. “I would chant, I would sing. Friends would often visit and perform for me,” she recalls. “That very music is what brought me back to the stage. And now, some people are affectionately calling this phase ‘GV 3.0’,” she chuckles, radiating resilience and joy.