As a top rank artist, Trivandrum R. Venkataraman is revered as one of the finest
exponents of Veena in India. Venkataraman is known for his own style on the Veena, a
style with rare blend of tradition and modernity. With his facile fingering techniques and
innovations, he has proved that Veena is an instrument with great propensity.

Venkataraman started his initial training in vocal carnatic music when he was barely four
years of age, under his father late Shri. Rama Subbha Sastrigal. From the age of eight he
started learning Veena under Smt. Lekshmy G. Krishnan. Venkataraman then became the
disciple of Padmabhooshan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Late. Shri. K. S. Narayanaswamy. It was
under his tutelage when Venkataraman received the National Scholarship. He secured
first rank in vocal music and Veena in Gaanabhooshanam course from Sri Swati Tirunal
College of Music, Trivandrum. At the college he further developed his vocal music under
the guidance of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Shri. C. S.
Krishna Iyer. After completing his studies, Venkataraman served as Assistant Professor
of Veena at Sri Swati Tirunal College of Music. He then joined All India Radio in 1964 and
served there until his retirement in 1996.

Venkataraman has performed many concerts all over India and abroad during his career
spanning over five decades. Venkataraman along with Shri. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and       N.
Ramani performed the famous Veena – Venu – Violin trio concerts. This is a unique blend of
three combinations in Carnatic Music. Venkataraman has performed numerous times at the
Navarathiri Mandapam during the Navarathiri festival organized by the Travencore palace
of Maharaja Shri. Swati Tirunal.

During his tenure in All India Radio, venkataraman has conceived and presented numerous
special feature programmes, notable among them being “ Sankarabharanam –
Sangeethabharanam”, “Vrinda Vadyam” orchestra and vocal music lesions over the AIR
twice weekly for many years.

Venkataraman has performed for dignitaries including the former Indian President Shri.
V. V. Giri, Her Highness Sethu Parvati Bhai, His Highness Chitira Tirunal Bala Rama Varma
Maharaja. Numerous awards and honours have come Venkataraman’s way, such as the
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award in 1982, Veena Dhanam Memorial Gold Medal
and Shanmugha Vadivu Award from the Music Academy, Madras in 1973, Gaanasudhakara
title from Yoga Vedanta Forest Board Academy of Rishikesh and “Kalaratnam” title from
Travancore Devaswam Board. During 64th conference of the Music Academy, Madras, in
1990, he received Shanmugha Vadivu Award and Chellapally Ranga Rao Award as a Senior
Vidwan. During 1999, he was honoured by the Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Trust, Shri. Obul
Reddy Endowment and Veena – Senior Award from Narada Gaana Sabha in 2003 – 2004.
In the year 2006, he was honoured with the title of “Sangeetha Rathna” from Sruthi
Bharathi, Academy of Fine Arts and “Sangeetha Asthana Vidwan” from Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetam. His paper and lecture demonstration in Travancore Veena Style received the
first prize Award in 2005 at the Music Academy, Chennai.

His dedication to music and his unique style on the Veena, has brought him rasikas and
students from several parts of the world. Venkataraman is a frequent visitor to Australia,
Singapore, France and America where he has several students learning Veena and has
conducted several programs and lecture demonstrations to his credit.

This will be the first time ever for Trivadrum R. Venkataraman to perform in the United
State of America.
Trivandrum
R. Venkataraman