MA Jyothi

M.A.Jyothi is a versatile musician, proficient in Carnatic violin and vocal music. Her initiation into music began at home, from her mother Neeraja Achuta Rao, an accomplished teacher, and daughter of Sri H. Yoganarasimham, renowned scholar-composer of Mysore. Jyothi began her violin training under Kalaimamani Sri M.N. Ganesha Pillai at Neyveli alongside whom she gave her first violin performance at the age of 16. Later, she trained under Sri Mysore Mahadevappa. Jyothi had the good fortune to learn from the great violin maestro Padmabhushana Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman who introduced her to the Lalgudi baani. Her musical sensibilities were finely honed under his tutelage. Jyothi has accompanied several musicians of yesteryear years including flautist V Desikachar, Prof V Ramaratnam, Yadugiri and Mahalakshmi, etc. She has also provided violin accompaniment to CA Sridhar, Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar, Dr. RN Srilatha, Koviladi Kala, Vasudha Keshav, NR Prashant, Mysore Chandan Kumar, Aishwarya Vidya Raghunath, Kalavathy Avadoot, Yogakirtana, Chaitra Sairam, etc. She has also played jugalbandi concerts with Hindustani flautist Sameer Rao. She has performed in London, Delhi, Trichur, Tamil Nadu and all over Karnataka. Jyothi is a graded artiste of All India Radio in both violin and vocal music. She learnt vocal music from Gurus Dr Sukanya Prabhakar and Sangeeta Kalacharya Neela Ramgopal. Carnatic music is primarily meant to be sung, hence, her added knowledge of vocal music has shaped her violin playing technique, ease of accompaniment, as well as emoting, a very crucial part of any performing art. Jyothi holds a PhD in Education and has worked as a teacher educator for about 15 years. With a strong background in pedagogy and Guru-Shishya parampara, Jyothi makes her classes fun for children and adults, while inculcating rigour needed for practising Carnatic Music at the same time. Jyothi is a dedicated teacher of violin based in Mysore. Several students are trained in the art of violin playing and singing at her school Srujana Kala Mandira, started by her mother in 2006. Students of all ages, abilities and background are welcome in her school. The school frequently organises events for students to showcase their skills and take part in productions.