Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam
Encyclopedia
Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam is an eminent Carnatic music
vocalist. As a student and performer of classical music for over three decades, she has performed extensively in India and abroad since the age of twelve. She has conducted numerous workshops and lecture demonstrations on the various aspects of Carnatic Music. She has presented papers at international conferences in many countries over the last decade. She is a serious researcher of music. In June 2007, she brought out a book “Apoorva Kriti Manjari” – a collection of twenty rare compositions of the Trinity of Carnatic Music
. The book has notations in English and Tamil by noted musicologist S. Balachander and the audio has been rendered by Vijayalakshmy.
at the age of five under K. Padmanabhan, a disciple of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar
from the Swati Tirunal Academy, Trivandrum. She learnt detailed aspects of manodharma sangita or improvisation under the guidance of guru Sangeeta Bhushanam K Krishnaswamy of Annamalai University
. Her gurus also include Vidwans S.Rajam, T. R. Subramaniam and V. R. Krishnan.
, Durham, North Carolina, USA, to teach the subject – ‘An Introduction to Indian Music’ (Aug – Nov 2010) and also taught for a month at the North Carolina State University , Raleigh.
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...
vocalist. As a student and performer of classical music for over three decades, she has performed extensively in India and abroad since the age of twelve. She has conducted numerous workshops and lecture demonstrations on the various aspects of Carnatic Music. She has presented papers at international conferences in many countries over the last decade. She is a serious researcher of music. In June 2007, she brought out a book “Apoorva Kriti Manjari” – a collection of twenty rare compositions of the Trinity of Carnatic Music
Trinity of Carnatic music
The outstanding group of composer-musicians of Carnatic music which included Tyāgarāja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri, are commonly referred to as the Trinity of Carnatic music....
. The book has notations in English and Tamil by noted musicologist S. Balachander and the audio has been rendered by Vijayalakshmy.
Music Training
Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam started her training in Carnatic MusicCarnatic 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...
at the age of five under K. Padmanabhan, a disciple of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar
Muthiah Bhagavatar
Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar , commonly known as Muthiah Bhagavatar, is one of Carnatic classical music's famous twentieth century composers. He also created about 20 ragas.-Early life:...
from the Swati Tirunal Academy, Trivandrum. She learnt detailed aspects of manodharma sangita or improvisation under the guidance of guru Sangeeta Bhushanam K Krishnaswamy of Annamalai University
Annamalai University
Annamalai University is a Public University located in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The university offers courses of higher education in arts, sciences and engineering.The university also provides around 380 courses under distance mode...
. Her gurus also include Vidwans S.Rajam, T. R. Subramaniam and V. R. Krishnan.
Academics & Scholarships
- Defended thesis for Ph.D in Music, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu - March 2011. Thesis topic: "Tamil Composers of the Twentieth Century". The dissertation involved assimilation and documentation of Tamil Composers and a critical analysis of the musical and lyrical value of their compositions
- Fulbright Visiting Lecturer Fellowship, USA, 2010
- Sangeet Alankar, 1987, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi (A masters level program)
- Sahitya Kala Parishad, New Delhi Scholarship, 1983–1985
- Sangeet Shiromani, 1982, Music Faculty, Delhi University (Diploma in Carnatic Music)
- Government of India Junior Talent Scholarship, 1977–1983
The Fulbright Fellowship
Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam was awarded the Fulbright Visiting Lecturer Fellowship by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational Affairs in 2010. As part of the programme, she was invited as a visiting lecturer to the Duke UniversityDuke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, Durham, North Carolina, USA, to teach the subject – ‘An Introduction to Indian Music’ (Aug – Nov 2010) and also taught for a month at the North Carolina State University , Raleigh.
Performances & Conferences
- She has performed at the Cleveland Thyagaraja AradhanaCleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana-External links:*The Cleveland aradhana is one of the biggest aradhana organizations in the world. Taking place in Ohio, the aradhana has more than a thousand people a day!people from all over the world will participate in this festival....
Festival in 2009 and 2006. - She has performed at the KI Tropentheater, Amsterdam in 2005 as part of a concert series.
- Has participated in the Asia Pacific Music Festival, New Zealand, 1992.
- Vijayalakshmy is an 'A' grade artiste with the All India RadioAll India RadioAll India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
. She has performed in the prestigious Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan concerts and sings regularly over the ChennaiChennaiChennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
Station of All India Radio. She has also participated in the ITC SRA Sangeet sammelan. - She has participated in innumerable conferences and has given lecture demonstrations on a wide variety of topics. She has taken part in music conferences at many places in India and abroad.
Teacher
Vijayalakshmy is a dedicated teacher and has groomed many students in vocal music. She is also a resource person on the popular e-learning website www.carnaticstudent.orgAlbums Released
- Apoorva Kriti Manjari
- Kritis of Annamayya - Charsur Digital Workstation
- Raga Series - TODI - Charsur Digital Workstation
- Kshetra Sringeri - Charsur Digital Workstation
- Muruga Muruga - Rajalakshmi Audio
- Madrasil Margazhi - Rajalakshmi Audio
- Sarvanandham - Rajalakshmi Audio