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Veene Subbanna
ವೀಣೆ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ
The prince of the veena — the golden voice of Mysore's music
Years
1861 – 1939
Known as
Subbanna — the veena player and singer of Mysore
Birthplace
Mysore, Karnataka
Field
Artists & Performers
“The veena is the goddess's instrument — let it speak the raga as the voice speaks the song.”
— The spirit of Veene Subbanna
The Story
Born in 1861 in Mysore, Subbanna grew up in the richest musical atmosphere of the South — the court of the Wodeyar maharajas, which gathered the greatest musicians of the age. He became a master of the veena and of vocal music, and his performances were counted among the wonders of the state.
The account of his life in the Bharata Bharati series records that to hear him play the veena was a blessing — his music drew the rasikas, the connoisseurs, of the whole South. He lived a life of enjoyment, as the fortunate of his age did, but his heart was generous: he gave lakhs of rupees in charity and honoured the learning of others without a trace of jealousy.
He died in 1939, honoured as one of the great musicians of Mysore. His name is remembered in the musical tradition of the state, and his life is remembered for the union of great art with great generosity.
Core Ideas
The Veena Master
His playing was counted a blessing to hear.
The Court Musician
One of the jewels of the Mysore court.
The Generous
He gave away lakhs in charity.
The Honourable
He honoured learning without jealousy.
The Rasika's Delight
His music drew the connoisseurs of the South.
Why it matters today
Veene Subbanna is remembered as one of the great musicians of the Mysore court — an artist whose veena playing was a wonder of the age and whose generosity was as great as his art. His name is honoured in the musical tradition of Karnataka, and his life is remembered as the union of art and largesse.