Thanjavur Muktha, also spelt Mukta and often referred as Mukthamma, (1914–2007) was one of the foremost representatives of the
Veena Dhanammal
Veenai Dhanammal ( ta, வீணை தனம்மாள்) (1867–1938) was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the S ...
school of
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...
. She, along with her elder sister
T. Brinda
Thanjavur Brinda (1912-1996) was one of the representatives of the Veenai Dhanammal school of Carnatic Music. She was primarily a vocalist, although she also played the Veena. She is affectionately referred to as 'Brindamma', by her fans.
Musica ...
, formed one of the first women duo singers in Carnatic Music.
Early life
Mukta's grandmother, the legendary
Veenai Dhanammal
Veenai Dhanammal ( ta, வீணை தனம்மாள்) (1867–1938) was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the S ...
, and mother Kamakshi were from Devadasi tradition. Kamakshi's companion Soundararaja Iyengar was Mukta's father. Mukta grew up in Dhanammal's extended family.
Musical Influences
Muktha had much of her initial training from her mother Kamakshi. This training was in the
Veena Dhanammal
Veenai Dhanammal ( ta, வீணை தனம்மாள்) (1867–1938) was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the S ...
style, a style of
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...
known for its unhurried, alluring movements, as also for its use of intricate
gamakas (graces) in the handling of
raga
A ''raga'' or ''raag'' (; also ''raaga'' or ''ragam''; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. The ''rāga'' is a unique and central feature of the classical Indian music tradit ...
s (modes). Additionally, Muktha (along with Brinda) trained for a substantial length of time under
Kanchipuram Naina Pillai
Naina Pillai (1887–1934), born Kanchipuram Subrahmaniam Pillai, was an Indian musician. Though Naina is a feminine name, he was called 'naayana' but spelled 'naina'; and his real name was anyway Subrahmaniam. As a performer, he got the nickname ...
and his aunt Kanchipuram Dhanakoti Ammal, whose style of music was marked by agility and robustness in laya (rhythm). After her training under Naina Pillai, Muktha learnt from her aunt Lakshmiratnam. The legendary
Veena Dhanammal
Veenai Dhanammal ( ta, வீணை தனம்மாள்) (1867–1938) was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the S ...
, who was Muktha's grandmother, herself taught her some compositions.
Mukta gave her first performance at the age of eight. She used to perform mostly with her elder sister T Brinda in the first half of her long career. After the duo parted, she performed in concerts alone for 34 years. She was the last disciple of Veena Dhanammal and her last concert was in Cleveland in 2003.
Legacy
Mukta was a very generous teacher to several musicians, the most prominent among them being
Vedavalli
Vidushi R. Vedavalli (born 9th November 1935) is a Carnatic vocalist.
Early life
R. Vedavalli was born in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India to Ramaswami Iyengar and Padmasani Ammal.
Career
R. Vedavalli's talent for music was identified early on by ...
, Dr Ritha Rajan, Smt Rama Ravi (Ramaa Ravi), and
S. Sowmya
S. Sowmya (born 16 April 1969) is a Carnatic music singer. She learnt music initially from her father Dr. Srinivasan, and later from Dr. S. Ramanathan and Smt.T. Muktha. She received the Sangeetha Kalanidhi title by Madras Music Academy in 2 ...
.
Muktha was a recipient of the
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IPA: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama in Englis ...
awarded in 1972.
Mukta died in Chennai on 11 March 2007 at the age of 92, leaving behind a daughter.
References
External links
Columbus Carnatic
Women Carnatic singers
Carnatic singers
Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1914 births
2007 deaths
20th-century Indian singers
20th-century Indian women singers
Singers from Chennai
Women musicians from Tamil Nadu
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