Veena Kinhal represents the Sixth generation of an eminent family of vainikas (veena players) from Mysore. Her Father and Guru, Mysore L Raja Rao (1909 – 1979) was foremost among vainika-s of his generation. Her grandfather “Bhairavi” Lakshminaranappa (1878 – 1934) was a court musician in the Mysore palace during the time of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Odeyar.

Veena Kinhal

Veena was only five years old when she began her intensive training in both vocal and veena from her Father. She performed her first full-length concert at the age of ten, and was hailed as a child prodigy in Karnataka.

At age 14, she received 1st place in the Veene Sheshanna Memorial Competition and was awarded a veena, presented to her by V.V. Giri, Vice-President of India. In the year 1970, Veena was recipient of a Gold Medal in music from Bangalore University. In the same year, she completed Vidvat- proficiency level examination with a 1st rank.

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Listen to Veene RajaRao’s swarajati in Hamsanandi played by Veena Kinhal.

 

Veena has continued her association with karnatic music even after moving to the United States in 1973.
She is now based in San Diego, California where she has continued to teach and perform.

Sunaada Radio is grateful to Sri Sreenivas RajaRao and RajaRao foundation for generously sharing her albums for the benefit of all rasikas.

Please contact rajaraofoundation AT gmail DOT com for Veena’s audio albums.