Mysuru: Sree Andal Mandiram Trust has organised Smt. Shantha Narasimhan Memorial veena concert by Karnataka Kalashree Vidushi M. K. Saraswathi on Saturday (Dec. 15) at 6 pm at the Trust premises on Temple Road, v.v. mohalla.

Profile: Rare is the case where the names of the artiste and their instrument have a metaphorical significance. However, on beholding M.K. Saraswathi on-stage and hearing the divine music resonating from her veena, one can only conclude that the two are made for each other !

Saraswathi is a veena player par excellence and an A-Top grade artiste of Akashavani and Doordarshan.   She also regularly performs concerts at prestigious locations all over India.

Her music recordings are in wide circulation, carrying the authentic sound of the Mysore Veena all over the globe.

Saraswathi hails from a rich musical lineage. She was initiated into music at a young age by her musician mother, Kamalamma, under the keen guidance of her father M.K. Srinivasa Iyengar, a connoisseur of classical arts whose deep ambition was to see the tender talent excel at different art forms while also having a sound footing in literature.

Later, she received advanced training from Dr. Gowri Kuppuswamy, a renowned disciple of the legendary MLV and from Veena Maestro M.J. Srinivasa Iyengar, a senior disciple of Veena Venkatagiriyappa who in turn was a direct disciple of the great Mysore Veene Seshanna.  She is thus an embodiment of the legendary GNB and Saint Thyagaraja paramparas.

She, in turn, is passing on the wealth of art and knowledge to the younger generations through her music school.  Under her able and meticulous guidance, several young talents have blossomed into Vidwats and graded artistes of AIR and DD.  One of her remarkable achievements was to develop a group of absolute beginners into advanced Veena players in just one year !

Her musical heritage is well- continued by her daughter Rajyashree Josyer Shrikanth, who is well-known  for both vocal and veena performances and her son Vid. G. Venkatesha Josyer, a renowned violinist.

Major Awards in recognition of her Lifetime contribution to Music are: Karnataka Kalashri by Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy – 2006; Senior Fellowship Award by Central Government of India – 1999; Honoured under the Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme of Central Government to preserve Veena Parampara of Mysore – 2005; Ananya Puraskara, Bangalore – 2004; Vainika Brahma by Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha – 2014; Swaralaya Shrunga by Suswaralaya College of Music and Gandharva Vidyanidhi by D. Subbaramiah Fine Arts.