N. Rajam

Dr. N. Rajam was born in Chennai in 1938 into a family with a background in classical music. Her early training was in the Carnatic music system under her father, Vidwan A. Narayana Iyer, where she learned basic technique and repertoire. She later studied under Musiri Subramania Iyer and received guidance in raga development from the Hindustani vocalist Omkarnath Thakur. These phases of training introduced her to both Carnatic and Hindustani traditions and led her towards a career in Hindustani classical performance on the violin.

Rajam follows the Gayaki Ang method on the violin. In this approach, the violin reproduces vocal phrasing used in Hindustani classical music. She developed this method under the guidance of her father and through long-term practice. Using this style, she presents Hindustani ragas on the bowed instrument. This method became part of her performance practice and her teaching system and is used in both institutional and private training.

She served at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for nearly forty years in the Faculty of Performing Arts. During this period, she worked as Professor of Music and later held the posts of Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty. Her work included classroom teaching, supervising students, and participating in academic planning for music education. Her tenure placed violin training within a formal university framework.

Alongside her academic career, Rajam has remained active as a performing artist. She has presented concerts in different parts of India and abroad. Her performances include solo violin recitals and joint concerts with other classical musicians. Her recordings include Violin Dynasty (Raga Bageshri), Dr. (Mrs.) N. Rajam – Violin Recital, and A Duet on Strings. These recordings document her raga repertoire and method of violin presentation.

Her students include Sangeeta Shankar, Ragini Shankar, Nandini Shankar, and Kala Ramnath, along with Pranav Kumar, Prof. V. Balaji (BHU), and Dr. Satya Prakash Mohanty. These artists continue to perform and teach using the training she received under her.

Her recognitions include the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990), Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2004), and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2012). In 2026, she received the Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India. This places her among Indian classical artists who have received all three Padma civilian honours.