Veena Dhanammal (Carnatic - Veena)

Dates 1868 to 15-Oct-1938 Genre Carnatic Instrument Veena, Vocal   Profile   Discography   Related Artists   Articles

Profile

Veena Dhanammal is the most prominent Veena player of 20th century and one of the most influential Carnatic musicians ever.

Dhanammal was born into a musical family. Her grand mother Kamakshiamma was a famous vocalist and dancer. Her mother Sundaramma was trained by Subbaraya Sastri, son of Shyama Shastry. She was trained by a number of musicians, apart from her mother -Sathanur Panchanada Ayyar, Alasingarayya, Balakrishnayya, Dharmapuri Subbaraya Ayyar, Baldas Naidu of Wallajahpet and Saidapet Tirumalachariar. Her brother Narayanaswami was a famous violinist.

Dhanammal was an expert in Veena, but was equally good in vocals. She used to frequently sing while playing on the veena. In time she developed an identifiable style of her own, what is now called Veena Dhanammal Bani. Raaga Bhaava was the main focus of her style. Gamaka-s were used where needed and she had a fine delicate touch. She never used Tanpura or Mridange accompaniment as she beleived Veena was a complete instrument. Musicians and rasika-s would flock to her house to hear her Friday concerts.

Several of her children and grand children became master musicians, which helped popularize the Dhanammal bani. She had four daughters who were all taught music - Rajalakshmi, Lakshmiratnam, Jayammal and Kamakshi. The famous vocalist duo of Brinda and Mukta were her grand daughters. The famous floutist T Viswanathan and Mridangam player T. Ranganathan were her grand sons. Disciples of Brinda and Mukta carry forward the musical lineage of Veen Dhanammal. The legendary Bharatanatyam dancer Balasaraswathi was her grand daughter.

There were some recordings made of Veena Dhanammal, though the originals were later destroyed by the recording company (see For the record). May be someday, those short recordings will be brought out in the form of a CD.

Related Artists

Teachers & Influences	Sundaramma (mother), Sathanur Panchanada Ayyar, Alasingarayya, Balakrishnayya, Dharmapuri Subbaraya Ayyar, Baldas Naidu of Wallajahpet, Saidapet Tirumalachariar
Disciples & Followers	Jayammal (daughter), Brinda and Mukta (grand daughters)
Similar Artists	Veena Sheshanna
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