Rani Vijaya Devi
Encyclopedia
Rani Vijaya Devi, Thakurani of Kotda-Sanganihttp://uqconnect.net/~zzhsoszy/ips/k/kotdasangani.html (b. 28 August 1922, Mysore; d. December 8, 2005, Bangalore
, India
) was the eldest daughter of Late Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimha Raja Wadiyar and sister of Maharaja
Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar. Her early formative years were spent in the palace where the family's rich cultural atmosphere left a deep impression on her.
The young princess
grew up steeped in Carnatic music
and dance, and became proficient in playing the Veena
. At the age of six, she also commenced formal piano
lessons at the Palace, and progressed through to the Fellowship examination of the Trinity College of Music
, London
under the tutelage of Dr. Alfred Mistowski, Professor of Trinity College.
After her marriage to the Thakore Saheb of Kotda-Sangani in 1941, Rani Vijaya Devi continued studying the piano in India
, and later at the Juilliard School of Music, New York
, with Professor Edward Steuermann, during her husband's diplomatic posting there. An accomplished concert pianist, she has recorded for radio and television, and appeared in concerts in Hong Kong
and India
.
She was the founder and President of the International Music & Arts Society. It was established to augment Bangalore
’s existing cultural scene by providing an international forum for Indian and foreign musicians and artistes. Designed by the English artist-dramatist-teacher, David Horsburgh, the Society's logo embodies the spirit of the arts of both East and West.
Over the last twenty-five years, the Society has worked in collaboration with other organizations such as the ICCR
and USIS, and European embassies and cultural centers. This effort has enabled a wide audience to enjoy the works of some of the finest international exponents of the performing and visual arts of our time.
The past Patrons of the Society have included the Governors of Karnataka
and Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, and currently, the Governor of Maharashtra Sri. S. M. Krishna, and Sri. Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar.
She died on December 8, 2005 at a private hospital in Bangalore.
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
) was the eldest daughter of Late Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimha Raja Wadiyar and sister of Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar. Her early formative years were spent in the palace where the family's rich cultural atmosphere left a deep impression on her.
The young princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
grew up steeped in Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
and dance, and became proficient in playing the Veena
Veena
Veena may refer to one of several Indian plucked instruments:With frets*Rudra veena, plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music*Saraswati veena, plucked string instrument used in Carnatic musicFretless...
. At the age of six, she also commenced formal piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons at the Palace, and progressed through to the Fellowship examination of the Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
under the tutelage of Dr. Alfred Mistowski, Professor of Trinity College.
After her marriage to the Thakore Saheb of Kotda-Sangani in 1941, Rani Vijaya Devi continued studying the piano in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and later at the Juilliard School of Music, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, with Professor Edward Steuermann, during her husband's diplomatic posting there. An accomplished concert pianist, she has recorded for radio and television, and appeared in concerts in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
She was the founder and President of the International Music & Arts Society. It was established to augment Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
’s existing cultural scene by providing an international forum for Indian and foreign musicians and artistes. Designed by the English artist-dramatist-teacher, David Horsburgh, the Society's logo embodies the spirit of the arts of both East and West.
Over the last twenty-five years, the Society has worked in collaboration with other organizations such as the ICCR
Iccr
ICCR stands for:* Indian Council for Cultural Relations* The Interdisciplinary Centre for Comparative Research in the Social Sciences* Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility* International Centre for Classroom Research...
and USIS, and European embassies and cultural centers. This effort has enabled a wide audience to enjoy the works of some of the finest international exponents of the performing and visual arts of our time.
The past Patrons of the Society have included the Governors of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, and currently, the Governor of Maharashtra Sri. S. M. Krishna, and Sri. Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar.
She died on December 8, 2005 at a private hospital in Bangalore.