SUBRAMANIAN RAJESWARI
Akademi Award: Music for Dance (Bharatanatyam)

Born in 1946 in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, Shrimati Subramanian Rajeswari received her training in Carnatic music under masters including Shri Tanjore Balasubramaniam, Ramanad Krishnan, Madurai N. Krishnan, S. Rajam, and D.K. Jayaraman. She also learnt Thevaram Thiruvasakam, and Periapuranam under Shri Dharmapuram P. Swaminathan. In the sphere of music, she was awarded an MPhil for her dissertation on the Padavarnams of Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. A top-ranking artist of All India Radio, Shrimati Rajeswari began her teaching career as Lecturer in the Government Music College, Madras. Here, she rose to become a Professor and finally served as Principal In-charge. For some time, she taught vocal music at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture, Mauritius.

Shrimati S. Rajeswari has contributed to the field primarily as a dance musician, excelling both in nattuvangam and vocal music for Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. She has performed with renowned artists in notable dance festivals across the world. She has given lecture-demonstrations on music organized by the reputed institutions, and has participated in numerous seminars. She has also undertaken research on dance music. A teacher all her life, she has to her credit a thirteen-volume set of cassettes giving basic lessons in Carnatic music. She has also prepared similar instructional material rendering slokas for children.

Shrimati Rajeswari has been honoured for her work by several institutions in southern India. She has the distinction of receiving the first Kalaimamani award for dance music from the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram.

Shrimati S. Rajeswari receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to dance music.