Nirmala Rajasekar - Veena

Melbourne Veena Festival 2022 is co-presented by MKS Spices'n things and The Boite, Melbourne.    / theboite  

This year's festival celebrates the centenary of Mahamahopadhyaya Padmasri Dr Emani Shankara Shastry.

The Festival's 2022 Digital Edition is proud to present a grand veena recital by Smt Nirmala Rajasekar from the USA: supported on the violin by Sri VVS Murari, on the mridangam by Sri Thanjavur Murugabhoopathi and on the ghatam by Sri S.V. Ramani.

Nirmala Rajasekar is one of the premier Saraswathi veena players in the world today. A dynamic and vibrant musician, she performs in the leading venues in India and around the world, including Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav (Pune), the Music Academy (Chennai), Carnegie Hall (New York), United Nations (New York) and the Rumi International Festival (Turkey). An established vocalist and well-known composer, Nirmala is seen internationally as a "Carnatic Ambassador" and leader in forging new paths on the Saraswati Veena. She is a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, the highest honor in the arts.

Born in Chennai on December 11, Nirmala began her performing career at the age of 13. She trained with veteran Gurus Devakottai Shri Narayana Aiyyangar, Smt. Kamala Aswathama, Smt. G.Chennamma, Smt E.P. Alamelu, and Shri A.D. Zachariah, before coming under the guidance of veteran Vidhushi Prof. Smt. Kalpakam Swaminathan, with whom she studied for nearly 30 years. Nirmala has also been mentored by Veena Maestro Dr. S. Balachander in several aspects of music and in the presentation of lectures and demonstrations. Nirmala has studied vocal music with Gurus Shri Prof. T R Subramanyam, Shri B. Sitarama Sarma, and Shri Calcutta K.S.Krishnamurthy. She has had the good fortune of receiving guidance from violin legends Shri M.S. Anantharaman (in concert presentation methods) and Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman (in the study of his Varnams and Thillanas). She continues to be guided by eminent musicologist and composer Dr. B.M. Sundaram in her research projects, a journey that began in 2006 with the story of Shakuntala from Abhijnanashakuntalam, the great Sanskrit play by poet Kalidasa. Her music highlights the rich parampara of her Gurus. Her unique and creative presentation style has won her many followers across the world.

Nirmala has performed at several world-renowned venues including Siri Fort (New Delhi), Carnegie Hall, United Nations (New York), Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav (Pune), the Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Kalakshetra (Chennai), Gayana Samaja (Bengaluru), Chembur Fine Arts (Mumbai), Kolkotta Performing Arts Festival (Kolkotta), Rumi International Festival (Konya, Turkey), Musee Rietburg (Zurich, Switzerland) and many other venues in India, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Indonesia and Singapore. She is regularly featured in the world-famous Chennai Music Festival in December, performing solos and Jugalbandhis with Carnatic and Hindustani legends. She has performed for world luminaries such as His Excellency the President of India late Dr. Abdul Kalam and Jazz great Ornette Coleman. Nirmala has been on the panel of artists of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations since 1987. She has performed for Sangeet Natak Akademy events, such as the Maharana Kumbh Parishad in Udaipur.

Many institutions have recognized Nirmala for her contributions; some of them are listed here: in 2006, the doyen of Carnatic Music Dr. Balamurali Krishna, who supported her work for several years, conferred upon her the title "Naadha Kala Vipanchee." She has received several awards from leading organizations - The Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Bangalore Gayana Samaja, Chennai Cultural Trust; Vocational Excellence Award (Rotary Club International), Veena Sudar Oli, Women of Substance Award 2014, Veena Kala Vithakar (Veenalayam Toronto), and a Lifetime Achievement Award (India Association of Minnesota). The Delhi Telugu Academy recognized Nirmala as "Prathibha Puraskar." Nirmala was conferred the "Swararaga Saragyar" Award from his Holiness Shri Andavan Swamy by Shri Panchamukha Anjaneyar Festival, "Asthana Vidwan" by the Hindu Society of Minnesota, and "Gandharva Vidhyadara" Award from Irai Pani Manram Chennai. At the famed Cleveland Aradhana USA, Nirmala was awarded the TRS Memorial Award for excellence in teaching. She is a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, the highest honor in the arts. Nirmala has been awarded numerous grants and fellowships by leading American organizations. She is the first Indian musician to receive the Bush Fellowship and the McKnight Fellowship.