Jayalakshmi Potharaju

About the Instrument

Music is originated from “Sama Veda” and was enlightened by Bharatha and vaggeya karas. Music is treated as another form of “God”. It is a language without words that brought, through ages, peace, prosperity, concentration and happiness not only in the life of human but even in the lives of trees, birds and animals.

Veena being the national instrument of India is often referred as the “Queen of Instruments” in the classical music of South India. The Saraswati Veena is one of the rarest instruments which have retained its exalted position since ancient time. It is said to be the preferred instrument of Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning. The Goddess, always depicted holding the Veena, has elevated the instrument by adding a divine sanction.

In ancient times, the tone vibrating from the hunter’s bow string and “Jaya Ghosha” (musical sound of the bow string) referred to in Atharvaveda, paved the way for the origin of the musical instrument. The instrument's neck is Shiva, the strings constitute his consort, Parvati. The bridge is Lakshmi, the secondary gourd is Brahma, the dragon head Vishnu. And upon the resonating body is Saraswati. Thus, the Veena is the abode of divinity and the source of all happiness. Veena is mentioned in Rigveda, Samaveda, Shatapadha Brahmana and Mahabharatha. It is said that Veena is played by Ravana, Hanuman, Naradha and Tambura.

The invention of Veena makes us think that people in ancient times were unimaginably intelligent.

jayalakshmi-2

Smt P. Jayalakshmi
Asst. Lecturer in Veena

Kinds of Veena

  • Ekaraga Mela Veena
  • Sarvaraga Mela Veena
  • Madhya Mela Veena
  • Achyutha Rajendra Mela Veena
  • Chala Veena
  • Dhruva Veena

Gods, Goddesses and their Veena

  1. Saraswati - Vipanchi
  2. Shiva - Rudra
  3. Vishnu - Sarangi
  4. Narada - Mahati

At present, Smt. Jayalakshmi Potharaju is working as Assistant Lecturer in Veena in our College.

Profile

Name : Smt. Jayalakshmi Potharaju, (Asst. Lecturer in Veena, SBR College)

Qualifications

a) Education - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
b) Veena - Master of Arts (M.A.)
c) Vocal - Diploma
d) Light Music - Diploma

Occupation : Assistant Lecturer in Veena, Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu Government College of Music and Dance, West Marredpally, Secunderabad

The journey of a musical career

From childhood itself, she is very interested in singing. Leaving no opportunity at local festivals and annual celebrations she paved her way into a musical career. Eventually, she completed course of Diploma in Veena from Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu Government College of Music and Dance, West Marredpally, Secunderabad. Soon after completing Diploma Course in Veena, she received an opportunity to teach the students of certificate course in Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu Government College of Music and Dance, West Marredpally. For improving her teaching profession up to Diploma level, she got enrolled and completed Master of Arts in Veena from Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad. With her belief in learning, she pursued Diploma course in Vocal as well as in Light music from Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University.

Three of her students, namely P Janaki, C Ramani, P Vasantha Lakshmi have completed their M.A. in Veena course. Pruthvi Shyam Billa and Vasumitra have completed Diploma course in Veena under her guidance.

Now she is working as an Assistant Lecturer in Veena in Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu Government College of Music and Dance, West Marredpally, Secunderabad.

She has participated in various cultural programmes arranged by Cultural Department of the state government, by temples in Telangana, Art of living, Bhakthi TV, Kalasagaram, etc. in solo, Jugal-bandhi and group performances from 1999.

Having more than 13 years of teaching experience in Veena subject, she has strived to encourage students to learn this subject and perform at various platforms. She takes this opportunity to acknowledge Goddess Saraswati for residing in her with this Veena, supporting her every step towards a fulfilled musical career. She also acknowledges her teachers who have bestowed a beautiful yet vibrant skill to preach and practice the art of Veena.

Chronological list of notable Performances and Activities

  1. 2004 – Participated as a trainer in “Kala Parichayam” organized by the Department of Culture of State government from April 30, 2004 to June 10, 2004
  2. 2005 – Participated as a trainer in “Kala Parichayam” organized by the Department of Culture of State government from April 25, 2005 to June 5, 2005;
  3. 2006 – Participated in Silver Jubilee Celebrations conducted by Art of Living with 3800 Musicians which is First ever South Indian Symphony at White Fields of Bangalore with 3 million audience from 150 countries
  4. 2007 – Participated in Jugal-bandhi cultural programme arranged by Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu Government college of Music and Dance at Main Hall of Shirdi on March 10, 2007
  5. 2008 – Participated in 600th Anniversary of Tallapaka Annamacharya “ Saptagiri Sankeerthana Ghosthi Ganam” organized by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam at Thallapaka on May 19, 2008
  6. 2013 – Participated in “Astothara Shatha Veena Vibhavari” an unique ensemble of 108 Veenas an event to promote South Indian classical Music at Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Hyderabad on March 3, 2013
  7. 2014 – Participated in Koti Deepothsavam Festival organized by Bhakthi TV at Hyderabad NTR stadium
  8. 2015 –
    • Participated in a “Veena Programme” at Summer cultural Programmes arranged by Culture Department at Ghantasala Auditorium, Ravindra Bharathi on April 13, 2015;
    • Received a letter of Appreciation from the Director, Culture Department, for participating in “ Music and Dance festival from April 8, 2015 to August 18, 2015 celebrated at Ghantasala Auditorium at Ravindra Bharathi;
      • Participated in Koti Deepothsavam Festival organized by Bhakthi TV at Hyderabad NTR stadium on November 27, 2015
  9. 2016 –
    • Received “Certificate of Appreciation” for participating in grand ensemble of veena at “Naadotsav” conducted by Art of Living at International centre, Bangalore on March 19, 2016;
    • Participated in “Veena Programme” arranged by Culture Department under “Kala Aradhana” programme at Ghantasala Auditorium, Ravindra Bharathi on May 13, 2016;
    • Received “Certificate of Appreciation” for participating in Koti Deepothsaavam Festival organized by Bhakthi TV on November 10, 2016 at Hyderabad NTR stadium;
  10. 2017 –
    • Participated in Koti Deepothsavam festival organized by Bhakthi TV at Hyderabad NTR stadium on Oct 25, 2017;
    • Participated in “Thirunakshatram Mahothsavam” 2017 organised by Sri Tridandi Sreemannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamy at Shamshabad on October 22, 2017