- Vedavalli
Vidushi R. Vedavalli is a Carnatic vocalist.
R. Vedavalli was born in
Mannargudi ,Tamil Nadu ,India to Shri Ramaswami Iyengar and Padmasani Ammal in1935 . Her talent for music was identified early on bySangita Kalanidhi Madurai Srirangam Iyengar , who brought the five year old aharmonium , and got her started on vocal lessons. The family moved to Madras in a few years time, and Vedavalli came under the tutelage of Sangita KalanidhiMudicondan Venkatarama Iyer . 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. In2000 , 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 received a Central Government scholarship to specialize in
Padams andJavalis with Smt Mukta, and inPallavi s with Shri Mudicondan Venkataramana Iyer. Though she has performed since childhood, it was Shri Ariyakudi who 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 the Gulf, giving concerts and lecture demonstrations.Smt Vedavalli served in the Teacher's College of Music of the
Madras Music Academy for 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. Among her disciples today are accomplished performers, resarchers, teachers and writers.She is also trained in playing the
veena , and has a good command overSanskrit , Telugu,Kannada and Tamil, which helps her sing with greater understanding or artha bhava. She now lives inChennai with her husband Shri D.R. Santhanam, and mother Smt. Padmasani Ammal.External links
* R. Vedavalli's personal [http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/8896/page1.html website]
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