The Tamil Creator Podcast (EP #82): Sundar Viswanathan - Award-Winning (Including A 2022 JUNO) Canadian Jazz Musician

"He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss how being subjected to racism led him to a career in music, how his dad got him a second opportunity for music education after he failed an audition, going from getting paid in wings to winning a JUNO, similarities between being a musician and entrepreneur, the importance of The Canada Council for the Arts spreading Canadian music around the world, his biggest regret, and more."

Podcasts

Oct 03, 2022

Ara Ehamparam

Business Owner

Toronto, Canada

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He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss how being subjected to racism led him to a career in music, how his dad got him a second opportunity for music education after he failed an audition, going from getting paid in wings to winning a JUNO (@thejunoawards), similarities between being a musician and entrepreneur, the importance of The Canada Council for the Arts (@canada.council) spreading Canadian music around the world, his biggest regret (Creator Confessions), and so much more.

"The Tamil Creator" is a podcast started by me (Ara Ehamparam) to celebrate, spotlight and learn about the brilliance among Tamil creators globally. I want you to feel like you're a fly on the wall eavesdropping on a conversation that is a combination of educational, inspirational and entertaining.

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To get more information, please visit the website at TheTamilCreator.com.

Timestamps

00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Sundar Viswanathan
01:25 - Convincing his parents that music was a viable career path
05:03 - Growing up in Sudbury with few South Asians; racism, being bullied in high school
08:38 - His popular brother, Sudbury being less racist, and Sundar’s perspective on this
10:28 - Confronting one of his bullies, and his bully having no recollection of it
11:44 - Embracing challenges and changing the narrative
12:45 - Being optimistic and naive; the time Sundar wanted to ask a girl out on a date
14:26 - Getting rejected from Laurier; his Dad getting him a second opportunity
18:35 - No expectations of winning a JUNO; critical mass leading to this award
21:19 - Similarities between musicianship and entrepreneurship; the work never stops
23:26 - Where Sundar draws inspiration from; different types of music
27:26 - His first music gig; getting paid in chicken wings
29:07 - Playing in a ceremonial guard band in Ottawa; marching on Parliament Hill
30:34 - How people book Sundar for a performance; networking
34:02 - Mostly not being able to cover his costs; teaching music to compensate
36:44 - The Canada Council for the Arts spreading Canadian music around the world
38:53 - Travelling to Japan, South Africa, and more; what he prefers the most
41:05 - Has his connection to Canada faded as a result of touring from a young age?
43:24 - How Sundar maintains his passion with music, despite doing it for 30+ years
47:00 - Never being satisfied with success; Sundar's supportive
49:00 - Does Sundar identify more as Indian or Tamil; Aziz Ansari’s ‘Master of None’
51:14 - Advice he would give his younger self, and how he wants to be remembered
52:27 - Creator Confessions
57:38 - The Wrap Up