Ganakalanidhi Dr. Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar - A Legend of Classical Music

Stars are many in the firmament of Classical Music of South India. One of the brightest stars was Ganakalanidhi Dr. Vinajamuri Varadaraja Iyengar. ‘Vinjamuri’ was born in Guntur now in Andhra Pradesh, on 15 July 1915. His birth centenary is being celebrated during the years 2015-2016.
Music was not Vinjamuri’s profession – it was his passion and the core of his being. He was not just a well-known stage performing Vidwan but also was an exceptional Vaggeyakara (composer), a tunesmith, a prolific writer, an excellent orator who could speak about any topic in music extempore which earned him the name of ‘Walking Encyclopedia’ of Music. He was also a people’s person and an excellent conversationalist, which was laced with wit and humour.

As the saying goes ‘Aakaara Pradrusya Pragnyaha, Pragnya Pradrusya Aagamanaha’ along with grandeur of music he also possessed grandeur of looks which made him a ‘perfect musician’ – Uttama Gayaka Lakshnam!

Vinjamuri had many unique distinctions to his credit. As a youngster from Andhra he competed with the locals at MMA, Madras and won the Gold medal in 1935. He was honoured by the pontiff of Pushpagiri Pitam with the title of ‘Ganavidya Visharada’ when he was merely 22 years of age. He was probably the first person to travel to Madras from Andhra to get trained under the famed Tiger Varadacharier and bagged the credit of bringing the real ‘Tanjavore bani’ to Andhra Pradesh and propagating it. In as early as 1943 he could win the hearts and respect of Tamilians to be chosen to teach Carnatic Music through All India Radio, Madras. His biggest distinction probably would be to be mentioned by name in the citation honoring his first Guru Sri Piratla sankara Sastri. The Even bigger distinction was to be chosen as the honoree for the very first ‘Ganakalanidhi’ title by the ‘Sangitha Vidwat Sabha’ of Kakinada in 1950 when a galaxy of great musicians including his two Gurus was still ruling the Music field!

Vinjamuri’s contribution to the field of Carnatic Music was enormous. He, even from the tender age of 17, performed thousands of concerts throughout India including places like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Baroda, Puri, Berhampur, Puna, Nagpur, Kanpur, and Banaras along with literally sweeping the States of Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamilnadu with his performances.

He was the pioneer to cross the seas and perform abroad in places like Ceylon, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Kandy and other countries for the benefit of Ramakrishna Mission during the time when foreign travel was unknown. In 1952, at the age of 36, Vinjamuri was requested by the ministry of culture of Andhra Pradesh to start the very first music school in Hyderabad. Thus, Vinjamuri became the Founder-Principal of the very first music school in Andhra area.

Following his model many schools and colleges were started throughout the state later. Again in 1956, by the request of Andhra government, he became the very first Carnatic Music Producer of All India Radio Hyderabad. It was there where Vinjamuri’s innovative talent took full-swing, he introduced many new concepts like Bhakthiranjani, Layavinyasam, Raga Lakshnam, Musical features and dramas, thematic programs, musical discussions to name a few.

He was also the pioneer in setting to music to the kritis of Annamacharya, Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Ramadasu, Kshetrgnya, Cheyyur Chengalvaraya - known and unknown Vaggeyakara kritis and broadcast them and record them for the archives of the AIR. He also set to music Andal’s Tiruppavai (30 hymns) and geya natakas like Shahaji’s Vishnu and Siva Pallki Seva Prabandhams. The genre Ragam-Tanam=Pallavi of Carnatic music is unique in nature and considered to be the yardstick to measure the maturity and prowess of a musician.

Vinjamuri was an expert in singing the Ragam-Tanam-Pallvi in Ghana, Rakthi Ragas and also in Apoorva ragas such as Bhavapriya and Narayani. He would often be called to deliver lectures by various university music departments to give insight into the intricacies of that art form. He also gave lecture-demonstrations of the genre through the AIR.

Vinjamuri served as the examiner of universities and state Music Colleges, advisor to many universities, Office-bearer of many Sabhas in many states, presided over many sabhas and obtained many honours and titles such as Ganakalprapoorna, Sangeetha Jyothi, Gayaka Sarvabhouma and others. The Music department of Osmania University in Hyderabad was started by him and Prof. Sambamurthy as board members. He was invited to select the staff for starting the Carnatic Music department at the Banaras Hindu University. He was the first person to introduce ‘ Sadguru Akhanda Nama samkeertanam’ (singing Thyagaraja kritis 24 hours without a break) which is being followed by many today!

At the age of mere 46, while at service with AIR Hyderabad in 1962, Vinjamuri had met with a serious bus accident that left him in a coma for 40 full days. By the grace of Lord Almighty he regained consciousness with his faculties, memory and vidwat intact. But, the voice that defined him and his Being became weak. All his life’s sacrifice of controlled diet and restrictions to protect his divine and powerful voice went in vain as the status of his voice on any given day became unpredictable. Vinjamuri’s performing career was cut short. As he departed from the mainstream of performers, all his output in AIR stations got destroyed by ignorance or otherwise. His name had ceased to be a house-hold name of music lovers.

Vinjamuri’s service to music still continues through the ‘Ganakalanidhi Dr. Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar Memorial Trust’ (Regd.). Since his demise in 1991 Vinjamuri Memorial concerts are being held in various states and Sabhas; A gold medal is being given at the MMA; Chennai; and medals and scholarships are given at Swathi Tirunal College, Trivandrum and Telugu University, Hyderabad. The special postal cover was issued by the Indian Posts and Telegraphs in honour of him for his centenary and the celebration goes on.