A. Kanyakumari (b. 1961)

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A. Kanyakumari is a leading violinist with over 25 years concert experience. She commenced her association with the violin at a very early age in Vizianagaram, the cultural hub of Andhra Pradesh. Her musical instincts were first recognised and nurtured by Sri Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao, a product of the Dwaram School. Under his able guidance, young Kanyakumari learnt the nuances of Carnatic music. In 1969, she earned a Central Government of India scholarship, which enabled her come under the expert tutelage of Sri M. Chandrasekaran, with whose blessings and good wishes, Kanyakumari has carved out a special niche for herself in Carnatic music. Within a year her move, the musical fraternity and cognoscenti of Madras acknowledged and encouraged her inherent potential. She soon won several awards and prizes.

The watershed in her meteoric rise was, however, in 1972 when her musical acumen was given due recognition by the Late Dr M. L. Vasantakumari, the legendary Carnatic vocalist, who groomed Kanyakumari into a front ranking violinist. Since 1972, Kanyakumari was a regular accompanist to her mentor for nearly two decades. Besides Dr M. L. Vasantakumari, Kanyakumari has also provided accompaniment to Dr. N. Ramani, Dr M. Balamuralikrishna, the Late T. R. Mahalingam, Sri U. Srinivas, Sikkil Sisters, Sri T. V. Gopalakrishnan and a host of leading and eminent artistes. Kanyakumari is a sought after accompanist and has toured the world extensively, accompanying several senior and eminent musicians. Apart from her career as an accompanist, she is a distinguished soloist and has many CD recordings to her credit. In 1988 she set a record for playing the violin non-stop for 29 hours. Despite her busy professional career as a performing violinist, Kanyakumari finds the time to teach. She has many disciples under her able wings. Recently, she conducted a concert in Madras featuring an ensemble of more than 25 violinists playing in unison.

Today, Kanyakumari has achieved much success with his strong grip of laya and deep knowledge of raga-s. As an accompanist, she displays immense depth, knowledge, sincerity and maturity by blending with the main performer in complementing manner.