Seetha Doraiswamy Biography 
Seetha Doraiswamy is a renowned Carnatic Multi-instrumentalist and the last recognised female exponent of a dying Indian instrument, the jal tarang. She was the first female musician ever who received the Gold Medal of Honour from The Music Academy, the first Carnatic music Institute. Till now she holds the record of the youngest musician who received this honour. She is the only Jal Tarang exponent to have ever received the Kalaimamani award. Her tireless efforts to nourish this dying this instrument from extinct is really praise worthy. Her theoretic knowledge had laid foundation to many modern concepts of Carnatic music of today. Jaya Madhavan, noted writer and columnist is her grandson.
Seetha (Seethamma) was born as Seethalakshmi in Adachani, a village in the district of Tirunelveli District to Pumpu Ganapathy Iyer and Meenakshi Iyer on January 27, 1926. She received initial training in Carnatic music at an early age from Kodaganallur Subbiah Bhagavatar and later under Gottuvadhyam vidhwan Seetharama Bhagavatar. She became a member of first music department of Tamil Nadu at an age of just 10. Seetha moved to Chennai in 1937 and trained alongside D. K. Pattammal and got the credit of youngest musician to receive the Gold Medal of Honour from The Music Academy.
Seetha got married at a younger age of 14 and her family obligations caused hindrance to perform, though she received training in Carnatic music at a younger age. She gave birth to 11 children. After the death of a prodigious son, she was heartbroken and with the encouragement of her family, she started performing at the age of 41. She has been one of the pioneers among woman musicians of the country and has received numerous honours including Kalaimamani award, Jalatarangam Vibushi by Ramakrishna Mission and TTK Award by Music Academy.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 24, 2013
