The following are profiles of the recipients of this year's Sangita Kala Acharya and TTK Award instituted by The Music Academy.
N.S. Jayalakshmi
Born in Tiruvaiyyaru on June 15, 1933, to Navanitam Sarangapani Iyengar and Champakammal, Jayalakshmi or Jaya Teacher as she is more popularly known, became a disciple of Rukmini Devi Arundale at Kalakshetra. As a student, she came under the guidance of stalwarts such as Karaikkal Saradambal, Mylapore Gowri Ammal and Dhandayudhapani Pillai. She also acquired a diploma in music and B.A. degree in English and History.
Jayalakshmi was involved in several of the dance productions of Kalakshetra even during Rukmini Devi’s lifetime. Her essaying of the role of Kurathi in ‘Kutrala Kuravanji’ is considered unsurpassed. She later became a teacher at Kalakshetra and helped shape several youngsters, many of whom later became well-known names in the world of dance. Jayalakshmi’s scholarship in dance theory is recognised by several universities and cultural organisations in India and abroad, and they have utilised her services. She continues to remain a much sought after teacher. The Music Academy, Madras, confers on her the title Sangita Kala Acharya .
Trivandrum R. Venkataraman
Born on August 31, 1938, at Cheranmahadevi to Ramasubba Sastrigal and Kamakshi Ammal, Venkataraman began training at the age of four in vocal music under his father’s guidance. At age of eight, he began learning the veena from Lakshmi G, Krishnan and later apprenticed himself under K.S. Narayanaswami. Joining the Swati Tirunal College of Music at Trivandrum, he was guided in vocal music by Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and C.S. Krishna Iyer. After graduation, he became Assistant Professor for veena at the college. He joined the AIR Trivandrum in 1964 and served there till his retirement in 1996.
He has given numerous performances and was also a member of the veena-violin-venu trio along with Lalgudi G Jayaraman and N. Ramani.
Venkataraman has been training a number of students in vocal music and on the veena. He is presently the director for veena at the Teachers’ College of Music run by the Music Academy, Madras. The Academy confers on him the title Sangita Kala Acharya .
Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma
Born on June 15, 1938, at Mummidivaram to Aswatthanarayana Murty and Kanakam, Mallikarjuna Sharma was initially trained on the violin by his father and by P.P. Somayajulu. He later apprenticed himself under Nedunuri Krishnamurthi. Having qualified with Government diplomas in vocal and instrumental music, he joined the Government College of Music and Dance, Hyderabad, in 1961, as a lecturer. He became the principal in 1984 and retired from there in 1996. During these years, he regularly gave vocal and violin performances on the AIR and participated in music symposia besides being a concert artiste. He was also involved as an examiner and in the setting of examination papers for several universities.
Sharma is the author of several books and has written numerous papers and articles which have been published in magazines and journals. He is presently involved in giving free lec-dems and conducting workshops in order to further the cause of Carnatic music. The Music Academy, Madras confers the TTK Award for 2009 on him.
