Guru Shyama ‘Vijayam’
In late July 2019, I began taking daily, intensive Carnatic music lessons, with primary focus on the veena, from the revered Guru Dr. Ramavarapu Madhuri Devi of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Every year, Dr. Madhuri Devi and her disciples record an album dedicated to her late mother, Guru Ramavarapu Vijayalakshmi. This year I was invited to participate in the recording of the album. Madam specifically requested that I add guitar to the 15 slokas and and some of the songs. In order to do so properly, I dropped my guitar's tuning down to that of a veena.
The album was released on Oct. 8th, 2019 and will be available for streaming soon. Dr. Madhuri Devi is a professor at Andhra University, performing artist, and guru. Her music can be found on Apple Music.
Oct. 8th, 2019: Album release performance.
Presented with an award from the Guest of Honor, Carnatic violinist Kum. A. Kanyakumari for my work on the album with Dr. Madhuri Devi.
Front cover of the album
Back cover of the album
Oct. 8th, 2019: Album release performance.
Carnatic violinist Kum. A. Kanyakumari, featured above, with Dr. Ramavarapu Madhuri Devi and her disciples.