Sreeni Rajarao
(I have based this article on the biography of Bhairavi Lakshminaranappa, written by
L Raja Rao, published by India Book House, Bangalore, 1975)
Lineage:
Bhairavi Lakshminaranappa (also known as Veene Lakshminaranappa) was a vainika, gayaka and a vaggeyakara from Mysore. He was one of the luminaries of the period who inspired celebrated poet B M Srikantiah to exclaim the beautiful phrase “veeneya bedagidu mysooruâ€, which would mean “Mysore, that is the splendour of veena.â€
Lakshminaranappa continued the family tradition of being a vainika, gayaka and a vaggeyakara. Great Grandfather Krishnappa, Grandfather Chikka Lakshminaranappa, Father Veene Krishnappa and Uncle Seenappa were musicians patronized by the Odeyar dynasty. Though recognized as Veene Seenappa due to family history, Seenappa was a violinist, and he had the distinction of being a Guru to the then Maharani. Lakshminaranappa and younger brother Venkataramiah were trained in both vocal and veena by uncle (doddappa) Seenappa and father Krishnappa. Venkataramaiah had chosen to focus only on vocal music.
Lakshminaranappa was around 18 years of age when when both his father and uncle passed within a short span of time. His mother Satyabhama was keen to ensure that Lakshminaranappa continued training under an expert, and she arranged for training under the maestro Veene Sheshanna. At the same time, Lakshminaranappa became the first disciple of Vasudevacharya who had just returned to Mysore after his stint with Patnam.
Performing phase:
In due course, Lakshminaranappa had established himself as a worthy successor to his lineage and to his illustrious Gurus. Lakshminaranappa and brother Venkataramaiah were known to perform together and were featured regularly around Mysore.
The brothers also continued the family legacy of weekly sangeeta seve (musical offerings) in the Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple in the palace premises.
Maharaja
Nalvadi Krishnaraja Odeyar was an admirer of their music and facilitated their performances in the navaratri concerts.
The brothers also served the palace drama company – Lakshminaranappa performed on the harmonium and Venkataramaiah was as an actor. The troupe included Bidaram Krishnappa, Rachappa, Chikka Ramarao, Belakavadi Srinivasa Iyengar (senior) and
T Chowdaiah.
In 1914, Lakshminaranappa was inducted as an Asthana Vidwan in the court of Maharaja Nalvadi Krishna Raja Odeyar.
Besides teaching in the music school run by the palace, Lakshminaranappa continued to give public performances.
Madras 1922 – Bhairavi Lakshminaranappa
Srinivasarangachar , a connoisseur in Mysore and a great admirer of Lakshminaranappa’s music, was keen to introduce Lakshminaranappa to the discerning audience of Madras.
In 1922, Lakshminaranappa visited Madras and from the very first performance, Lakshminaranappa had won the appreciation of the discerning Madras rasikas. He was requested to include Bhairavi in all his performances!
The success of his concerts required Lakshminaranappa to seek an extension to the two week’s leave granted by the palace authorities. With utmost struggle, the leave was extended two times. Venerable Bidaram Krishnappa exercised his influence with an argument that Lakshminaranappa was bringing fame to the Mysore court, and facilitated an extension of the leave. A letter that Bidaram had written in this context is available (with me) even to this day! The sojourn was now well into the third month - it had become extremely difficult to get the leave extended for the third time, and the palace authorities had made it clear that this would be the last extension of the leave.
It was now time for Lakshminaranappa to return to Mysore. Chella Guruswamy Chetty, a noted patron and founder of Venu Gana Sabha in Madras had organized the final concert of the series at Chella Hall on December 14th, 1922.
Velu Naicker accompanied on the mridanga. The audience included Lakshminaranappa’s close friend Tiger Varadachar. Lakshminaranappa gave a sterling performance and presented glorious raga and tana in Bhairavi, and played his favourite pallavi “Bhajanaseyarada sri ramuni anudinamu†in tishrajati atta tala.
Lakshminaranappa was honoured and presented with a big gold medal with the inscription “Bhairavi Lakshminaranappa, Mysore Asthana vainika vidwanâ€
In 1924, Lakshminaranappa was part of the delegation from Mysore palace that was sent to Belgaum for the Indian National Congress Session . Sheshanna led this group that performed for Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders.
A special musical association
Tiger Varadachar had lived in Mysore for about seven years and during this time, Lakshminaranappa and Tiger had developed a strong friendship. Often, they would engage in musical sessions and enjoyed each other’s music. Belakavadi Srinivasa Iyengar (senior) was the violinist in the trio. Lakshminaranappa and Belakavadi were also known to have given numerous performances in Mysore during those days.
Muttiah Bhagavatar was another admirer of Lakshminaranappa’s music, and Bhagavatar’s wife trained in veena under Lakshminaranappa.
Being of reclusive nature, Lakshminaranappa had been reluctant to pose for pictures. However, it was at Bhagavatar’s insistence that Lakshminaranappa cooperated for a portrait session at A V and Son Studio in Mysore!
Musical style and admirers
Lakshminaranappa was known to be a traditionalist in his style, and he was known to have displayed great manodharma in playing raga and tana. Smt.Tirumale Rajamma, (well known with the pen name Bharati) a disciple of Veene Sheshanna, has documented that Lakshminaranappa’s playing was gently soft while being a treasure house of gamakas, and rich in a technique aptly showcasing the core essence of the raga.
Lakshminaranappa was known to have won the admiration of fellow vidwans and general public alike. Guru Veene Sheshanna and Veene Subbanna had openly shown their admiration for Lakshminaranappa.
Noted vainika and music critic Rajasri has documented that in a 1956 interview
Sri. Vasudevacharya reminisced about a concert at the old sanskrt college in Bangalore in the 1920s wherein Lakshminaranappa accompanied him. Vasudevacharya fondly recalled Lakshminaranappa’s performance in that particular concert (it was a vocal concert), and remembered that he had spoken highly of his shishya after that concert.
Some of the well known names in Mysore from that period, like Poorna Raghavendra Rao, N S Subba Rao, T G Rama Iyer, U D Narayana Murthy, H Y Yoga Narasimham,
R S KrishnaSwami Iyer (R K Narayan’s father), Prof. Abhayambal, Amaldar Keshavayya were known to be great admirers of Lakshminaranappa’s music.
Lakshminaranappa was known to host Friday evening chamber concerts in house and renowned artists K Venkatappa, himself an excellent vainika, and T Chowdaiah often performed. Others who performed in these events included Asthana Vidwans B Shivarudrappa (violin), MuttuSwami Tevar and Venkatesha Tevar, Dasappa and Sheshappa, Sosale Ramadas.
B Devendrappa had shown special pride in arranging concerts to showcase Lakshminaranappa’s music to visiting artistes.
Disciples
T G Rama Iyer, U D Narayana Murthy and N Narasimhamurthy were long time disciples of Lakshminaranappa. Dr. Abhayambal, who is credited to be one of the earliest performers of veena in foreign countires was a disciple. Smt. Sharadamma was another disciple. Neelamma Kadambi had also trained for some time under Lakshminaranappa. Chowdaiah’s sister Smt. Meenakshamma was also a disciple.
Lakshminaranappa’s sons and disciples L Raja Rao and L Gopala Rao (recognized
as Mysore Brothers in the 1930s and 1940s) carried on the family tradition into the next generation.
Vaggeyakara Lakshminaranappa
Four of Lakshminaranappa’s compositions are available to us
1. Srinivasam bhajeshrita kalpa bhooruham in dharmavati
2. gajaanana paahi satatam in gamana shrama
3. paahimaam raghupate in dhenuka
4. shadanana shibhivahana in kamach
Iconic kannada writer A N Krishna Rao (well recognized as a na kRu) was an admirer of Lakshminaranappa’s music. He has documented that Lakshminaranappa’s name did not shine as much as it should have, mainly owing to his extremely simple nature and a sincere desire not to seek fame or fortune.
Lakshminaranappa passed away on January 15th, 1934 - it happened to be Purandara Dasa’s death anniversary day.
Lakshminaranappa was relatively young at 56 years of age and had lived a life rich in music.
