Veenai Jayanthi Kumaresh, the most sought after Veena artiste of today, was born into the legendary Lalgudi family, a family replete with renowned musicians. Endowed with prodigious talent, it didn’t take Jayanthi too long to be acclaimed by many as the ‘Best and most versatile Veena artiste we have today’. Her virtuosity on the instrument, rare musical insight, rich tonal quality and strict adherence to tradition has won her the appreciation of the layman and connoisseur alike.

Jayanthi started learning the Veena when she was barely four years old. Her main inspiration to learn the Veena was her aunt and Guru Smt. Padmavathi Ananthagopalan, who is a very reknowned and accomplished artiste.

Smt. Padmavathy took Jayanthi under her wing and what she made out of that child in the next ten years is the shining star we see today in the world of Carnatic Music.

When the legendary Veena Virtuoso Padmabhushan Dr.S. Balachander heard Jayanthi play, he said that she had a rare gift and talent, and extracted a promise from young Jayanthi that she would do full justice to her potential. He started giving her advanced lessons in the art of Veena playing, which Jayanthi treasures as some of the most precious moments of her life.

Her beloved Uncle, a giant among musicians, Shri. Lalgudi Jayaraman, has also guided her in her musical journey.

‘Veenai Jayanthi’, as she is affectionately called by her rasikas, has carved a special place for herself in the world of music with her dedication and perseverance coupled with the blessings of her gurus.

She has presented innumerable concerts all over India and abroad and has won the appreciation of audiences from all walks of life, which is reaffirmed by the fan following she has, both among Indian and non-Indian music lovers.

Jayanthi has performed in many Jugalbandhi concerts, participated in the annual Sangeeth Sammelan concerts conducted by Akashvani and in many prestigious international music festivals. She is the youngest artiste in Veena to receive ‘A Top’ grading from All India Radio (AIR), the highest grade offered by the only grading institution of the country.

Jayanthi started touring the globe since 1990 and has been featured in many international festivals in the UK, Europe and USA. A frequent performer in the US, her coast-to-coast jaunt includes both regular concerts and lecture demonstrations along with music appreciation courses at various universities in the US". In addition to her accomplishments as a Veena performer, Veenai Jayanthi has authored a few musical productions such as ‘Thyagaraja Vaibhavam’, ‘Ruthu Soundaryam’, ‘Om Sharavanabhava’ and ‘Bheema Anjaneya Samvadam’. These productions have been successfully staged and have won her appreciation from the audience and rave reviews from the dramatists.

Her latest production, ‘Jagadguru Shri Adi Shankara’ was premiered in the auspicious presence of His Holiness of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Jagadguru Shri. Vijayendra Saraswathi and was blessed and appreciated by him.

Awards and accolades have been showered on Jayanthi since her early age. This includes the recognition she got from the Music Academy, Chennai as the ‘Best Veena Artiste’ on four different occasions. Jayanthi has many labels and albums to her credit. She has recorded for companies like Music Today, HMV, Charsur etc..

Jayanthi’s passion for teaching music is no less than her passion to perform concerts. Jayanthi, a brilliant singer herself, has been teaching both Vocal music and the Veena to students from around the world, for the last twelve years.

Jayanthi’s vision is to create a world-class institution that will propagate, promote and preserve Carnatic Music and its rich legacy for posterity.

Her musical journey continues…..