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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Nirmala Rajasekar
| image = Nirmala Rajasekar performing live in India.jpg
| caption = This is a picture of Nirmala Rajasekar performing live in the prestigious Janaranjini Sabha in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
| birth_name =
| alias =
| born = 11 December
| origin = [[Chennai]]
| instrument = [[Saraswati veena]]
| genre = [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]], [[world music]]
| occupation = Musician, composer, vocalist, vainika
| years_active =
| label = INNOVA
| website = www.nirmalarajasekar.com
}}
'''Nirmala Rajasekar''' is a [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] [[Saraswati veena]] player, composer, vocalist, and educator.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=May Artist Spotlight: Carnatic Composer Nirmala Rajasekar|url=https://www.compas.org/news/2016/5/25/may-artist-spotlight-carnatic-composer-nirmala-rajasekar|access-date=2020-10-22|website=COMPAS|language=en-US}}</ref> One of the world's premier veena players,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=USD Public Events NMM Live! Sounds of South India - Nirmala Rajasekar - Bedework Events Calendar|url=http://calendar.usd.edu/cal/event/showEventMore.rdo;jsessionid=84BB1BBC4B4248B2D5BF3980A07AFCD3|access-date=2020-10-22|website=calendar.usd.edu}}</ref> Rajasekar has performed at [[Carnegie Hall]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Swaminathan|first=G.|date=2019-12-25|title=A vainika's journey around the world|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/a-vainikas-journey-around-the-world/article30395636.ece|access-date=2020-10-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> the [[Headquarters of the United Nations|United Nations]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Shen|date=2017-05-29|title=Smt Nirmala Rajasekar (veena - Chennai/USA)|url=http://www.sangeetmela.org/sangeet-mela-2017/artists-2017/nirmala-rajasekar-veena/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=QLD Sangeet Mela Association|language=en-AU}}</ref> the [[Madras Music Academy]], [[Narada Gana Sabha]],<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last1=Dec 25|first1=B. Sivakumar / TNN /|last2=2019|last3=Ist|first3=11:49|title=TN: Veena exponent, violinist and flautist to present trigalbandi {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-veena-exponent-violinist-and-flautist-to-present-trigalbandi/articleshow/72964070.cms|access-date=2020-10-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> [[Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival|Sawai Gandharva Festival]],<ref name=":2" /> and the Konya International Mystic Music Festival.<ref name=":3" /> Rajasekar is the current Co-Chair of the [[American Composers Forum]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Board|url=https://composersforum.org/about/board/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=American Composers Forum|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Nirmala Rajasekar began her training in the Saraswati veena at the age of 6 in [[Chennai]]<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Renowned south Indian musician in Plymouth|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/10/25/renowned-south-indian-musician-makes-plymouth-her-home|access-date=2020-10-22|website=MPR News}}</ref> with Sri Deva Kottai Narayana Iyengar and Smt. Kamala Aswathama,<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|last=Venkataramanan|first=Geetha|date=2014-12-29|title=Strings that sing|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/chennai-margazhi-season/nirmala-rajasekars-mission-is-to-keep-the-veena-flag-flying-across-the-globe/article6735447.ece|access-date=2020-10-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> the mother of Smt. [[E. Gayathri]]. After moving to [[Bangalore]], she studied at the Gana Mandira School in [[Basavanagudi|Basavangudi]] with Smt. G Chennama and Smt. E. P. Alamelu.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Carnatic Saraswati veena by Nirmala Rajasekar|url=http://www.richmondrasikas.org/2017/05/carnatic-saraswati-veena-by-nirmala.html|access-date=2020-10-22}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> Rajasekar also received guidance from violinist Sri A.D. Zachariah<ref name=":7" /> and Veena Sri [[S. Balachander]].<ref name=":7" />

Rajasekar began her career as a soloist at the age of 13.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=Carnatic music master Nirmala Rajasekar passes on love for music|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/11/14/carnatic-music-master-nirmala-rajasekar-passes-on-love-for-music|access-date=2020-10-22|website=MPR News}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Four artists from India who made their mark on Minnesota|url=https://www.startribune.com/four-artists-from-india-who-made-their-mark-on-minnesota/528526162/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last=Khanna|first=Shailaja|date=2020-02-12|title=A sublime saraswati veena baithak by Nirmala Rajasekar|url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/120220/a-sublime-saraswati-veena-baithak-by-nirmala-rajasekar.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=The Asian Age}}</ref> Upon returning to Chennai, Rajasekar came under the tutelage of Saraswati veena player Smt. [[Kalpakam Swaminathan]], with whom she trained for nearly thirty years.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Upcoming Music Performances include Indian veena, American art songs and British Invasion|url=https://www.otterbein.edu/news/upcoming-music-performances-include-indian-veena-american-art-songs-and-british-invasion/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Otterbein University|language=en-US}}</ref> Through Swaminathan, Rajasekar is part of the [[Muthuswami Dikshitar|Dikshitar]] ''shisya parampara''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kalpakam Swaminathan {{!}} RadioWeb Carnatic|url=http://old.radioweb.in/programs/kalpakam-swaminathan-2|access-date=2020-10-23|website=old.radioweb.in}}</ref> In Chennai and [[Delhi]], Rajasekar studied Carnatic vocal music with Sri B. Sitarama Sarma and Prof [[T. R. Subramaniam|T.R. Subramaniam]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romero|first=Angel|title=Artist Profiles: Nirmala Rajasekar {{!}} World Music Central.org|url=https://worldmusiccentral.org/2018/08/07/artist-profiles-nirmala-rajasekar/|access-date=2020-10-22|language=en-US}}</ref> receiving a [[Government of India]] scholarship to study with the latter.<ref name=":7" />

== Musical career ==
Rajasekar has been performing and composing for over forty years.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=Vainika to win over Wisconsin|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/dec/11/vainika-to-win-over-wisconsin-2074335.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> In her career, Rajasekar performs traditional Carnatic repertoire as a Saraswati veena exponent<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":11" /> and creates contemporary works through compositions and collaborations.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":12" /> In 2020, Rajasekar was the annual Commissioned Composer of the [[University of Wisconsin–River Falls|University of Wisconsin-River Falls]], the longest-running program of its kind in the United States.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|title=Commissioned Composers|url=https://www.uwrf.edu/MUS/CommissionedComposers.cfm|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.uwrf.edu|language=en}}</ref> Past composers include [[Pauline Oliveros]], [[Morton Feldman]], [[John Cage]], [[Jennifer Higdon]], and [[Julia Wolfe]].<ref name=":13" />

In 2007, Rajasekar's album ''Song of the Veena'' was released by [[Innova Recordings]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Song of the Veena {{!}} Innova Recordings|url=https://www.innova.mu/albums/nirmala-rajasekar/song-veena|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.innova.mu}}</ref> and in 2010, [[Innova Recordings|Innova]] released her album ''Into the Raga.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Into the Raga {{!}} Innova Recordings|url=https://www.innova.mu/albums/nirmala-rajasekar/raga|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.innova.mu}}</ref> Rajasekar's third album with [[Innova Recordings|Innova]], a collaborative [[world music]] album called ''Maithree: The Music of Friendship'', was released in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maithree {{!}} Innova Recordings|url=https://www.innova.mu/albums/nirmala-rajasekar/maithree|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.innova.mu}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> The album was reviewed by [[Songlines (magazine)|Songlines]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review|url=https://www.songlines.co.uk/reviews/review|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Songlines|language=en}}</ref> [[WNYC|WNYC New Sounds]], and Jazz Weekly.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maithree {{!}} Innova Recordings|url=https://www.innova.mu/albums/nirmala-rajasekar/maithree|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.innova.mu}}</ref> Other albums include Sudha Saagara, released by Charsur Digital Workstation,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kutcheri- SudhaSaagara|url=http://charsur.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=359|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Charsur Digital Workstation|language=en}}</ref> and Melodic Expressions.<ref>{{Citation|title=Melodic Expressions - Veena (1998) - Nirmala Rajasekar|url=https://mio.to//album/Nirmala+Rajasekar/Melodic+Expressions|language=en|access-date=2020-10-22}}</ref>

Rajasekar has collaborated with artists including Pt. [[Ronu Majumdar]],<ref name=":4" /> [[Tarun Bhattacharya|Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Upadhyay|first=Aninda|date=18 October 2019|title=Jugalbandi|work=Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/northwest-arkansas-democrat-gazette/20191018/page/18|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref> Pt. Gaurav Majumdar,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Renowned Indian Musicians Take the Stage at CSUSM|url=https://news.csusm.edu/renowned-indian-musicians-take-the-stage-at-csusm/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Renowned Indian Musicians Take the Stage at CSUSM|language=en-us}}</ref> Sri [[Mysore Manjunath]],<ref name=":4" /> [[Sounds of Blackness]],<ref name=":1" /> [[Gao Hong]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Butterfly - Home Page|url=https://www.chinesepipa.com/Butterfly.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.chinesepipa.com}}</ref> [[Anthony Cox (musician)|Anthony Cox]],<ref name=":2" /> and poet [[Robert Bly]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|title=Performer & Teacher Nirmala Rajasekar – Ampers|url=http://ampers.org/mn-art-culture-history/performer-teacher-nirmala-rajasekar/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=ampers.org}}</ref>

Rajasekar is an A-Grade artist of [[All India Radio|All-India Radio]],<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|title=Veena Recital by Nirmala Rajasekar – Dhvani|url=https://dhvaniohio.org/event/veena-recital-by-nirmala-rajashekar/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=dhvaniohio.org}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> and has appeared on [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]],<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|date=2017-08-31|title=Music from the Goddess|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/godforbid/music-from-the-goddesses/8859716|access-date=2020-10-22|website=ABC Radio National|language=en-AU}}</ref> [[British Broadcasting Company]],<ref name=":1" /> and [[Doordarshan|Doordarshan Television]].<ref name=":15" /> Since 1989, Rajasekar has been a performing artist for the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]].<ref name=":15" /> Rajasekar has been featured at the [[National Music Museum]]<ref name=":1" /> and the "Beyond Bollywood" exhibit presented by the [[Minnesota Historical Society]] and the [[Smithsonian Institution]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Minnesota Historical Society|date=2016|title=Vibrant Accompaniment|url=http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/65/v65i01front.pdf|journal=Minnesota History}}</ref>

Since 1995, Rajasekar has lived in [[Minnesota]], [[United States|USA]],<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":10" /> touring several months each year to countries such as [[India]],<ref name=":6" /> [[Turkey]],<ref name=":3" /> [[Australia]],<ref name=":16" /> [[New Zealand]], and [[Singapore]].<ref name=":15" /> Rajasekar's daughter and student, Shruthi Rajasekar, is a composer and vocalist.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":9" />

== Positions ==
Rajasekar is the founder and artistic director of the Naadha Rasa Center for Music,<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":3" /> and was recognized with the Prof. T.R. Subrahmanyam Teaching Award by the [[Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival|url=https://stepoutside.org/event/cleveland-thyagaraja-festival-2019-04-20-cleveland-oh.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=stepoutside.org|language=en}}</ref> She is also a COMPAS teaching artist.<ref name=":0" /> Rajasekar currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of the [[American Composers Forum]]<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":17">{{Cite web|title=IMSOM Concert: Nirmala Rajasekar (Veena)|url=https://www.imsom.org/events/20200614.html|access-date=2020-10-23|website=www.imsom.org}}</ref> and the Vice President of the Global Carnatic Musicians Association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Carnatic Musician's Association - Committee Members|url=https://www.gcma.in/committee-members.php|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.gcma.in}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

== Awards ==

* 2020 Annual Commissioned Composer of [[University of Wisconsin–River Falls|University of Wisconsin-River Falls]]<ref name=":13" />
* 2018 Pratibha Puraskar ("Genius Prize") from Delhi Telugu Academy<ref name=":17" />
* Vocational Excellence Award from [[Rotary International|Rotary Club International]]<ref>http://diftv.corridor-design.com/season-8/nirmala-rajasekar/</ref>
* 2010 [[McKnight Foundation|McKnight Fellowship]]<ref>https://www.mcknight.org/grant-programs/arts/past-mcknight-artist-fellows</ref>
* 2006 [[Bush Foundation|Bush Fellowship]]<ref>https://www.bushfoundation.org/fellows/nirmala-rajasekar</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajasekar, Nirmala}}
[[Category:Saraswati veena players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Indian women classical musicians]]
[[Category:Female Carnatic musicians]]
[[Category:Carnatic musicians]]
[[Category:Indian music educators]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:Women music educators]]
[[Category:20th-century women composers]]

Nirmala Rajasekar - Revision history

LukasBeg27134: added info

imported>Citation bot: Alter: title. Add: authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by BrownHairedGirl | Linked from User:BrownHairedGirl/Articles_with_bare_links | #UCB_webform_linked 1617/2132