Prince Rama Varma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
The quality of this article or section may be compromised by wording which promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. You can help Wikipedia by removing peacock terms or finding content which backs the claims. |
 |
Prince Rama Varma
Rama Varma, born on 13th August 1968, is a South Indian Classical Musician; Music Teacher, Vocalist, Vainika (Performer on Veena), Musicologist and Writer.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Prince Rama Varma (Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma) is the scion of the erstwhile Royal Family of Travancore. He is the direct descendent of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Raja Ravi Varma. He is an excellent vocalist and a performing veena artist. He has given vocal and veena concerts all over India and in countries like USA, Kuwait, UAE, UK, France, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands etc. He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in Europe, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London;the Tropentheater, Korzo Theater Netherlands etc.
He started receiving music lessons from Prof. Vechoor Harihara Subhramania Iyer at a young age. He started learning veena under Trivandrum R Venkataraman and continued his lessons under the able tutelage of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Prof. K S Narayanaswamy. He is now the senior disciple of the legendary musician, Dr Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna.
Varma is an expert in the history, culture, aesthetics and philosophy of range of musical forms. His appreciation for music transcends styles, genres and traditions. He has in-depth knowledge in both North Indian and South Indian Classical Music forms. He is an enthusiastic admirer of Western Classical Music and varied selections of popular world music. Varma is also regarded as one of the top experts on the compositions of his ancestor, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. With keen interest in languages and deep understanding of compositions, his rendition provides clear and original interpretations, without compromising the set traditions.
Rama Varma is also a renowned music teacher for South Indian Classical Music. Apart from being an expert musician, he writes well researched articles on music and on variety of topics of human interest.
[edit] Performing Style
Varma's music, devoid of gimmicks, breathes into the song, a new life full of expression. His fresh and melodious music, well set in tradition, is noted for its originality. His attention to detail and diction are noteworthy. His interpretation of music becomes unique with its sensitivity to the soul of the composition. He explores and extracts the essence of raagas while very subtly integrating, where appropriate, the spirit of various strains of music. Varma is singularly gifted in imparting knowledge; enlightening his listeners in an effortless manner about the complex systems of Classical Music. He is making his mark as a music teacher and musicologist too. His lecture demonstrations on Indian Classical Music at various institutions in India and abroad are regarded as unique experiences by the audience as well as music students.
[edit] Music Festivals
Rama Varma is the man behind the Swathi Sangeethotsavam held at Kuthira Malika, Thiruvananthapuram every year from 6th to 12th January. He also organises the prestigious Navarathri Mandapam Concerts held in connection with the Navarathri Festival every year at Trivandrum.
External Links
Video Links
Concert Reviews
