VIDWAN VEENA
DORESWAMY IYENGAR
CENTENARY CELEBRATION (1919-2019)
VTP III: When Veena Becomes Medicine
By its third iteration in November 2019, Veena Tattva Prakashika had found its distinctive voice: rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry bringing contemporary scientific methodologies to traditional knowledge claims. If VTP I established the concept and VTP II proved viability, VTP III crystallized identity—a conference where veena culture and cutting-edge research coexist without contradiction.
"VTP III distinguished itself through unprecedented concentration on medical and therapeutic dimensions... not alternative medicine speculation but rigorous scientific inquiry into measurable physiological and neurological effects."
The Doreswamy Iyengar Legacy
Padmabhushan Vidwan Veena Doreswamy Iyengar (1920-1997) embodied excellence across multiple dimensions: performer of highest caliber, devoted teacher, preservationist of traditional repertoire, and institutional builder. His centenary year (2019) provided perfect occasion for VTP III's dedication, honoring an artist whose career spanned most of the 20th century—witnessing and navigating profound transformations in Indian classical music's social context.
Medical Research Breakthrough
VTP III distinguished itself through unprecedented concentration on medical and therapeutic dimensions. Three landmark presentations explored veena's healing potential. Dr. Jayashree's "Study of the Effect of Veena Nadam in the Treatment of Diabetes and Hyper Tension" represented groundbreaking clinical research. Dr. B K Durga Prasad continued his pioneering imaging work with functional magnetic resonance imaging to map brain activity during raga listening. Dr. Geetha R Bhat explored therapeutic applications for special needs.
Collectively, these presentations positioned VTP as serious forum for music-medicine research.
VTP III Breakthroughs
Marking the convergence of traditional musical wisdom and modern medical science with four distinct breakthroughs.
Diabetes & Hypertension Research
Clinical Investigation
BREAKTHROUGH: First controlled clinical study examining veena music's therapeutic effects on Type 2 Diabetes blood sugar levels and Hypertension.
Measurable improvements observed in treatment groups, suggesting veena's sustained tones trigger positive physiological responses.
fMRI Brain Study
Mapping Neural Response
BREAKTHROUGH: Using functional MRI to map brain activity during raga listening. Do trained musicians' brains respond differently?
Provided objective neurological evidence for subjectively experienced emotional responses (Rasa) to music.
Special Needs Applications
Therapeutic Transformation
BREAKTHROUGH: Systematic documentation of veena's potential for autism spectrum disorders and cerebral palsy.
Demonstrated how veena's tactile feedback and visual engagement create multi-sensory experiences beneficial for neurodiverse individuals.
Navavarna Kritis Opening
Spiritual-Musical Excellence
SIGNIFICANCE: Opening VTP III with Dikshitar's Navavarna cycle—one of veena repertoire's most demanding compositions.
While VTP III emphasized science, this affirmed that scientific inquiry and spiritual reverence are complementary.
Conference Schedule
Two days of intensive immersion in veena culture and science
Inauguration & Morning Session
Inauguration Ceremony
Divya Sanidhya: Avadhoota Sri. Dinesh Guruji | Guests: Ubhayagana Vidushi Shyamala G Bhave, Sri A R Raghuram
Inaugural Concert: Dikshitar Navavarna Kritis
Mridangam: Vidwan Sunil Subramanya. Complete cycle performance.
Research: Making of Veena Melam & Acoustic AmplificationResearch
Technical exploration of sound amplification and acoustic optimization.
Concert: Raga Nasamani / Nasikabhushini
Mridangam: Vidwan Sunil Subramanya
LANDMARK STUDY: Veena Nadam for Diabetes & HypertensionResearch
Clinical study on physiological effects of veena music on blood sugar and BP.
Afternoon Session
Concert (Emani Tradition)
Mridangam: Vidwan Ramanujam | Ghatam: Vidwan Srishaila
Research: Varieties of TanamResearch
Practical demonstration of tanam types and techniques.
Concert
Mridangam: Vidwan Ramanujam | Ghatam: Vidwan Srishaila
Tea/Coffee Break
Research: Historical Development of VeenaResearch
Veena's evolution in the context of Indian civilizational history.
Evening Session
Concert: Raga Vagadeeshwari
Mridangam: Vidwan Chetan Murthy | Ghatam: Vidwan V S Ramesh
Research: Veena in Chaturdandi PrakashikaResearch
Analysis of 17th-century musicological text.
Feature Concert: Tribute to Emani Shankar Shastri
Granddaughter of Emani Shankar Shastri. Mridangam: Vidwan B S Prashanth | Ghatam: Vidwan V S Ramesh
Interactive Resources
Deep dive into the research data, archives, and musical legacy of VTP III.
Medical Research Hub
Access full papers, statistical data, and patient protocols from the diabetes and hypertension studies.
fMRI Visualizer
Interactive 3D view of brain activation patterns during specific raga listening sessions.
Centenary Archive
Doreswamy Iyengar's life in photos, rare recordings, and the complete teaching lineage map.
Distinguished Scholars
Leading voices in medical, acoustic, and historical research
Dr. B.K. Durga Prasad
Radiologist & Vainika
"fMRI Raga Study, Neuroimaging"
Dr. Jayashree
Ayurvedic Physician
"Diabetes & Hypertension Treatment"
Dr. Geetha R Bhat
Music Therapist
"Special Needs Applications"
Vid. Bharadwaj Raman
Acoustician
"Veena Melam & Amplification"
Dr. R.S. Nandakumar
Musicologist
"Chaturdandi Prakashika"
Prof. Veturi Ananda Murthy
Historian
"Veena in Indian History"
Dr. Nagendra Shastry
Literary Scholar
"Veena in Kannada Literature"
Vid. Kadambi Sethu Raman
Agama Scholar
"Veena in Pancharatra Agama"
Vid. Duddu Seetharamaiah
Vainika
"Varieties of Tanam"
Featured Artists
Maestros accompanying the medical research focus with artistic excellence
Vidushi Revathi Srinivasan
Featured Soloist
Opening Navavarna Kritis
Dr. Shobana Swaminathan
Vainika & Physician
Opening Duo Performance
Vidushi Emani Kalyani
Emani Legacy
Granddaughter of Emani Shankar Shastri
Vidushi Emani Lalitha
Emani Legacy
Daughter of Emani Shankar Shastri
Vidwan Prashanth Iyengar
Conference Director
Performing with son Master Sreerama
Vidushi Prof. Balambal
Veteran Academic
Closing Feature Concert
Vidushi Jayashree Aravind
Featured Soloist
Rag Vageshwari
Vidushi Vani Yadunandan
Featured Soloist
Raga Nasikabhushini
Vidwan Srinivasa Prasanna
Emerging Maestro
Raga Ramapriya
Dr. Ramavarapu Madhuri Devi
Vainika
Raga Rasikapriya
Vidushi Sahana
Vainika
Classical Concert
Vidushi Bharadwaj Raman
Performer-Researcher
Concert & Acoustics Demo
Accompanied by distinguished mridangam and ghatam artists including Dr. Thillaisthanam Suriyanarayanan, Vid. Sunil Subramanya, and Vid. B.S. Prashanth.
Collaborative Achievement
Primary Organizers
Sreerama Centre of Performing Arts ®
Veenaganalaya
Founded by Vidushi M S Padmasini Narasimhachar
Veena Doreswamy Iyengar Memorial Trust ®
Centenary Partner
Preserving the legacy of a maestro
Kalpavruksha Charitable Trust ®
Financial Partner
Enabled the conference's free-entry model, ensuring economic barriers didn't limit access to this medical-cultural knowledge.
Shaale.com & Ravindra Kalakshetra
Digital & Venue Partners
Providing global live streaming reach and world-class acoustic facilities for the conference.
"With the Divine Blessing of Malola Lakshmi Narasimha"