Kaviyoor Revamma

Kaviyoor C. K. Revamma (born April 14, 1930 in Kaviyoor - died May 13, [2007] in Kollam ), was a popular Carnatic vocalist.Revamma, who started learning Carnatic music at the age of eight, had her initiation into the career of a musician at Aruvipuram at the age of 16.

After securing the first rank in BA and MA degree (music) examinations, she received her PhD in music from Kerala University. Revamma was the first to get PhD in music from Kerala University. Later, she lectured at the Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram, where she became the head of the department of Music. Revamma also served as principal of the Thrissur Government College and retired as deputy director, Collegiate Education.

Revamma sang in many films, including Jeevitha Nouka, Navalokam, Neelakuyil, Sasidharan, Ponkathir and Chechy. Her first film was Sasidharan. Revamma, P.Leela and Jikky (Krishnaveni) were known as the singing trio of Malayalam films of yesteryears. Revamma lent her voice for songs in about 20 Malayalam films in 1950s, including such musical hits as Jeevitha Nouka, Navalokam, Neelakuyil, Sasidharan, Ponkathir and Chechy. Her duet with A M Rajah mesmerised listeners with classic numbers like Nee en chandrane, njaan nin chandrika and Anputhan ponnambalthil from the movie Avan Marannu. Revamma later concentrated on teaching and research in music.

A holder of Ganabhushanam from the Thiruvananthapuram Music College, she also served as a member of the Board of Studies of Kerala, Calicut and MG universities. She taught at different colleges of the state. She conducted her postdoctoral studies in ethno-musicology at
UCLA with a Fulbright scholarship. Revamma also served as a visiting professor at various universities in the United States.

References

* [http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/14/stories/2007051415640400.htm Obituary] ]

Kaviyoor C. K. Revamma (born April 15, 1931 in Kaviyoor - died May 13, 2007 in Kollam ), was a popular Carnatic vocalist.Revamma, who started learning Carnatic music at the age of eight, had her initiation into the career of a musician at Aruvipuram at the age of 16.

A holder of Ganabhushanam from the Thiruvananthapuram Music College, Revamma joined the Women's College, Thiruvananthapuram as a tutor. After securing the first rank in BA and MA degree (music) examinations, she took her doctorate in music from Kerala University. Revamma was the first to get PhD in music from Kerala University. Later, she joined the Women’s College in Thiruvananthapuram as Lecturer where she became the head of the department of Music. It was during this period that she received a Fulbright Grant to do her post doctoral studies in U.S.A. She was also nominated as the chairperson of the Indian Music in the Ethnomusicology department, UCLA.She had also been a visiting professor at various universities in the United States.

On her return from California in 1973, after receiving her post doctoral degree, Revamma served as Principal of the Thrissur Government College and Deputy Director, Collegiate Education. She retired from service in 1985 as Additional Director of Collegiate Education.

Revamma had sung in many films, including Jeevitha Nouka, Navalokam, Neelakuyil, Sasidharan, Ponkathir and Chechy. Her first film was sasidharan Along with P.Leela and Jikky (Krishnaveni), the three were known as the singing trio of malayalam films of yesteryears. Revemma had lent her voice for songs in about 20 Malayalam films in 1950s, including musical hits like Jeevitha Nouka, Navalokam, Neelakuyil, Sasidharan, Ponkathir and Chechy. Her combination with A M Rajah, once mesmerised the audience with the classic numbers Like Nee en chandrane, njaan nin chandrika and Anputhan ponnambalthil from the movie Avan Marannu. Revamma later concentrated on teaching and research in music.

Dr.Revamma had served as the Chairperson, Doctoral Examination Board, Madras University for some years and was the Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Chairperson of the Board of Studies and Senate Member in various universities in Kerala.

Revamma is credited with more than 2000 concerts inside and outside India.The awards conferred on her include Kerala Sangeeth Nataka Academy Award (1975), 'Kalaratnam' title by the Devaswom Board, Kerala, and the Award for the year 1972 by the Kerala Religious Endowment Committee for the best performer in Classical Music.