Biography
Born into a family where music has been the mainstay for the last seven generations, Jayanthi started playing the Veena when she was barely 3. Winning her way through several laurels and awards right from her childhood, Jayanthi was soon one of the youngest artistes in Veena to receive A-TOP grading from All India Radio (the highest grade offered by the only grading body in India).
In recognition of her artistry, the Government of Tamilnadu has honoured her with the title of Kalaimamani. She has also been the recipient of prestigious awards like the Best Main Musician, Best Veena concert of the year, Sathyashree, Veena Nada Mani and the like.
Jayanthi has been invited by prestigious organisations across the world like Theatre de la Ville in Paris, the UN and World Music Centre in New York, Music Guimet in Paris, Woodstock in the United States, Indo-German Societies, the Indian embassy at Sharjah and several such platforms to represent the National instrument of India – the Saraswathi Veena.
Apart from solo performances, Jayanthi has performed several jugalbandhis and has also collaborated with musicians from other types of music in her own World music band called Indian Spice. As a composer, Jayanthi has scored music for a host of dance productions and musicals that have premiered in India and abroad, including Krishna Bhakthi, Abbakarani and Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. She has also composed for the National South Asian Youth orchestra of the UK.
Jayanthi is the disciple of her maternal aunt Smt. Padmavathy Ananthagopalan and Veena Maestro Dr.S.Balachander. Her maternal uncle, the Violin Legend Lalgudi Sri. Jayaraman is a great influence and inspiration for her.
Jayanthi has recorded several CDs for companies all over the world like Times Music, Music Today, Sense World, Earthsync, Navras, Home Records etc. She recently came out with an album called 'Mysterious Duality' in which for the first time one artiste and one instrument have created an orchestral effect. This album focuses on the multi-dimensional persona of the self. Mysterious duality is her tribute to the most majestic instrument that India has contributed to the world – the Veena.
Jayanthi was awarded a Doctorate by the University of Mysore for her work on the subject "Analytical Study of Different Banis and Playing techniques of the Saraswathi Veena".
Jayanthi has evolved her own identity and style by making the Veena her voice in expressing many a new musical thought to the audiences across the globe. She has today made the Veena the focal point of musical essence and experience.
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