An acclaimed and widely travelled Indian Carnatic Vocalist, Smt Geetha Raja is a disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Smt T. Brinda. As a representative of the Brinda school of music belonging to the Veena Dhanammal tradition, her singing is marked by a strong adherence to classicism. She has benefited greatly from other mentors in music—Sangita Kala Acharya Shri Bombay Ramachandran, Sangita Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan Shri K. S. Narayanaswamy and Padmashri Shri Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. Kalaimamani Geetha Raja combines many accomplishments—she is a well-known concert performer, a Vainika and a sought after Guru.
Musical Education
Geetha had her initial training in music from Sangita Kala Acharya Bombay Ramachandran (a disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Chittoor Subramania Pillai), who taught her rare varnams and more than two hundred and fifty krithis. Later, she was privileged to come under the tutelage of Sangita Kalanidhi Smt T.Brinda from whom she imbibed a vast repertoire—compositions of the Carnatic Trinity, Tamil krithis of Gopalakrishna Bharathi, Arunachala Kavi, Tiruvarur Ramaswami Pillai, Anai-Ayya, Padams, Javalis, Tiruppugazh, Tevaram and Viruttams. She has had training in special krithis, both in Veena and Vocal, from Sangita Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan Shri K.S.Narayanaswamy (who learnt under stalwarts like Sangita Kalanidhi Shri T.S.Sabesa Iyer, Sangita Kalanidhi Shri Tanjore Ponniah Pillai, a descendant of the famous Tanjore Quartet—at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu). Padmashri Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan taught her the laya intricacies in Manodharma Sangitam and many Ragam Tanam Pallavis. Under his guidance, she was able to explore the Devotional genre in Carnatic music.
Early Life
Born on 5 June 1955 in a family deeply interested in music and the arts, Geetha’s musical instincts were nurtured by her parents –Smt Bhama and Shri V.Balakrishnan. Her marriage in 1973 to Shri S.K.Raja further strengthened her interest in music, as her parents-in-law, Smt Rajalakshmi and Shri R. Sethuraman supported her musical career. Geetha’s husband Shri S.K. Raja has been a constant source of encouragement throughout her journey in music. Smt T. Brinda was a regular visitor to their home in Mumbai, where Geetha was introduced to the music of this great legend.
During 1971 to 1974, Geetha was awarded prizes in all the categories open to vocalists- in the All India Radio National Competitions; First prize for Classical Carnatic music, as well as prizes in the Light Classical and Light categories-AIR.
She was the recipient of the Rajaji Tambura Prize (Tamil Isai Sangam, Chennai) –1974; Chellamani Memorial Tambura Prize( Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai)—1974; Gold medals and prizes in competitions held at Mumbai and Chennai (1967—1975).
With a brilliant record in academics, Geetha did her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and French from SIES College, Mumbai. She holds a Master’s degree in Music (Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi) and in English Literature (University of Mumbai).
Concert Experience
Geetha is an A Top Grade Artiste of All India Radio, Chennai and performs regularly on radio and television. She has been featured often in the National Programme and Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan of AIR.
The highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, “Kalaimamani”, was conferred on Geetha Raja in 2006; she received the “Asthana Vidushi” title from Sringeri Sharada Peetham in 2001.
Since 1980, Geetha has travelled extensively and presented concerts at important venues and festivals all over India and abroad. She has performed in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.A.
The “Voices of Women” festival in Belgium, the Nehru Centre in London, Radio France in Paris and the Indo Austrian Association in Vienna are a few of the well-known European centres where she was invited to perform.
In addition to presenting concerts in India and overseas, she has explained Indian Music through workshops and lecture demonstrations, to audiences in Europe and the USA.
Some of her prestigious appearances include performances at Smithsonian Institution’s “Inspired by India” festival (2005); Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana (2005, 2012, 2017 and 2019); Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – Washington DC (2006).
Geetha has given a number of jugalbandi programmes with Hindustani vocalist Sandhya Kathavate, emphasizing the similarities and contrasts in the Carnatic and Hindustani styles of music. She has presented concerts and interviews in private television channels, lent her voice to dance drama recordings and written articles on music in various journals.
She has trained in playing the Veena from Sangita Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan K.S. Narayanaswamy.
Critics have commented on her resonant voice, fidelity to sruti and clarity of diction.
Her performances include a wide selection from the Krithis of Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Shyama Shastri, Tamil Krithis, padams, javalis, abhangs, bhajans and devarnamas.
Selected Performances – India
- The India International Centre in New Delhi
- Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha in Bombay
- The Music Academy and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in Chennai
- Sri Swati Tirunal Sangeetha Sabha in Trivandrum
- Sri Rama Seva Mandali in Bangalore
- Kalasagaram and SICA in Hyderabad
- Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam in Madurai
She has performed in many other equally important centres of music like Calcutta, Jamshedpur and Poona in North India; Temple Festivals at Palani, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Kumbakonam and other places in Tamil Nadu; in Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and at wedding concerts.
SPECIAL CONCERTS
Geetha has performed special concerts and collaborated with other artistes for thematic presentations. Here is a list of some concerts:
- Programmes on Kshetrams – Tiruvannamalai and Chidambaram: Collaboration with Dr.Chithra Madhavan – 2013 and 2014
- Chumma Chumma Varuma Sukham – Javalis and Tamil Padams (Collaboration with Smt. Sujatha Vijayaraghavan and dancers) : Many programmes at various venues in Chennai – 2014 and 2015
- Income Tax Recreation Club, Ayakar Bhavan, Nungambakkam, Chennai – January 2016
- The Brinda Repertory – March 2016
- “Krishna Vaibhavam” – Programmes on Krishna Temples: Collaboration with Dr.Chithra Madhavan – February 2017
- “Prananayaka” – Thematic Presentation of Padams / Javalis at Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival – April 2017
- Navaratri Festival at Isha Yoga Centre , Coimbatore – September 2017
- Ramnad Krishnan Centenary series concert – May 2018
- Devi Krithis for Varalakshmi Puja: Doordarshan Kendra Telecast – August 2018
- “Legacy of Veena Dhanammal” Concert at Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival – April 2019
- Yours Truly Margazhi – Kalakendra – December 2020
- Guru Bombay Ramachandran Memorial Concert – January 2021
Teaching
Geetha is actively involved in teaching Carnatic and devotional music to advanced learners of music through classes and the internet. She firmly believes in the propagation of our rich musical heritage and engages herself wholeheartedly in this task.
She has conducted special classes in padams and javalis under the auspices of The Music Academy, Chennai, from 2009 to 2011.
Some of her disciples have been awarded the prestigious CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training) Scholarships from the Govt. of India.
In 2020 and 2021, Geetha has done a series of video recordings with her disciples, consisting of rare krithis of the Trinity, Padams and Javalis – a legacy from her Guru Smt.T.Brinda.
Following are some of the workshops and teaching sessions conducted by Geetha Raja:
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi: Workshop on Padams and Javalis – October 2016
- Guest Lecturer at Advanced School For Carnatic Music(ASCM)- The Music Academy,Madras. July to October 2017
- “Sustaining Sampradaya” : Teaching of Padams /Javalis to Students – For Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival – 2017 and 2019
- Marabu Foundation, Thillaisthanam, Tamil Nadu: Workshops on Vintage compositions, Janya Ragas, Padams and Javalis – 2018 – 2019
- Natya Sruti, Bangalore: Workshop on Padams, Javalis and Abhangs – September 2018
- Navatman Music Collective, New York, USA: Workshops on Carnatic Music for Beginners and Advanced Level – May 2019
- Sangeeta Siksha Peetam, Chennai: – February 2021
Geetha has been invited to judge budding artistes in music competitions and reality shows:
- “Sangeeth Samrat” – Sankara TV – July 2016
- DD Podhigai “Isai Thoppu” Chief Guest – June 2018
- Examiner in All India Radio – July 2017
- External Examiner – at SIFAS, Singapore – June 2017
- “Times Thyagaraja Awards” – January 2019, 2020 and 2021
- Judge / Examiner in various Sabha Competitions in Chennai
TITLES, AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
- Awarded the A Top Grade by All India Radio– Dec 2023
- Presented with “GNB Award” from the Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai –Dec 2022
- Presented with “Prof V Sivakumar Award” from Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai –Dec 2022
- Received Bodhaka Award from Maragatham Sankaranarayanan Trust, Chennai – Dec 2018
- Received Dr MLV Endowment Award instituted by CMANA, from Narada Gana Sabha – Dec 2014
- Participated in the Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan (All India Radio) at Trivandrum –Sep 2013
- Received the Achiever’s Award and title of “Sangeetha Sevai Chemmal” from the South Indian Social and Cultural Academy – Sep 2013
- Performed at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, USA, during the birth centenary of Smt. T. Brinda–April 2012
- Appointed as Member of Audition Committee for Carnatic Classical and Devotional Music by All India Radio for two years–2010
- Financial Grant from the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India, to work on “Tamil Isai in Carnatic Music” – 2007
- “Jayarathna” – Title from Jayadhaarini Trust – 2007
- “Kalaimamani” – Title from Govt. of Tamilnadu – Feb. 2006
- “Meritorious Vocalist Award”-Maharajapuram Santhanam Trust – 2006
- “Pannisai Mamani” – Title from Kunnakudi Meenakshi Ramaswami Trust – 2004
- Participated in “Raga Vaibhavam” programmes conducted by Padmashri Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan –2003–2006
- “Asthana Vidushi” – Title awarded by Shri.Shankaracharya, Sringeri Mutt, Karnataka – April 2001
- Dr.S.Pinakapani Award for Best Raga Alapana – Music Academy, Madras – 2000
- T.S.Sabesa Iyer / Tanjavur K.Ponniah Pillai Award – Music Academy, Madras -1998
- Sung for an award – winning dance documentary film entitled “Sanchari”, produced for the Ministry of External Affairs – 1991
- Awarded the Govt. of India fellowship under the Department of Culture Scheme of fellowships to outstanding artistes in the field of performing arts for two years – 1988-90
- Smt.Sarada Krishna Iyer Memorial Award – Music Academy, Madras – 1988
- Specially sponsored by AIR to give a series of concerts in Andhra Pradesh before invited audiences – 1985
- Fellowship for two years from Bhulabhai Memorial Institute, Bombay, to learn special repertoire from Sangita Kalanidhi Shri K.S Narayanaswamy.– (1984–1986)
- Smt.D.K.Pattammal Award – Music Academy, Madras – 1983
- V.R.Sambasiva Iyer Memorial Award – Music Academy, Madras – 1978
- Selected by Tamilnadu State Academy (Eyal Isai Nataka Manram) to give a series of concerts in South India – 1977
- “Sur Mani” title awarded by Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay – 1976
- Gokulashtami Series Award – Krishna Gana Sabha, Madras – 1975
- Awarded prizes in AIR competitions in the three categories eligible to vocalists i.e., Classical, Light Classical, Light Music (1971-74)
- Several other prizes and gold medals in music competitions conducted by sabhas in Bombay and Madras – 1967-75
