By Dr. Rama V. Bennur
The names Veene and Seshanna (1852-1926) are inseparable. His contribution to the field of Veena is remarkable. He was mainly responsible for spreading Mysuru’s galore of music in and out of India. It is believed that it was he, who is responsible for the famed ‘Mysuru Baani’ or style of playing. He was a pious devotee of Saraswathi, hailed from a reputed family of Vainikas who adorned the court of Mysuru. He was also adept in playing violin, Piano, Jaltarang and Swarabath. Seshanna was also a great composer. His Thillanas are popular among musicians and dancers. He has composed in many rare ragas like Jhalavarali, Gamanashrama and Rishabhapriya and taalas like Sankeerna Mattya, Mishra Triputa and Khanda Dhruva. His disciples include the famous Veena Venkatagiriyappa, Shermadevi Subramanya Shastri, Laxminaranappa, Tirumalai Rajamma, Artist Venkatappa and his grandson Swaramurthy V.N. Rao. Dr. Doreswami Iyengar, M.J. Srinivasaiyengar and R.N. Doreswamy and M.K. Saraswathi, all belong to his Shishya Parampare. Hence, one can say that his legacy is continuing. ‘Ganabharathi,’ which has a building in Seshanna’s name, celebrated his day on the 12th of November in a unique way by arranging Veena recitals from morning to night. Many eminent Vainikas paid rich tributes to the Great Vainika by including his compositions in their playing. Vidu. Bharathi opened the series accompanied by Saishivu (Mridanga) and S. Manjunath (Ghata) with his Varna in the raga Jhalavarali. Apart from ‘Mahaganapathim’, she played ‘Ubhaya Kaveri Ranga’ (Gamanashrama) and a tillana (Khamach) of Seshanna.
