T Viswanathan
(Carnatic, Flute)
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Profile
Discography
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Profile
Tanjore Viswanathan was one of the most important flutist belonging to the Dhanammal Bani. As a professor at Wesleyan university he helped introduce Carnatic music in North America.T Viswanathan was born in to an iluustrious musical family. His mother Jayammal was the third daughter of legendary veena player Veena Dhanammal. His sister was the famous Bharathanatyam dancer Balasaraswathi. Famous vocal duo, Brinda and Mukta were his cousins. Viswanathan had his initial training from his mother. Later he was trained by flutist Sangita Kalanidhi T. N. Swaminatha Pillai. He also studied ethomusicology from UCLA and later earned a PhD from Wesleyan. He was fondly called Viswa in Carnatic circles.
He started performing solo flute concerts and also accompanied Balasaraswathi in her dance performances. He was also the head of Music Department of the Madras University from 1961 to 1966. Later he migrated to the west and settled down in US. For over a quarter of a century he taught Carnatic music at Wesleyan. He also taught at California Institute of the Arts, the American Dance Festival and the American Society for Eastern Arts.
He was presented several awards including the Sangeet Natak Akademi award and prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1987. He was the first Indian artist to be given the National Heritage Fellow, America's highest tribute for traditional artists.
Related Artists
| Teachers & Influences | T Jayammal, T N Swaminatha Pillai |
| Disciples & Followers | Jon B Higgins |
| Similar Artists | N Ramani, T R Mahalingam |
| Worked With | Balasaraswathi (sister), T Ranganathan (brother) |
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| Musical Nirvana . com | Top | Last Updated on 16-Aug-2003 |