Veenai RANGANAYAKI RAJAGOPALAN

[chandru2008]

Disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Late Sri Karaikudi Veenai Sambasiva Iyer, the first recipient of Presidential Award for Carnatic Instrumental Music. Started training in the strict Gurukula system from the early age of two. The training continued till the death of the Guru in 1958.Her first performance was held in Karaikudi under the President-ship of the veteran Congressman Late Dr. Subramaniam of Karaikudi in aid of the Congress building at Madras.

Her first All India Radio Broadcasting was in the year 1940 along with her Guru in the Tiruchirapalli Station of All India Radio. Started giving solo performances in the All India Radio from 1953 onwards.Has taken part in the All India Radio Sangeetha Sammelan at Calcutta in the year 1975, atVisakhapatnam in 1978, at Calcutta in 1981, at Karnool in 1984, at Tanjore in 1992 and at Bombay in 1996

Presented with a Silver casket by the Late Shri. Prakasa, the then Governor of Madras whileaccompanying her Guru in the 26th Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Madras Music Academy in the year1952.Was selected by the Music Academy as the best Veena player and presented with a Veena by the then Governor of Mysore, Late Sri. Dharma Veera, I.C.S. in the year 1970.

Awarded the title of "Kalaimamani" by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1979.On 26th Jan. 1984 in a function conducted under the auspices of Balasubramania Sabha, Chennai - 28, the
Late Dr. Rukumani Devi Arundale conferred the title 'VEENA VISARADHA'.

Mami was also honored by Cleveland Aradhana last year at Chennai.

Mami is the personification of Humility and simplicity.