N Rajam

N. Rajam was born in Chennai in a musical family to Vidwan A. Narayana Iyer.[1] Her brother is violinist T. N. Krishnan. Rajam started her initial training in carnatic music under her father. She also trained under Massurri Subramanium Iyer, and learned raga development from the vocalist Omkarnath Thakur.

Rajam received the prestigious titles of Padmashri and Padmabhushan from the Government of India. People often refer to her music as the "Singing Violin".

Performing career

Rajam started playing violin at age four. By the age of nine, she was a professional musician. With guidance of her father, A. Narayana Iyer, she developed the Gayaki Ang. Rajam has performed across the globe and in numerous places throughout India. She has performed in various countries in Europe, extensively toured the USA and Canada, and performed in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Netherlands, to name a few.

In BHU, Rajam was on the staff of the Faculty of Performing Arts for nearly 40 years. She has worked as Dean and Head of Department in Banaras Hindu University.

Students

She has trained her niece, Kala Ramnath, her daughter Sangeeta Shankar, V.Balaji, Swarna Khuntia, her granddaughters Ragini Shankar, Nandini Shankar, and many more.[2]

Awards

* Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1990[3]

* Padma Shri, 1984[4]

* Padma Bhushan, 2004[4]

* Puttaraja Sanmaana, 2004[5]

[edit] Discography

* Violin Dynasty (Raga Bagheshri) -

* Dr. (Mrs.) N. Rajam (Violin Recital)

References

1. ^ http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=18082

2. ^ http://www.radionetherlands.nl/radioprogrammes/voxhumana/070126vh

3. ^ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees - Instrumental - Sarangi". Sangeet Natak Akademi. http://sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist-violin.htm. Retrieved on 2009-07-06.

4. ^ a b "Padma Awards". Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. http://india.gov.in/myindia/advsearch_awards.php?start=0&award_year=&state=&field=3&p_name=Rajam&award=All. Retrieved on 2009-07-06.

5. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/05/stories/2004030510470300.htm

More

* Dr. N. Rajam at Allmusic - http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hnfoxqqgld6e