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Veene Venkatagiriyappa
ವೀಣೆ ವೆಂಕಟಗಿರಿಯಪ್ಪ
The master of the veena — the heir of the great Sheshanna
Years
1886 – 1948
Known as
Venkatagiriyappa — the veena player
Birthplace
Mysore, Karnataka
Field
Artists & Performers
“The veena speaks the raga — and the raga speaks the soul of the tradition.”
— The spirit of Veene Venkatagiriyappa
The Story
Born in 1886, Venkatagiriyappa was trained in the veena by the greatest master of the instrument, Veene Sheshanna, and he became one of the finest players of the age. He was a musician of remarkable range — he also mastered the Western music of the time, a rare accomplishment for the musicians of the South.
He was a teacher of generosity: he gave music lessons to hundreds of students, and his simple, liberal nature made him beloved. He appreciated the worth of others without jealousy, and his playing of the veena was counted among the glories of the Mysore tradition.
He died in 1948, honoured as one of the great masters of the veena. His students carried his tradition across the land, and his name is remembered with respect in the musical history of Karnataka.
Core Ideas
The Sheshanna Disciple
Trained by the greatest master of the veena.
The Range
He also mastered the Western music of the age.
The Teacher
He taught hundreds of students.
The Simple Nature
A simple and generous man.
The Master
His playing was a glory of the Mysore tradition.
Why it matters today
Veene Venkatagiriyappa is honoured as one of the great masters of the veena — the disciple of Sheshanna whose playing graced the Mysore tradition and whose teaching spread its art. His name is remembered with respect in the musical history of Karnataka.