Violin (common, string instrument)

Profile          Artists          Hindustani - N Rajam - Thumaki Chalatha          Carnatic - Lalgudi Jayaraman - raga Piloo

Profile

Although the violin is not native to the Indian subcontinent; it has become so popular that it must be mentioned. There appears to be no difference in construction between the Indian violin and its Western counterpart, however the technique is quite different. The most refined technique is to be found in South Indian music. Instead of holding the instrument under the chin, the musician props it between the shoulder and the foot. This gives a stability which cannot be matched by either north Indian nor occidental techniques. North Indian technique, though not nearly as refined, is still impressive.

According to textual references, violin was first introduced in the court of Travancore during the regime of Maharajah Svathi Thirunal. Vadivelu and Baluswami Dikshitar were accredited with the acclaim of having been renowned performers on the violin. The violin in its advent to India was a direct import form the European make by way of its shape but differed in execution and presentation, adapting itself to the style of presentation in Indian music.

The violin with special reference to South Indian music had its early beginnings when it was used as a mere melodic support in a Harikatha performance. Certain musical passages sung by the Bhagavatar were reproduced on the violin for the sake of effects. Still later, violin figured in the musical concerts in devotional music where musical lyrics and songs along figured. Still later came the ‘accompanying role’ of the violin to the main singer. It is at this juncture, when classical vocal concerts gained a formidable portion in the ‘classical’ stage of Carnatic music concert, Slowly, the violin emerged as the only best possible melodic support. Inspite of the trial usage of the flute, vina and some others, the violin as on today has emerged as the best possible accompaniment by nature of capacity for continuity to reproduce any sound and adaptability in a musical concert and its puritanical support in maintaining the stability of a musical concert.

In the Hindustani tradition, violin has rarely been used as an accompaniment. Possible exception being Smt N Rajam accompanying Pt Omkarnath Thakur.

Artists

Major artists in alphabetical order

Hindustani

• Smt N Rajam
  
  
• Pt V G Jog
  

Carnatic

• Kunnakkudi R Vaidyanathan
  
  
• L Shankar
  
  
• L Subramaniam
  
  
• Lalgudi G. Jayaraman
  
  
• M S Gopalkrishnan
  
  
• T Chowdaiah
  
  
• T N Krishnan