A book on veteran Veena artiste Sangita Kalanidhi T Brinda, authored by noted music researcher Lakshmi Devnath, was released at a function here on Tuesday evening. The book is a pictorial biography of the doyen musician, and is titled T Brinda - bowing to classicism.
The first copy of the book was presented to musicologist Dr Pappu Venugopala Rao.
Speaking on the occasion, Lakshmi said, “Great personalities have a purpose and must not be allowed to fade away. This book is a way of paying tribute to the vainika, who once mesmerised audiences with her unique style of veena playing.” The author thanked noted vocalist Aruna Sairam — a disciple of T Brinda — for her unstinting support to the project. The book, in fact, is being brought out under the Nadayogam Trust, set up by Aruna and her husband Sairam. The book elaborates on the Veena Dhannammal School of Music, Brinda’s Guru Nayana Pillai as well as her personal achievements and contribution.
An online version of the book would be soon available and e-readers would also be in for an aural treat with the compositions of the artiste playing in the background, announced the author.
Aruna’s brother, S K Raja, who was associated with the musician for long, dwelt on his experiences of the association. “Everything about her was aesthetic,” he said.
The book was earlier released in Cleveland, venue of the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, and at the Shanmukhananda Sabha in Mumbai. Enlivening the memorable experience were the kin of both T Brinda and her guru Veena Dhanammal.
Chief of Music Academy N Murali was also present on the occasion.