Jayanthi Kumaresh

Jayanthi Kumaresh^[1] is an Indian musician known for her proficiency in playing the Saraswati veena,^[2][3][3] playing various roles as an artist, collaborator, composer, researcher, creator, pioneer and educator. She was born into the Lalgudi family, is a 6th generation musician. She was awarded the Government of India’s Sangeet Natak Akademi^[4] award in 2022 and was the recipient of Sangeet Shikhar Samman^[5][6][7] in 2019 conferred by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi Kendra. She is the founder of the Indian National Orchestra,^[8] an ensemble that brings together artists from Carnatic and Hindustani traditions. Darbar.org says she was one of the youngest veena artist to receive A-Top grading from All India Radio.^[3]

Jayanthi Kumaresh
Jayanthi Kumaresh with the Saraswathi Veena
Background information
Origin	Bengaluru, India
Genres	Carnatic Music
Occupation(s)	Vainika, Composer
Instrument	Saraswati Veena
Website	jayanthikumaresh.com

Early life and education

Her formal training commenced at the age of three under the tutelage of her mother, Lalgudi Rajalakshmi.^[3][3] At the age of 13, she went through a rigorous Veena training in Gurukula system of learning under her maternal aunt and Guru, Padmavathy Ananthagopalan^[3][1] for 22 years and later under the guidance of S. Balachander.^[1] She also received specialized training from her maternal uncle violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman and other maestros like T. Brinda, T. R. Subramaniam, and Thanjavur Shankara Iyer.

Jayanthi holds a postgraduate degree in English literature and earned a doctorate from the University of Mysore for research on “the analytical study of different banis and playing techniques of the Saraswati veena”^[9] Her dissertation examines historical playing styles, references in classical treatises, and recent developments such as electronic Veenas. Portions of her research have been published in academic journals.^[10][11] She conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations internationally.

Career

Over a performing career spanning more than four decades^[12] Jayanthi has given concert tours across India and internationally. She has appeared at venues including Sydney Opera House and New York’s Lincoln Center. In July 2024, she performed at Sydney Opera House as part of the cross-genre trio Triveni, which blended Hindustani and Carnatic traditions^[13] She also joined the Triveni ensemble on an 18-city North American tour in 2022.^[14] Critics have praised her live performances for their technical clarity and emotive power, noting for instance that "Jayanthi’s Saraswathi Veena mesmerises" at the Dehradun Concert. ^[13][15]

Discography

She has released several albums with multiple themes and presentations , which includes 45 Ragas, Jagruthi , Shankaram, Run with SA, Thillana Thillana, Timeless Tunes, The Singing Veena, Veena Saman, Veena Visions, Walking Together and many others. Jayanthi composed and released the album "Mysterious Duality,"^[16] in which the artist has played 7 different Veena tracks. Jayanthi has recorded for Labels Times Music, Music Today, Sa re ga ma, Sense World and Home Records.

Teaching and outreach

She has collaborated with Indian Ministry of Culture and Rikskonsertene Norway Ministry of Culture,^[17] conducting lectures and masterclasses in Norway. She has presented numerous TED talks and has collaborated with SPICMACAY on several occasions to bring larger audience into the Carnatic Music. ^[18]

Productions

As a composer, Jayanthi has written music for dance productions and films; reviewers note that she scored works such as Krishna Bhakthi, Abbakarani and Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, and composed for the National South Asian Youth Orchestra (UK).^[9] Beyond these, Jayanthi Kumaresh has crafted some Singles like "Janani," "Vasanthabhairavi," “A Thousand Stars” and the like. Jayanthi Kumaresh has also released several albums with multiple themes and presentations.^[19] She introduced "Story in Concert", a blend of music, story-telling and painting.

Awards

• 2006: State award of Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu Government^[20]
• 2018: Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal - Chennai^[21]
• 2019: Bhavan's Sangeet Shikhar Samman - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi ^[6]
• 2020: K.S. Narayanaswamy Award for Veena - Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, Mumbai^[22]
• 2022: Sangeetha Vedanta Dhurina - Bangalore
• 2022: Sangeet Natak Academy^[23][24]