VV SUBRAHMANYAM

Prof. V. V. Subrahmanyam Prof. V. V. Subrahmanyam (V.V.S.), born in Ernakulam, Kerala, in 1944, is one of the distinguished violinists, composers, teachers, researchers and musicologists of Indian classical music. Born as the eldest son of Vadakkencheri Sri. Veeraraghava Bhagavathar and Smt. Annapoorani Ammal, he belongs to a rich musical lineage associated with the traditions of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar, Maharaja Swathi Tirunal and Saint Sri Thyagaraja. Prof. V.V.S. received his early musical training from his father, Vadakkencheri Sri. Veeraraghava Bhagavathar. He subsequently came under the tutelage of several eminent masters, including Tripunithura Sri. Narayana Iyer, Chembai Sri. Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Musiri Sri. Subramanya Iyer and Padma Vibhushan Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. This distinguished lineage and rigorous training shaped his deeply traditional yet innovative approach to Carnatic music. A Distinguished Performing Career With a musical career spanning more than seven decades, Prof. V.V.S. has established himself as an exceptional soloist and accompanist. He has performed extensively throughout India and abroad and has accompanied virtually all the leading musicians of successive generations. His distinguished list of collaborators includes Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Chittoor Subrahmanya Pillai, Madurai Mani Iyer, G. N. Balasubrahmanyam, the Alathur Brothers, T. R. Mahalingam, M. M. Dandapani Desigar, M. D. Ramanathan, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Palghat K. V. Narayanaswamy, M. S. Subbulakshmi, D. K. Pattammal, M. Balamuralikrishna, T. K. Govinda Rao, D. K. Jayaraman and N. Ramani, among many others. He is particularly revered as a “shadow” accompanist because of his extraordinary ability to follow a vocalist with precision, sensitivity and musical understanding. His accompaniment does not merely support the principal artiste but enhances the overall concert experience. As a soloist, his performances are marked by soulful melody, elegant bowing, impeccable technique and a profound understanding of musical expression. Prof. V.V.S. was the first Indian violinist to perform in the United States at the United Nations, where he appeared with the legendary M. S. Subbulakshmi in 1966. Earlier, in 1964, his performance at the “East-West” encounter in New Delhi earned him special appreciation from the celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who referred to him as “Violin Virtuoso Subrahmanyam.” His international tours have taken him repeatedly to the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Italy, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. UNESCO also released a recording of his performance, described as its first-ever release of a South Indian instrumental concert. Composer and Innovator Prof. V.V.S. is an accomplished composer who has created varnams, kritis, songs, thillanas and bhajans in Tamil, Sanskrit and Hindi. He has also composed poetry in Tamil and set the works of saints and siddhas to music. His creative approach combines respect for tradition with experimentation. He composed music for the thematic dance production SREE, choreographed by the renowned dancer Chandralekha, which received the National Award for Best Music. He has also composed thematic works for the Vaadya-Vrinda of All India Radio, some of which received national recognition. His innovative programmes have explored diverse dimensions of Indian classical music, including Bhajana Sampradaya, Naada Sangamam, the fusion of traditional village tunes with classical music, music appropriate for different instruments, Mind of Great Masters, Panchamukhi (Five Faces of Music) and the evolution of musical forms. One of his most significant contributions is the development of the distinctive “VVS Bhaani” or “VVS style” of violin artistry. Developed through extensive research, experimentation and reflection, this unique approach has influenced generations of musicians and has become widely recognised within the Carnatic music community. His creativity is also reflected in the invention of the ragas Priya Ranjani, Radha Priya and Sanchari. Teacher and Professor Prof. V.V.S. has made an equally significant contribution as a teacher. During 1966–67, he served as a Visiting Performing Artiste at Wesleyan University in the United States. He later served as Professor of Violin at the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Madurai, during 1979 and 1982. His academic and pedagogical abilities have enabled him to train numerous musicians who have gone on to establish themselves as respected performers. Among his prominent disciples are Sri V. V. Ravi, Sri V. V. S. Murari, Sri R. K. Sriram Kumar, Sri B. U. Ganesh Prasad, Mullaivasal Sri Chandramouli, Sri V. V. Srinivasa Rao, Sri Balu Raghuraman and Smt. Sunitha Harisankar. Over the years, he has taught thousands of students in India and abroad, training them in vocal music as well as violin, viola and veena. Hindustani Music In addition to his mastery of Carnatic music, Prof. V.V.S. has also received training in Hindustani classical music, particularly the Kirana Gharana, under Guru Krishnanand. His Hindustani violin performances have been presented at prestigious organisations across India. The Gramophone Company of India (HMV) released his first Hindustani solo violin concert as a cassette album, marking another dimension of his wide-ranging musical career. Scholar, Author and Researcher Prof. V.V.S. combines his artistic accomplishments with a deep scholarly interest in the history, philosophy and science of music. He has authored books and research works dealing with the violin, Indian musical traditions, compositions, mantras and the spiritual dimensions of sound. His published works include Violin Varalaaru, a history of the violin; Violin Vaasippom, dealing with violin-playing techniques; Sathyameva Jeyathe, presenting authentic details about the compositions and writings of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal; The Secrets of Naadha, a research study of thirty songs of Saint Thyagaraja concerning Naadha; Aaruyire, exploring the esoteric meanings of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s celebrated composition “Vatapi Ganapatim”; and Pon Pozhivikkum Dhyaanam, a study of the mantra “Shuklambaradharam” and its perceived relationship to the auditory power of mantra and human functions. He has written extensively for magazines, newspapers and souvenirs and has participated in lectures, seminars, radio and television programmes in India and abroad. He has also conducted lecture-demonstrations and workshops at prestigious international institutions, including universities in Cologne, Hamburg and Osnabrück in Germany and Tritantri Vidhya Peeth in Amsterdam. Research and Social Contribution Prof. V.V.S. has devoted considerable attention to the study of sound, classical music and traditional knowledge. He established “Naadhabrumam,” a centre dedicated to disseminating the results of his research on the sounds of classical music and mantras. He was also associated with the Classical Musicians’ Forum, serving as its Secretary and Vice-President and contributing to the welfare of classical musicians. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous charitable and outreach concerts and events associated with institutions such as the Ramakrishna Mission, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, VHS, Shanmukhananda Sabha and various charitable and public causes. Awards and Honours Prof. V.V.S. has received numerous honours in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian classical music. Among the major government recognitions are the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Government of India in 2005, the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1993, and recognition from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 1988–89. He also received the All India Radio Akashavani Award for his instrumental ensemble Iraivanai Thedi in 1996 and a Senior Fellowship from the Department of Culture for his research project, “Unearthing the Music of the Past/Tradition.” His many institutional honours include Sangeetha Kala Nipuna from Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Sangeetha Sampoorna from Sree Poornathrayeesa Sangeetha Sabha, Mudhra Award of Excellence, Digvijaya Nada Vani, Veerashringala, Arsha Kala Bhushanam, Vani Kala Sudhakara, Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Mutt, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Rotary International, India. Internationally, he has received the Sangita Vidhya Nidhi from the Indian Fine Arts Association of San Diego, Sangeetha Ratnakara from the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, the M. S. Subbulakshmi Memorial Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Committee and Carnatica. Legacy Prof. V. V. Subrahmanyam stands as a rare example of an artiste who has successfully combined tradition, performance, teaching, composition, scholarship and innovation. His profound understanding of Carnatic music, exceptional violin technique, distinctive VVS Bhaani, creative compositions, research into the nature of Naadha, and dedication to teaching have earned him a lasting place in the history of Indian classical music. From accompanying the great masters of the twentieth century to mentoring leading musicians of later generations, from performing at the United Nations to presenting Indian music on international academic platforms, his career reflects an extraordinary commitment to music. His work continues to influence performers, students, researchers and music lovers, ensuring that his contribution to the rich and evolving tradition of Indian classical music remains enduring.