Voleti Venkatesvarulu
Encyclopedia
Sri Voleti Venkateswarulu (b: August 27, 1928 - d: December 29, 1989) was one of the most prominent South Indian classical musicians of the 20th century. Born in Rajahmundry
, he learnt music initially for 10 years from Sri Munuganti Venkata Rao Pantulu of Kakinada
, and later underwent exclusive training for 3 years under Dr. Sripada Pinakapani
.
. Under the guidance of Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. SriPada Pinakapani
he refined his style. Dr. Pani had said "He was a disciple of mine all right, but what a genius! You can describe him as one of the best musicians of Andhra ever. I wonder whether we will ever get another musician like that".
He served as a producer of Carnatic music
at All India Radio
, Vijayawada
from 1966 onwards. Amongst his various contributions, his music lesson programs and Bhakthiranjani were prominently appreciated by the listeners.
Voleti's music is unique in the field of Carnatic music. While his style represented the Carnatic South Indian classical music
tradition, it had elements of the Hindustani music North Indian classical music as well. He used to receive tremendous response from rasika
s connoisseurs of Carnatic music while singing Ragaalapana.
As a result of intense practice during his younger days, a tremendous knowledge of swaras and felicity in singing, Sri Voleti also excelled in the Hindustani style to such an extent that he could please famous Hindustani musicians such as Bade Gulam Ali Khan, Mehdi Hasan
, Gulam Ali etc.
Voleti possessed the finest qualities of musical ability: to sing with ease in three octaves, with absolutely pure sruthi and perfect laya.
Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
, he learnt music initially for 10 years from Sri Munuganti Venkata Rao Pantulu of Kakinada
Kakinada
Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is nicknamed "Fertilizer City" , "Pensioner's Paradise" and "Second Madras"...
, and later underwent exclusive training for 3 years under Dr. Sripada Pinakapani
Sripada Pinakapani
Professor Sripada Pinakapaani shortly S. Pinakapani is a medical doctor, administrator, professor in medicine, and carnatic musician.-Early life:...
.
Overview
Born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, he began his musical journey at the age of five. Voleti had his initial training from Chaturvedula Achutaramaiah Sastry and achieved Swaragnanam under Munuganti Venkat Rao Pantulu of Kakinada. He later graduated in music from Andhra UniversityAndhra University
Andhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
. Under the guidance of Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. SriPada Pinakapani
Sripada Pinakapani
Professor Sripada Pinakapaani shortly S. Pinakapani is a medical doctor, administrator, professor in medicine, and carnatic musician.-Early life:...
he refined his style. Dr. Pani had said "He was a disciple of mine all right, but what a genius! You can describe him as one of the best musicians of Andhra ever. I wonder whether we will ever get another musician like that".
He served as a producer of Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
at All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
, Vijayawada
Vijayawada
Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River and bounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. The city is located in the Krishna District, about from the state capital Hyderabad.Vijayawada literally...
from 1966 onwards. Amongst his various contributions, his music lesson programs and Bhakthiranjani were prominently appreciated by the listeners.
Voleti's music is unique in the field of Carnatic music. While his style represented the Carnatic South Indian classical music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
tradition, it had elements of the Hindustani music North Indian classical music as well. He used to receive tremendous response from rasika
Rasika
A rasika, in carnatic music terminology, is a person who has some knowledge of carnatic music and is able to appreciate carnatic music. In carnatic music concerts , the audience is usually called rasikas.-Name Meaning:...
s connoisseurs of Carnatic music while singing Ragaalapana.
As a result of intense practice during his younger days, a tremendous knowledge of swaras and felicity in singing, Sri Voleti also excelled in the Hindustani style to such an extent that he could please famous Hindustani musicians such as Bade Gulam Ali Khan, Mehdi Hasan
Mehdi Hasan
Mehdi Hasan is a British journalist who has worked in television current affairs and the national press. He was appointed senior editor at the New Statesman In the late spring of 2009.-Television career:...
, Gulam Ali etc.
Voleti possessed the finest qualities of musical ability: to sing with ease in three octaves, with absolutely pure sruthi and perfect laya.