Annavarapu Rama Swamy
Annavarapu Rama Swamy (born 1926) is an Indian classical violinist from Andhra Pradesh, India. He is known for his contributions in the field of Carnatic music.[1][2][3] He is noted for inventing new Ragas and Talas such as Vandana Raga, Sri Durga Raga and Tinetradi Tala and Vedadi Tala.[4] In 2021, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri in the Arts and Literature category.[4] He was awarded the Fellowship of Andhra Pradesh Sangeeta Akademi in 1983.[5][4]
| Annavarapu Rama Swamy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Annavarapu |
| Born | 1926 Eluru, Somavarappadu, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Violin |
Early life
Annavarapu Ramaswamy was born on March 27, 1926 in Somavarappadu, West Godavari district. His father Pentayya Nadaswara was a Nadaswaram scholar. His elder brother Annavarapu Gopalam worked as an Ghatam artist on the Akashavani for a long time and then retired and died. He learned music from Maganti Jagannadham Chaudhary and later from Parupalli Ramakrishnaiah Panthula. Among the disciples of Parupalli Ramakrishna - Balamuralikrishna, Annavarapu Ramaswamy and Nallana Chakravarti Krishnamacharya are famous.
Career
Over the past eight decades, he has given concerts in many countries such as USA, Canada, UK, France, Muscat, Bahrain, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Doha, Sri Lanka. In 1998 and 2012, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations awarded him the title of Outstanding Artist under the Violin category. Madras Music Academy conferred T. T. K. Memorial Award to him. He invented new Taal called "Vandana", "Sri Durga". He invented the locks called "Trinētrādi" and "Vēdādi". He composed new characters and works. He studied vocals, lute, clarinet, flute and vocal instruments along with many other violins. His disciples organize the Hyderabad Thyagaraja Worship Festival every year.
He joined All India Radio Vijayawada in November 1948. The Vijayawada center had not yet been started. N. S. Ramachandran selected him, Krishnamacharya and Dandamudi and started the center. They worked as artists until 1986. He is now a top grade musician on the radio. He was elected for the Fellowship of Andhra Pradesh Sangeeta Akademi in 1983.
Awards and recognition
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, by the Government of India, 1996[6]
- Fellowship of Andhra Pradesh Sangeet Akademi in 1983[5]
- Padma Shri, by the Government of India, 2021[4]
References
- Dasagrandhi, Madhuri (January 19, 2018). "The changing 'tunes' of Carnatic music". Telangana Today.
- "Violin maestro bemoans diluted standards of music". The Hindu. December 12, 2016.
- Kumar, Ranee (May 26, 2011). "Living by values". The Hindu.
- "Four artistes from Telugu states honoured with Padma Shri". The News Minute. January 26, 2021.
- "Annavarapu Ramaswamy". Sangeetnatak.gov.in.
- "List of Awardees". Sangeetnatak.Gov.in.