Sriman
Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar – Reminiscences by
Dr.
Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana
Let
me say a few words on the great musician Sri Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar. He was a historical figure in the world of music
during that era. That is how I would describe
him. He was a brilliantly shining star who
attracted a large number of musicians and admirers wherever he was. He was extremely helpful to people and fellow
musicians. He belonged to the Sishya parampara
of Saint Thyagaraja. He learnt music first
from Piratla Sankara Sastry Garu and later from the great Tiger Varadachariar. He imbibed the techniques of singing from Ariyakudi
Ramanuja Iyengar.
Sri
Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar was a great musician. His
specialty was his great creativity in music. He
was totally traditional in his music but within the framework of traditionalism he ensured
a lot of beautiful creativity. To mention his
contribution to the music of Andhra, I must say that he was the first musician who has
perfected and brought the Cutchery format to Andhra. His
format of Cutchery was somewhat similar to the Ariyakudi format but was adapted to our
traditions. He took the spirit of the format
of Ariyakudi and made it into a wonderful format in his own way. This was a major contribution of his to the
development of music in Andhra.
Sri
Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar’s next contribution was that he was a great composer of
a rich order. I would be singing a song of his
today, viz., “Jagelara” in Raga Hemavati. If
you listen to this composition you would wonder whether it is a Thyagaraja kriti except
for the fact that the mudra of the composer namely Varadaraja gives it away. So brilliant is this composition! If I have a chance I would like to sing at least 50
kritis of his and bring out as an album for the future generations.
Sri
Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar was a great administrator, who helped a large number of
musicians during his era. I personally
benefited from his large-heartedness. When he
was the Producer of the music in All India Radio (AIR), Hyderabad, I used to work as a
part-time teacher in a school in Secunderabad on a consolidated pay of Rs.100/- per month
and the post lasted only for 10 months in a year. Sri
Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar was very kind enough and in order to help me he used to
frequently invite me to participate in the Bhakti Ranjani and other musical programmes
which he produced in the AIR. He even gave me
a temporary job as a composer in the AIR, Hyderabad, for some time. All this helped me at a time when I was badly in
need of help. I used to participate very often
in his programmes in the AIR. The services he
rendered for music as producer in AIR and otherwise is unprecedented (Apoorvam).
Not
only this - He was also the first Principal of the Thyagaraja Music College in Hyderabad
when it was started in the year 1952. Before
that there was no music college in Hyderabad and for that matter in Andhra Pradesh itself. He established the Carnatic music section in the
Thyagaraja Music College and developed it which has grown not only into a full-fledged
college but several colleges have been opened subsequently in the State on that model. I have known about all his contributions as
Principal of the Music College. Many of his disciples of that time still remember him very
fondly about his great contribution.
Even
before all this I used to attend his music performances when I was a student in Bezawada,
later when I was learning music in Viziayanagaram and when I started my career in Visakhapatnam. In all these places, I used to attend his
performances without fail. I have listened to a large number of his concerts. I have learnt a lot from attending these. I have developed closeness and intimacy with
him. I have no hesitation at all to say that
he was my Guru in music and I consider it a great privilege to call him as my Guru even
though I did not undergo training formally under him.
Sri
Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar was a dazzling and handsome personality. He used to electrify the atmosphere wherever he
was. He attracted people, mingled with them
and helped them. He was a composer, creator of
music programmes, administrator, wonderful singer - all put together in one person. That was Vinjamuri – a multifaceted
personality who should be remembered forever for his contributions to the world of music. I must also acknowledge the outstanding work being
done by Vinjamuri’s son Shri Vinjamuri Govindarajan, his brothers and sisters in
perpetuating the memory of their great father. Andhra
Desam must continue to remember Sri Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar for his great music and
his great service to music. I have no
hesitation to say that as long as Carnatic Music continues to shine like the Sun, the
brilliant light of Sri Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar’s music would continue to glow
along with it. That great he was!
I
must thank the South Indian Cultural Association and all of you for giving me this
opportunity to speak a few words on Sri Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar.
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