Biography
Vidushi Saraswati Rajagopalan has been acclaimed as one of the leading Veena artists of Carnatic Classical music today. Hailing from a music loving family, she started rendering solo performances from the age of 12. She worked at AIR as a Staff Artist for over 30 years and her concerts have been featured in the National Program of Music on AIR , Doordarshan and Akashwani Sangeet Sammelans.
She is a TOP Grade artist of AIR and is also empanelled in the Outstanding Category of Artists with ICCR.
Saraswati Rajagopalan received her initial training from Smt. Radhamani Sharma of the Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer school and was later trained by Padmabhushan & Sangeeta Kalanidhi, Shri. K. S.Narayanaswami (in Mumbai) and Shri T. S. Raghavan (in Delhi). She is a MA in English from Delhi University and later did her MA in Music from Delhi University under the guidance of Sangeetha Kalanidhi , Padmabhushan Prof. T. N. Krishnan and Prof. T. R. Subramanian. She has also attended workshops conducted by the legendary violinist – Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman – where the maestro taught his own compositions as well as select compositions of the Carnatic Trinity.
Saraswati Rajagopalan ‘s music abounds in nuances akin to vocal singing i.e. Gayaki-Ang and is known for her virtuosity on the instrument, flawless technique and rich tonal quality. Her music reflects the core values and strict adherence to classicism. She has endeared herself to music lovers with her fascinating style which is graceful, original and rooted in tradition. She has presented concerts all over India and abroad in prestigious organizations and has enthralled the layman and connoisseurs alike.
As a collaborator , she has a mind open to new ideas which has given an innovative and interpretive quality to her renditions. Has presented many Carnatic Hindustani Jugallbandi‘s, Trio concerts and collaborated with western musicians
She has rich experience in composing music for Ballets and Orchestras Has conducted workshops and Lecture -Demonstrations in schools and universities.
Has received many awards such as” Kalaimamani “in 2006 given by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
“Tantrivadya Visharada” “,Nadaopaasini”,” Vainika Kala Kovidha” from various organisations and Award for Veena in 2002 from Music Academy,,Chennai, “Veenavadana Shashtragna” by the Veena Foundation (now Bharat Veenalaya)
Honoured by the Ramakrishna Mission, Lucknow in commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Sri Annamacharya Project of North America (SAPNA) in USA during their 5th Veena Conference and Festival in 2013. .
