Sudha Murty, an icon of inspiration globally, is celebrated for her literary works, philanthropic initiatives, and remarkable life journey. Married to Narayana Murthy, the billionaire co-founder of Infosys, a company boasting a market capitalization exceeding Rs 7.97 lakh crore, Sudha has been a role model for countless individuals. Recently, she made headlines for explaining the unique spelling of her surname, “Murty,” which differs from her husband’s, “Murthy.”
In an interview with MoneyControl, Sudha revealed the reasoning behind this distinction, citing her dedication to preserving Sanskrit traditions. According to her, Sanskrit is a precise language where each pronunciation corresponds to a specific letter. She explained that using “THY” in her surname does not accurately reflect the original Sanskrit spelling. In Sanskrit, the word “Murthy” means a statue, and Sudha insisted that its correct transliteration should end with “TY.”
Sudha disclosed that this preference was not merely a personal choice but a condition she set before marrying Narayana Murthy. “In Sanskrit, Murthy refers to a statue, and it cannot be spelled as ‘THY,’” she stated. This belief was there from her university days, where she first noticed the discrepancy in spelling and resolved to adhere to the traditional Sanskrit pronunciation.
The significance of this decision extended beyond her personal identity, as both her children, Akshata and Rohan, also use “Murty” as their surname. This consistent choice underscores her family’s commitment to cultural authenticity.
Narayana Murthy, known for his progressive outlook, expressed full support for Sudha’s decision. He described himself as open-minded about such matters and underscored the importance of mutual respect in their relationship. This mutual understanding has been a cornerstone of their enduring partnership.
