by her student Dr. Swarna Khuntia
[quote]Born in a traditional musician family in 1937 Dr.N.Rajam started learning violin at the age of four from her father Shri. Narayan Iyer who himself was a very good violinist and veena player. Her initial training in violin was in Karnatic style and because of her sharp intelligence she started playing the Vernam within one year of her training. Strict discipline and rigorous training of her father made her to broadcast from the Madras Radio Station at the age of nine. In her second phase of training she got a rare opportunity to learn the intricacies of raag development from the renowned vocalist, Ex –Principal of Madras College Of Music, Shri.Massurri Subramanium Iyer and also she has accompanied with him in his concerts several times. During this period she participated in the music competition organized by Madras Sangeet Academy and won First Prize and Gold Medal also. She has got the opportunity to learn the basics of Hindustani Music from Shri.L.R.Kelkar who was fortunately in Madras that time.
Apart from her music training Dr.Rajam completed Intermediate as a private candidate from Banaras Hindu University with Ist division. Later she completed B.A and M.A in Sanskrit from B.H.U and B.Music From Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and M.Music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad.
While learning from Shri.Kelkarji, Dr.Rajam got a chance to listen to the gramophone record of Pandit Omkarnath Thakur and from that very moment she started dreaming to become the disciple of Panditji and at last that dream came true in 1955 when she met and played violin in front of him. Panditji was quite impressed to notice his gayaki on Rajam’s violin and it was on account of this excellent technique and rendition Pt.Omkarnath Thakur accepted her as his disciple.
In 1957 she got an opportunity to accompany her Guruji Pandit.Omkarnath Thakur in one of his concert, which was a cherished moment for her and after that she has accompanied with him in almost all concerts.
In 1959 Rajamji joined as a lecturer in violin at Banaras Hindu University and her training from Panditji was continued. During this period Dr.Rajam completed her PhD on the topic “A comparative study of the Musical System of Northern and southern Indiaâ€