Thanjavur Muktha, also spelt Mukta and often referred as Mukthamma, (1914–2007) was one of the foremost representatives of the

Veena Dhanammal Veenai Dhanammal () (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 Saraswati veena. The prefix "Veenai" in her ...

school of

Carnatic Music Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

. She, along with her elder sister T. Brinda, formed one of the first women duo singers in Carnatic Music.

Early life

Mukta's grandmother, the legendary

Veenai Dhanammal Veenai Dhanammal () (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 Saraswati veena. The prefix "Veenai" in her ...

, 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

style, a style of

known for its unhurried, alluring movements, as also for its use of intricate gamakas (graces) in the handling of

raga A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. It is central to classical Indian music. Each raga consists of an array of melodic structures with musical motifs; and, fro ...

s (modes). Additionally, Muktha (along with Brinda) trained for a substantial length of time under Kanchipuram Naina Pillai 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

, 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 9 November 1935) is an Indian 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 earl ...

, Dr Ritha Rajan, Smt Rama Ravi (Ramaa Ravi), and S. Sowmya. Muktha was a recipient of the

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IAST: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recogni ...

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 {{carnatic-music-stub