Priyamvadaa R
Teacher, Musician, and Small Business Owner in India
I'm Priyamvadaa, a carnatic music teacher and performer from Chennai, India. My journey into the world of carnatic music started when I was about 3 years of age. My first training in vocal music was under Dr Rukmani Ramani (daughter of the legendary composer “Sangita Kalanidhi” Papanasam Sivan). At the age of 5, I was part of renditions of timeless compositions of her father and performed in several parts of Southern India.
Around 2003, I was immensely fascinated by the violin. In fact, I tried to play the instrument on my own. I started my violin lessons from Akkarai Sri Swaminathan. The taskmaster that he is, trained me selflessly for many years. I also had the good fortune of learning from Akkarai Sisters duo - one of the leading violinists from India today.
In October 2008, after hearing a concert of mine, “Sangita Kalanidhi” Violin maestro A. Kanyakumari herself extended an invitation for advanced training. I was extremely elated to grab the opportunity. I have been under her tutelage from 2008 till date. Her unique "bhava" laden bowing has impressed thousands of people. I have had the fortune of performing duo, trio and several milestone performances with her. I have also been simultaneously learning vocal music from Dr G Baby Sreeram from 2018 till date.
As an accompanist, I have performed with several artistes at several prestigious venues like The Music Academy - Madras, Shanmukhananda Hall - Mumbai, Ravindra Bharti - Hyderabad, Chowdiah Hall - Bengaluru, Kolkata, etc. I have also performed at some international sabhas like The Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, IFAASD - San Diego, Irvine Barclay Theater, SIMA Los Angeles, Ragamalika Abu Dhabi, Sylvannes Abbey Festival- France, Lala Land Festival - Amsterdam, Evora Festival - Portugal, La Mandapa - Paris, etc. I am a B High Grade artiste of All India Radio,Chennai.
In 2017, I started my music school based in Southern California - Suswaraa LLC. I have been training over 50 students and some of them have also begun to perform. Many of my students have participated and won several prizes in the competitions held by various organisations in the USA. Through my LLC I have conducted performances, annual workshops - Samskriti - Isha Yoga Centre Coimbatore, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, University School of Milwaukee, University College London, etc.that brings in new learners into this art form regardless of their age.
I am a teacher, musician and a psychologist currently living in India.