Veenai Dhanammal (Tamil: வீணை தனம்மாள்) (1867–1938)[1] was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the Saraswati veena.[1] The prefix "Veenai" in her name is an indicator of her exceptional mastery of that instrument.
Dhanammal was born in George Town, Madras (now Chennai), into a family of professional musicians and dancers. Her grandmother Kamakshi was a reputed dancer, and her mother was a vocalist who trained under Subbaraya Sastri, the son of Syama Sastri of the Carnatic music composer trinity.
In addition to training by her family members, Dhanammal also learned from Walajapet Balakrishna Das ("Padam Baladas"), a blind musician who was a repository of the padams of Kshetrayya, and Satanur Pancanatha Iyer.
Careeredit
"Regarding the veenai as an instrument complete and perfect in itself, she played it without plectrum, and often accompanied by her own singing. Her music is documented in a set of historical recordings. Her personal style, known as the ''Veenai Dhanammal bani'', is regarded as a yardstick in terms of adherence to traditional values and profoundity of music expression. Musicians, critics and composers attended her private recitals in Chennai. Her continuing impact is ascribed to the scope of her repertoire, knowledge and refinement. Many songs by leading composers like Narasimhacarlu, Mutialpet Ponnusvami, Tiruvottriyur Tyagayyar, and especially Dharmapuri Subbarayar were composed for, or inspired by, Dhanammal. These compositions, mainly javali and padam, have been preserved, taught, and published by her grandchildren, T. Brinda, T. Muktha, T. Sankaran, dancer T. Balasaraswati, and flute player T. Viswanathan."[2][excessive quote] Her daughters Lakshmiratnam (mother of AIR Deputy Director T Sankaran), Jayammal (mother of Balasaraswati, T Ranganathan, and T Viswanathan) and Kamakshi (mother of Brinda, Mukta and Abhiramasundari) were also performing musicians and teachers. Of her four daughters, Rajalakshmi was the oldest, Lakshmiratnam the next, Jayammal was the third oldest and Kamakshi was the youngest. Three of her grandchildren (Brinda, Balasaraswathi, Vishwanathan) were awarded Sangeetha Kalanidhi title. Dhanammal's grandson T. Sankaran (not to be confused with musician Trichy Sankaran) was both an officer at AIR and director of Tamil Isai Sangham; he was also a singer who used to perform for the radio in 1930s. [3] Music performed by Dhanammal, Jayammal, and several of Dhanammal's grandchildren and great-grandchildren is available on the internet.
Dhanammal's fame had spread far and wide, and even Abdul Karim Khan, doyen of Kirana Gharana in Hindusthani Music, learnt Carnatic songs from her and released discs of these. She both taught Naayana Pillai her music and learnt from him, in a mutual give and take. [4]
A commemorative postage stamp on her was issued on 03-December-2010.[5]
Referencesedit
^ abUniversity, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru (25 August 2017). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN978-1-5381-0686-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Pesch, Ludwig. The Illustrated Guide to South Indian Classical Music, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1999, p. 264.
veenai, dhanammal, tamil, தனம, 1867, 1938, highly, accomplished, carnatic, musician, torchbearer, school, carnatic, music, that, goes, name, both, vocalist, performer, saraswati, veena, prefix, veenai, name, indicator, exceptional, mastery, that, instrument, c. Veenai Dhanammal Tamil வ ண தனம ம ள 1867 1938 1 was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name She was both a vocalist and a performer on the Saraswati veena 1 The prefix Veenai in her name is an indicator of her exceptional mastery of that instrument Veenai DhanammalVeenai Dhanammal circa mid 1930sBackground informationBorn1867Georgetown ChennaiGenresIndian classical musicOccupation s Veenai playerInstrument s VeenaiYears active1880 1938 Veenai Dhanammal left with her daughter T Lakshmirathnam and grandson circa 1910 15 Contents 1 Early life and background 2 Career 3 References 4 SourcesEarly life and background editDhanammal was born in George Town Madras now Chennai into a family of professional musicians and dancers Her grandmother Kamakshi was a reputed dancer and her mother was a vocalist who trained under Subbaraya Sastri the son of Syama Sastri of the Carnatic music composer trinity In addition to training by her family members Dhanammal also learned from Walajapet Balakrishna Das Padam Baladas a blind musician who was a repository of the padams of Kshetrayya and Satanur Pancanatha Iyer Career edit Regarding the veenai as an instrument complete and perfect in itself she played it without plectrum and often accompanied by her own singing Her music is documented in a set of historical recordings Her personal style known as the Veenai Dhanammal bani is regarded as a yardstick in terms of adherence to traditional values and profoundity of music expression Musicians critics and composers attended her private recitals in Chennai Her continuing impact is ascribed to the scope of her repertoire knowledge and refinement Many songs by leading composers like Narasimhacarlu Mutialpet Ponnusvami Tiruvottriyur Tyagayyar and especially Dharmapuri Subbarayar were composed for or inspired by Dhanammal These compositions mainly javali and padam have been preserved taught and published by her grandchildren T Brinda T Muktha T Sankaran dancer T Balasaraswati and flute player T Viswanathan 2 excessive quote Her daughters Lakshmiratnam mother of AIR Deputy Director T Sankaran Jayammal mother of Balasaraswati T Ranganathan and T Viswanathan and Kamakshi mother of Brinda Mukta and Abhiramasundari were also performing musicians and teachers Of her four daughters Rajalakshmi was the oldest Lakshmiratnam the next Jayammal was the third oldest and Kamakshi was the youngest Three of her grandchildren Brinda Balasaraswathi Vishwanathan were awarded Sangeetha Kalanidhi title Dhanammal s grandson T Sankaran not to be confused with musician Trichy Sankaran was both an officer at AIR and director of Tamil Isai Sangham he was also a singer who used to perform for the radio in 1930s 3 Music performed by Dhanammal Jayammal and several of Dhanammal s grandchildren and great grandchildren is available on the internet Dhanammal s fame had spread far and wide and even Abdul Karim Khan doyen of Kirana Gharana in Hindusthani Music learnt Carnatic songs from her and released discs of these She both taught Naayana Pillai her music and learnt from him in a mutual give and take 4 A commemorative postage stamp on her was issued on 03 December 2010 5 References edit a b University Vijaya Ramaswamy Jawaharlal Nehru 25 August 2017 Historical Dictionary of the Tamils Rowman amp Littlefield ISBN 978 1 5381 0686 0 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Pesch Ludwig The Illustrated Guide to South Indian Classical Music New Delhi Oxford University Press 1999 p 264 Tribute Lost Landmark of Chennai Madras Musings We Care for Madras that is Chennai 6 January 2020 Stamps 2010 Department of Posts Government of India Archived from the original on 14 August 2013 Retrieved 2 August 2013 Sources editSubbaRao T V Studies in Indian Music Asia Publishing House London 1962 Ayyangar R R History of South Indian Carnatic Music Published by the author Madras 1972 Pesch Ludwig The Illustrated Guide to South Indian Classical Music New Delhi Oxford University Press 1999 nbsp This Indian music related biographical article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Veenai Dhanammal amp oldid 1176385464, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
