Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh – Podcast
Senior Saraswathi Veena exponent Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh is a sixth generation musician and one of the youngest vainika-s to receive All India Radio’s highest rating of A Top. In this podcast, she reflects on the situation at large, talks about doing online concerts, continuing her popular Cup O’Carnatic series, teaching and more.
The niece of Sangita Kalanidhi Lalgudi Sri. Jayaraman, Dr. Jayanthi attributes what she is today to her maternal aunt and guru, Smt. Padmavathy Ananthagopalan. She was first introduced to music by her mother Lalgudi Smt. Rajalakshmi and she also trained later under Veena exponent Dr. S. Balachander.
This podcast is part of the Quarantunes series, featuring Indian Classical Musicians, recorded during the worldwide shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Released one by one, the full series is at https://lakshmianand.com
Dr. Jayanthi has composed several pieces, including for musical and dance productions. She has engaged in unique collaborations including with Violinist Sri. R. Kumaresh and Tabla exponent Ustad Zakir Hussain. She is the founder of the Indian National Orchestra (INO) that features 21 star musicians from all over India.
She has performed in prestigious venues under august auspices throughout the world. Besides the Tamil Nadu Government’s Kalaimamani award and several others, she is an eight-time recipient of The Madras Music Academy’s award for veena.
A researcher, she holds a Doctorate for her work on ‘Styles and Playing Techniques of the Saraswathi Veena’ and conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations around the world.
Well. Well. Dr .Mrs Jayanthi Kumaresh, was able to throw her heart out, on important aspects of life, covering a wide spectrum of events within a very short time. I see her most as a Environmentalist, rather than a Veena exponent. She nicely zoomed from a Macro World, to a Micro part of the larger India, to Bangalore , and the person Jayanthi.There is always a sound base to any artist, whether a vocalist or a instrumentalist. Violin combined well with Veena in her life, and so also in Concerts. The Tabla player Dr.Zakir Hussain is another great, to talk about. As Jayanthi feels, without having any idea of What will be tomorrows World , we all live on Hopes, continue with our routine, duties, prayers, concern for the elders and so on. Whether it is online teaching for musicians or for student community in general, the technology is making the impossible, possible ..as otherwise it would be difficult to remain 24×7, for over 45 days, and to think of the mental agony, fear for tomorrow’s survival .. will demolish the very idea of living on this planet. Rightly said, the air outside is pure, no honking by vehicles, sometimes even as big an animal like Elephant , and lion, make their way into cities. Variety of birds , seen in our neighbourhood chirping, the kids enjoying the environment outside with pure joy. The Children are referred to as parrots by Poet Bharati, which Jayanthi played, the few lines of “Chinnan chiru Kiliyae”. Carona has also opened our eyes in understanding life better, how to be accommodative with others, how to be compassionate, how to share what we have with others, and cry in heart for the people who have no roof over their head, savings to support themselves, and no job to do even as daily labour. Jayanthi remembered Kanchi Mahaperiyava , and many find comfort and solace by bringing the saints face before one’s eyes. We hope this set back will also pause and bring happiness in the lives of all. India is a spiritual land , for centuries, and that will save us to come out of this dreaded disease is also sure.