Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao

Maestro Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao (Born 25 May 1938 - Died 19 October 2014), eminent Indian Carnatic Classical Music violinist. Born in Visakhapatnam to Sri Ivaturi Akkiraju Garu and Smt. Rajeswaramma Garu, he was an ardent disciple of Late Sri. Dwaram Narasingarao Naidu garu, who carried forward the Dwaram tradition. He imbued his life with all musical hues and values imparted by his guru. The spectrum of his life consisted of 3 major aspects, namely: Adhyayana (learning), Pradarsana (performance), and Adhyapana (teaching). He joined the Maharaja’s College, Vizianagaram in 1947 at the tender age of 9 to learn Violin. Later he continued his assiduous learning for nearly 12 years under the tutelage of Violin virtuoso, Late Sri Dwaram Narasingarao Naidu garu, in the true gurukula system and he created a niche for himself in his guru’s heart. He obtained his diploma in Violin with distinction from Andhra University in 1965 for which he was awarded the Dwaram Venkataswami Naidu prize. Giving his maiden public performance in 1950 at the age of 12 and winning both public acclaim and prizes in several competitions, Sri Vijyeswara Rao gave his maiden performance over All India Radio, vijayawada in 1956 at the age of 18. Within the short span of a year All India Radio awarded him ‘B-High’ grade in violin. As an ardent follower of Dwaram style, he has studied various techniques of violin playing and incorporated them into his performances. He was awarded ‘A” grade in 1986 by All India Radio He was appointed as staff Artist (Violinist) at AIR Calicut in 1970. In 1974 he got transferred to AIR, Visakhapatnam, to be part of its first batch of staff artists and remained there until his retirement in 1992. He also worked as visiting professor for M.A. Music in Andhra University in the year 1995. Sri Vijayeswara Rao’s performances in various AIR and TV programs and reputed sabhas have earned him a reputation as an eminent solo artist in Dwaram style as well as a gifted accompanist. Proving his versatility in the field of music, Sri Vijayeswara Rao gave several lecture demonstrations for different music departments. He also composed music or Light Music programmes and conducted Tyagaraja’s Opera, ‘Nauka Charitam’, in AIR. He also conducted music classes ‘Sangeetha Sikhsana’ in AIR. A music performer has a limited obligation and it is hold an audience. A votary of music has a much more challenging responsibility. He has to uphold the values quite in his own generation and pass them on to the generations to come. The soloist and accompanist Vijyeswara Rao succeeded in fulfilling this responsibility as well. He started his teaching career very early age of 14. He started a school, Dwaram Narasingarao Naidu Memorial School Vizianagaram, in 1961 in memory of his beloved guru. Through this school he produced many some of who achieved international acclaim. His return from Calicut in 1974 gave momentum to music movement in Visakhapatnam. His specific efforts in this direction included Teaching, Maintaining an audio library of old masters’ recordings for the benefit of students, Organizing monthly chamber music concerts and Making his residence a home to vintage music every evening. Thus he became an institution by himself and won the confidence of music seekers and the respect of music lovers. He produced a number of vocalists, trained violinists, inspired mridangam artists and enthused vena players. His disciples have become successful performers in India and abroad, teachers are engaged in furthering his musical heritage. He revived the traditional concept of ‘Shatkalam’ singing (geometric progression) and taught it to his disciples who gave demonstrations in prestigious sabhas with his accompaniment. All India Radio, Vijayawada has recorded one ‘Shatkalam’ performance for its archives. He has produced the two Operas of Tyagaraja, Nauka Charitam and Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam in their full text in original ragas and talas.