The Inception
In early 2014, Vidwan Prashanth Iyengar experienced what he describes as divine intervention—a compelling vision that the veena, despite its exalted position in Indian musical tradition, required a dedicated platform exploring its full dimensions. Existing conferences celebrated Carnatic music broadly, but none focused exclusively on this divine instrument that scripture describes as Saraswati's own.
The location chosen for this inaugural gathering was itself significant: Mantralaya, the sacred abode of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, one of the most revered saints in the Madhwa tradition. This setting established from the very beginning that VTP would not be a purely secular academic conference but rather a sacred undertaking—an exploration of the veena as yantra (instrument) in both musical and spiritual senses.
"That first gathering felt like coming home—musicians and scholars who had spent years working in isolation suddenly realized they were part of a community."
The success of VTP I exceeded all expectations. What began as a hopeful experiment became a foundational moment for the global veena community, planting the seeds for a movement that would grow in scope and ambition over the next decade.
Inaugural Highlights
- Community Formation First major specific gathering of Vainikas
- Four-Fold Framework Established the Goshti structure
- Sacred Context Held at the holy Mantralaya kshetra
The Four-Fold Framework
VTP I established the intellectual and spiritual structure that would guide future editions, dividing proceedings into four distinct "Goshtis" or assemblies.
Adhyatmika Goshti
Spiritual Discourse
Vichara Goshti
Intellectual Inquiry
Praatyakshika Goshti
Practical Demonstration
Madhyama Goshti
Contemporary Context
Conference Proceedings
Session 1: Adhyatmika Goshti
Spiritual Dimensions of Veena
Veena and Veda, Mantra, Tantra Shastra, Gayatrimantra
Vidwan Srihari Sharma
Role of Veena in Yajnas, Seemanthonnayana Samskara, Temple Rituals
Scholarly Panel
Veena in Sanskrit Literature
Dr. T.S. Sathyavathi
Paper Presentation
Session 2: Vichara Goshti
Historical & Scientific Inquiry
Historical Development of Veena
Vidwan Prashanth Iyengar
Contribution of Karnataka for the Historical Evolution of Veena
Vidwan Nandakumar (Dr. R.S. Nandakumar)
Also presented on Veena in Iconography
Veena in the Works of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar
Mysore V. Subramanya
Paper Presentation
Veena in the Court of Mysore Wadeyars
Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh
Principles Involved in the Design and Development of Veena
Dr. P K Srivathsa
Gurukula System of Veena Education and Best Practices
Podukotai R K Murthy
Contribution of Mysore Samsthan to the Propagation of Veena
Vidwan Shimoga Nagraj
Veena in Comparison to Human Body
Vidwan Veena Ananthapadmanabhan
Session 3: Praatyakshika Goshti
Demonstrations & Technique
Concept of Panchadasha and Dashavidha Gamaka
Prof. Ra Vishweshwaran
A Welcome Look of the Varnam on the Veena
Prof. Ra Vishweshwaran
Making of Veena Melam
Prof. R K Murthy
Rhythmic Approaches in Veena
Vid. Manargudi Easwaran
Veena and Laya (Rhythm)
Dr. H.S. Sudhindra
Session 4: Madhyama Goshti
Veena in Society & Media
Role of Media in the Preservation and Propagation of Veena
Panel Discussion
Role of Sabhas and Rasikas in the Propagation of Veena
Panel Discussion
Veena as a Symbol of Ancient Indian Culture
Prof. Ra Vishweshwaran
The Usage of Classical Veena in Yesteryears Films
Film Studies Panel
Research Papers Presented
Veena in the Works of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar
Mysore V. Subramanya
Veena in Sanskrit Literature
Dr. T.S. Sathyavathi
Veena in Iconography
Dr. R.S. Nandakumar
Veena in the Court of Mysore Wadeyars
Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh
Veena and Laya (Rhythm)
Dr. H.S. Sudhindra
Rhythmic Approaches in Veena
Vid. Manargudi Easwaran