Vedavalli
R. Vedavalli | |
|---|---|
 R. Vedavalli | |
| Born | November 9, 1935[1] Mannargudi,Madras Presidency,India |
| Occupation | Indian classicalvocalist |
| Years active | 1953– |
| Spouse | D. R. Santhanam |
| Parent(s) | Ramaswami Iyengar (father) Padmasani Ammal (mother) |
| Awards |
|
Vidushi R. Vedavalli(born 9 November 1935) is aCarnaticvocalist.[2]Musicologist M B Vedavalli (1935-2022) was a different person.[3]
Early life
[edit]R. Vedavalli was born inMannargudi,Tamil Nadu,Indiato Ramaswami Iyengar and Padmasani Ammal.
Career
[edit]R. Vedavalli's talent for music was identified early on by Maurai Srirangam Iyengar, who brought the five-year-old aharmonium,and got her started on vocal lessons. The family moved toMadrasin a few years time, and Vedavalli came under the tutelage ofMudicondan Venkatarama Iyer.[1]
She received a Central Government scholarship to specialize in Padams and Javalis withT.Muktha,and inPallaviswith Venkataramana Iyer. Though she has performed since childhood, it wasAriyakudi Ramanuja Iyengarwho advised her to turn into a professional musician, when he heard her sing as an 18-year-old. She has travelled throughout India and abroad in North America, South-East Asia, the Far East and thePersian Gulfregion, giving concerts and lecture demonstrations.
Vedavalli served in the Teacher's College of Music of theMadras Music Academyfor several years before becoming Professor of Vocal Music in the Government College of MusicAdyar.She has thus shared her deep knowledge and extensive repertoire with numerous students at these institutions apart from training some privately.
She is also trained in playing theveena,and has a good command overTamil,Sanskrit,Kannada,Telugu,which helps her sing with greater understanding orartha bhava(meaning and emotion). She lived inChennaiwith her husband D. R. Santhanam and mother Padmasani Ammal, at the turn of the century. Later she and her husband moved to Pune to be with their daughter, and D R Santhanam died in Pune in July 2021.[4]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]From a very young age, Vedavalli won several awards in prestigious competitions including All India Radio's first prize for Classical Music and Light Classical Music, awarded by the President of India. In 2000, she received theSangeetha Kalanidhi,which is considered the highest award in Carnatic music. She is one of the few women to have received this honor. She also received theSangeetha Kalasikhamaniaward given by the Fine Arts Society, Chennai in 1995.
Disciples
[edit]Among her disciples today are accomplished performers, researchers, teachers and writers. Sumitra Vasudev and her daughter Sushruti Santhanam are her disciples. Sushruti is based in Pune and teaches music there.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Steeped in classicism".The Hindu.3 November 1995. Archived fromthe originalon 22 December 1996.Retrieved8 July2023.
- ^Swaminathan, G. (19 November 2015)."Vedavalli at 80".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved8 June2021.
- ^Swaminathan, G. (23 June 2022)."Tribute to musicologist M.B. Vedavalli".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved23 May2024.
- ^"A Farewell to Mr DR Santhanam".25 July 2021.
- ^"Tuning INTO Carnatic".22 September 2019.
External links
[edit]
- R. Vedavalli's personal websiteat theWayback Machine(archived October 27, 2009)
- Her article on her childhood
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
 | This article related toCarnatic musicis astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
- Tamil singers
- Women Carnatic singers
- Carnatic singers
- Indian music educators
- Sangeetha Kalanidhi recipients
- 1935 births
- Living people
- Indian women classical singers
- People from Tiruvarur district
- 20th-century Indian singers
- 20th-century Indian women singers
- Singers from Tamil Nadu
- Women musicians from Tamil Nadu
- Indian women music educators
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Carnatic music stubs