Kanyakumari
Kumari Avasarala Kanyakumari is a top-ranking Carnatic violinist, with an experience spanning over 60 years, is popular not only as a soloist and an accompanist but also as an innovator and organizer of Carnatic instrumental ensembles. She has a niche for retaining the core values of classicism in her creativity. As a Guru, she has meticulously nurtured and trained students all over the world.
Tutelage
She is the sishya (disciple) of three legendary gurus - Sri Ivaturi Vijayeshwar Rao, Sangitha Kalanidhi Sri M. Chandrashekaran and Sangitha Kalanidhi Dr M.L.Vasanthakumari.
Vidwan
Sri Ivaturi Vijayeshwar Rao
Sangitha Kalanidhi
Sri M. Chandrashekaran
Sangitha Kalanidhi
Dr M.L.Vasanthakumari
Additional Information
In a male dominated music scene, she quickly trailblazed her way into the field by establishing herself as one of the best violinists. She has been widely acknowledged for her outstanding technique and clarity, sweet bowing, unbridled creativity and strict adherence to sahityam (lyrics).
Kumari Avasarala Kanyakumari also dons the hat as a renowned composer and tunesmith. Her thillanas are extremely popular with rasikas. She has the unique distinction of being the only female musician to have created ragams - such as the Saptadri ragams (7 ragams named after the 7 hills of Tirumala), Bharath (created to commemorate the 50th year of Indian Independence), Trimurthi (a one of a kind ragam with just 3 swaras) to name a few.
She has performed across the world in various prestigious festivals and venues such as the Berlin Jazz festival, John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to name a few.
Innovations
Creating new ragas: In 1997, to celebrate 50 years of independence, she created a new raga called “Bharat” and dedicated it to the nation. Kum. A Kanyakumari has created seven new ragas, each named after one of the seven holy hills of Tirumala. They are Venkatadri, Vrushabhadri, Garudadri, Narayanadri, Anjanadri, Neeladri, and Sheshadri. She has composed a musical piece using these ragas and has set to tune seven different Kritis of Annamacharya in each one of these ragas.
She has also created many individual ragas such as Gomatha, Trimurthi, Mahalakshmi, Ganga, and Godavari.
As a composer:
A. Kanyakumari has created and composed in Raga GANGA in support of Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Ganga revival campaign named “SWACCH SUR GANGA” and also “SWACCH BHARAT” (in six different Indian regional languages) in her own Raga creation “BHARAT”. The videos of these projects are intended for social causes and awakening. Both these projects are examples of A. Kanyakumari's patriotic urges.
A. Kanyakumari has composed the theme music for the Godavari Pushkaras 2015, a rare phenomenon that occurs once every 144 years, and also released an Audio-Visual DVD.
She has created a raga Malika piece of 108 different ragas, performed live in Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha.
Unique concepts and creations:
VadhyaLahari (1988): A unique instrumental ensemble of the violin, nadawaram, and veena or flute that has performed concerts worldwide.
The Trishthaisangamam (1990): An innovative program featuring three violins played simultaneously in three different octaves, well-received by audiences.
Shathavadyasammelanam: An ensemble of 100 instrumentalists performing live 3 on a single stage, a landmark achievement. Such instrumental ensembles, ranging from 25 to 100 violins, are highly sought after by various sabhas. She is the first female violinist to conduct programs of such magnitude.
CRICMUSIC: Introducing Carnatic music in cricket with short tunes played on the violin for different events of the game. This concept formed a major part of a lecture demonstration at The Music Academy of Madras.
Non-stop marathon performance: The first female violinist to give a non-stop marathon performance for 29 hours in 1988 in Chennai. All-ladies artist theme: She introduced concerts featuring all female artists, including percussionists. After the success of this theme, it was adopted by many other musicians.
Akhanda Ganam: Conducted “PRAYER FOR RAIN” in Chennai, Tirupathi, and Vishakhapatnam by playing the composition “Amba Kamakshi” of Saint Shyama Shastri 108, 56, and 27 times during extreme summer and water crisis situations, often resulting in immediate rain.
Learning tutorial VCD: Created the first of its kind learning tutorial VCD for violin students.
A Kanyakumari's innovations to Carnatic music are vast, encompassing traditional adherence, innovative compositions, and groundbreaking performances, making her an iconic figure in the music world.
Contributions
Sustainance and Propagation of Carnatic Instrumental Music:
A. Kanyakumari has championed the cause of promoting Carnatic instrumental music globally, addressing the dominance of vocal music in the current scenario. Wherever she travels and performs, she educates and encourages audiences, institutions, and connoisseurs of music to support solo instrumental music equally as vocal music. Her initiatives with SPICMACAY and lecture demonstrations in educational institutions highlight the significance of instrumental music.
Practicing Music with a Cause:
A. Kanyakumari has always engaged in national and social causes through her music. She has contributed musically and monetarily to various causes such as the Kargil Relief Fund and initiatives for rain, Swachh Ganga, and Swachh Bharat missions. Her music has supported national integration, social upliftment, spiritual endeavors, and patriotic causes.
Contribution to the Field:
A. Kanyakumari upholds the lineage of violinists and is the torchbearer of the Dwaram style. She has preserved their Gaayaki style of playing the violin while introducing new bowing and fingering techniques that many have adopted today. Her students, whom she is confident will elevate the art form, are highly sought-after accompanists in Carnatic music. Her selfless teaching in the present commercial world is a significant contribution to Carnatic music. Besides performing and teaching, Kanyakumari has also enriched the history of Carnatic music by creating ragas that will inspire future generations. She has tuned several ancient compositions of Saint Annamacharya under the TTD project and many other compositions out of personal interest.
A. Kanyakumari's dedication to Carnatic music, innovative contributions, and selfless teaching make her an iconic figure in the field.