Kalpakam Swaminathan

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Kalpakam Swaminathan (b. 1922) was born in Sethalapathi village in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. Her mother Abhayambal initiated her into the world of Carnatic music when she was just eight years of age. Her tutelage continued under such stalwarts as Kallidaikuruchi Ananthakrishna Iyer, TL Venkatarama Iyer, Musiri Subramania Iyer, Budalur Krishnamurthy Shastrigal, 'Tiger' Varadachariar and Mysore Vasudevachar.

Her veena technique follows the Thanjavur baani or style which is characterized by its strong commitment to producing musical graces (gamakas) in the manner they would be rendered vocally. It is an exquisite blend of clarity, strength, and virtuosity and enables her to present the intricate classical compositions of Carnatic music with the sharp details and natural graces abounding in them. She has a vast repertoire of Muttuswami Dikshitar's compositions, including those from the Abhayamba, Kamalamba, Neelotpalamba and Tyagaraja vibhakti series, Vara kritis and Panchalinga series. She is considered an authority in her renditions of this composer's work. She has also performed together with gottuvadyam doyen Budalur Krishnamurthy Shastrigal on many occasions.

She was brought into the teaching profession by the venerable 'Tiger' Varadachariar. He inducted her into the teaching faculty at Kalakshetra, where she spent many years in the 1940s and 1950s. From 1964 she taught at the Tamil Nadu Government Music College (formerly Central College of Carnatic Music). She retired as a full professor in 1980. Currently in her eighties, Smt. Swaminathan has nurtured many a young talent through the years, and has disciples all over the world.

Notable awards include the Kalaimamani title from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Sangeet Natak Academy Award from the President of India, Sangeetha Kala Acharya title of the Madras Music Academy, Sangeetha Seva Nirata awarded by Sree Thyagaraja Vidwat Samajam, and Acharya Choodamani from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in August 2005.