Awards and Musical Milestones

Receiving recognition like the Principal K S Narayanaswamy Memorial Vainika award or the Sub Senior Best Veena Artist title is a significant honour. It reminds me of the responsibility I have to the masters who came before me, like MDR mama.

However, I view these accolades as checkpoints rather than destinations. As noted in my recent Scroll.in feature, my goal is always to find an individual voice on an instrument as traditional as the Veena. Whether I am analyzing a raga like Reetigowla, or conducting an intensive four-hour Veenopasana stamina session, the focus remains on the same thing: authenticity.

My workshops are where I put this into practice. We move beyond the stage and into the nitty-gritty:

• Gamaka Shuddham: Getting the note purity right through repetition.
• Kanakku Exploration: Using rhythmic math as a tool for creativity, not a rigid formula.
• Performance Nuance: How to sing along, when to use the instrument as a voice, and how to manage concert pacing.

If you see something here that sparks your interest—whether it's the academic theory of Manodharma or the physical challenge of building stamina—know that my teaching is just as much a shared exploration as my concerts. I don't have all the answers, but I am very happy to share the questions that keep me up at night.