A. Kanyakumari

For other uses of "Kanyakumari", see Kanyakumari (disambiguation).

Vidushi A. Kanyakumari
Violinist A. Kanyakumari
Background information
Origin	Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
Genres	Carnatic music
Instruments	Violin

Avasarala Kanyakumari is a violinist from South India who specializes in Carnatic music. She is the first woman violinist to receive the Sangita Kalanidhi award. ^[1] Critics have noted aspects of her violin playing such as vocal-style phrasing and experimentation. ^[2]

Career

Kanyakumari is a native of Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh and has lived in Chennai for more than five decades. ^[2] Her parents, Avasarala Ramarathnam and Smt. Jayalakshmi encouraged her to pursue music. She studied under Ivaturi Vijeswara Rao, M. Chandrasekaran and M. L. Vasanthakumari. ^[3] Her playing incorporates a vocal-based approach known as the gayaki style. She was mentioned in the congressional record of the US on August 6, 2021, for offering free Carnatic violin instruction and acknowledging the influence of her teachers. ^[4] She also often performs at SPIC MACAY Concerts throughout India. She has trained over 150 students and emphasises that students master the lyrics or sahityam too.

She is the first female violinist to create ragas. ^[5] Recordings of her performances and compositions are available on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. She maintains a website featuring instructional videos on Carnatic violin technique. ^[1]

Awards and honours

A Kanyakumari was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award of the Madras Music Academy for the year 2016. She is the first female violinist to get the award. ^[6] Her awards include

• Padma Shri by Government of India (2015) ^[7]
• Sangita Kalanidhi from the Music Academy, Chennai (2016) ^[8]
• Kalaimamani from Govt. of Tamil Nadu ^[4]
• Ugadi Puraskar from Govt. of Andhra Pradesh^{[ citation needed ]}
• Top Rank by A.I.R^{[ citation needed ]}
• Honorary citizenship of the state of Maryland, U.S^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sasvatanadavidushi (One who is adept in music that is divine) from TSN's Percussive Arts Centre Inc (TSNPAC), New Jersey in 2022 ^[9]
• TTK Award from the Music Academy, Chennai^{[ citation needed ]}
• Asthana Vidhwan of TTD on honorarium for the period of five years, from 15 June, 2013.
• Asthana Vidushi of Sringeri Sarada Peetam, Ahobila Mutt and Avadhoota Peetam^{[ citation needed ]}
• "Saptagiri sangeetha vidwanmani from Sri Tyagaraja Festival Committee of Tirupathi.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Dhanurveena Praveena, a title bestowed on her by M.S. Subbulakshmi, commemorating Kanyakumari's 25 years in concerts^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sangeeta Kala Nipuna, from the Mylapore Fine Arts Club, 2002 ^[10]
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award , 2003^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sangeetha Chudamani Award from Krishna Gana Sabha, 2012^{[ citation needed ]}

She was selected for Limca Book of Records 2004 for her various achievements in music as a versatile woman violinist.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "Guru - A. Kanyakumari". Kanya's Violin Lessons. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
2. Nair, Malini (11 February 2023). "Three generations of the brightest Carnatic violinists have trained under this one legend". Scroll.in. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
3. "Improvisation keeps me fresh: Kanyakumari". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
4. Anand, Lakshmi (26 August 2021). "Kanyakumari's star-spangled career". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 20 February 2025.
5. Chandaraju, Aruna (11 December 2021). "Meet the Chennai-based artist 'vocalising the violin'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
6. "'Sangita Kalanidhi' award for ace violinist Kanyakumari". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 24 July 2016.
7. "Padma Awards 2015". Archived from the original on 20 August 2019.
8. "Kanyakumari — first woman violinist to get Sangita Kalanidhi award". The Hindu. 24 July 2016. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 20 February 2025.
9. Purna, V. (2023). History of TSNPAC. Google Books. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
10. Awardees at Madras music mela 2002