Profile of Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi
Among the many accolades and awards Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi has earned in her journey as a musician, there is one she holds close to her heart. A comment by Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, who was the guest of honour at her performance at the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego, United States, in 2015. Following her performance, Pandit ji took her hands into his own and as he offered her his blessings, he said, “You have your father’s fingers. Your music has touched my soul.”
Lalgudi G J R Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi
In the context of classical violinists in India, Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, occupy pride of place. Torchbearers of the venerable Lalgudi tradition, pioneered and nurtured by their father and guru, Padma Bhushan Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, the duo’s music is an interesting study in contrasts. The brother and sister duo is the fifth generation in a family of Musicians whose first Lalgudi Rama Iyer was a direct disciple of Saint Thyagaraja. Together, their music is classical but refreshingly contemporary; its form and feel are minimalist but at its core, it is intricately complex and layered; in its experience, the music is a celebration of both the beauty of duality and the appeal of individual identity.
