Bio-Data of Vidushi Vasanthamadhavi

Tutelage and Guru:

Started learning music at the age of 5 and practiced rigorously for 15 years under the expert tutelage of Vid. Gopalakrishna and later, under Ganakalasindhu Sri D. Subbaramaiah.

Background:

Professional accomplishments:

Had the rare opportunity of singing before H.H. Sri. Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, at the tender age of 10. Performed before Dr. DVG at the age of 14.
A casual artist of AIR Bangalore and Bangalore Doordarshan
Approved composer of AIR Bangalore. Vocal recitals are telecast from Bangalore Doordarshan from time to time.
Founder and Principal of “Ragashree college of Music”. Training a good number of talented, promising students in vocal music.
Founder and managing trustee of Sri. D. Subbaramaiah Fine Arts trust.
Directed many feature programs for Radio and TV. Special programs for Rajyotsava, Independence Day and Children’s day have been acclaimed as the best feature entertainers.
Composed several “Nava Suma”, “Geetaradhana” and “Jhenkara” songs.
A staunch follower of tradition and authenticity in rendering musical compositions. Alapana, Neraval and Taana singing are the areas of expertise with due emphasis on the usage of Gamakas and Raga Bhava.
Given several concerts, organized by govt. of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
Regularly performs during Ramotsava, Ganeshotsava and other festivities.
Performed for several prestigious Sabhas all over India and in USA. Gayana Samaja, Malleshwaram Sangeeta Sabha, CMANA(New Jersey) are a few examples.
Honoured with the title "Kalaradhana Shree" from Aaradhana Music Trust.
Honoured by Bharatha Bharathi Sangita Seva Prathishtana.

Compositions:

Composed several Varnams and Navasandhi kritis for Bharatanatyam.
Composed several kritis in Telugu, Sanskrit and Kannada
Composed Navagraha kritis and Ashtadikpalaka kritis. The Ashtadikpalaka kritis are a very rare set of compositions that have been composed for the very first time in Music history. Set in different vibhaktis, these kritis give an insight to the Vedic descriptions and have been acclaimed as superb compositions by learned scholars. Also composed a set of 9 kritis in very rare ragas – “Sri Venkateshwara Navaratna Maalika”

Academic Accomplishments:

Conducted several workshops in Saint Thyagaraja’s Pancharatna kritis, Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s Kamalamba Navaratna Keerthanas, Panchalinga Kshetra kritis, Melaragamlika etc.
Given many demonstrative programs including:

Exclusive compositions of Sri. Subbarama Dikshitar and Kumara Ettappa Maharaja with their life sketches
Jatiswara-Swarajati
Evolution of alapana
Tillanas and Javalis
Sri. Thyagaraja’s compositions in praise of deities other than Srirama
Eka raga Nirupana
Special aspects in Sri. Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s compositions etc.

Contributed articles on different aspects of Music and Musicology. Various Magazines and periodicals have published these articles.
Translated and compiled compositions of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar, not printed in Sangeeta Sampradaya Pradarshini
Serving as examiner for proficiency grade in Music exams conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka
Associated with Bharata Bharati Sangeetha Seva Pratishtana to bring out an encyclopedic work on Sri Thyagaraja titled “Sri Thyagaraja Yoga Vaibhavam” and one on Sri Shyama Shastri titled "Sri Shyama Vaggeya Vaibhavam".
Serving on the committee formed by the Directorate of Text books, to author books for Vidwat grade Music exams
Write-ups on past musicians of distinction “Avismaraneeyaru” is being published in “Ananya Abhivyakti”, a monthly magazine published by Ananya

Cassettes released:

Contact Information:

No. 75, 7th Cross, I.T.I. Layout

J.P. Nagar 1st Phase

Bangalore 560078, India

Ph: (080) 26646089

Email: vasanthamadhavi@upavan.com