This is the challenging adventure of Veena Vidushi Manipal Arunakumari, who is considered as The World’s First Blind B-High Grade Veena Artist of Excellence, with AIR grading and Vidushi qualifications.
Born in 1966, she lost her vision at the tender age of 7 years (1973) due to bilateral retina detachment (pathological myopia). All medical treatments such as surgery, eye grafting, allopathic, homeopathic systems were of no use according to the experts in the field.
However, her parents suggested her to learn Carnatic classical music to stand on her own legs.
The initial strong foundation in vocal music was laid by the well known Vidwan Sri. Udupi Vasudeva Bhat, which was later continued by Smt Lalitha Ballal and Vidwan Sri. Sooralu Parameshwara Bhat. She began learning the challenging Veena under Veena Vidushi Smt. K.R.Lakshmi Iyengar in 1978. She was initiated to violin by Vidwan Sri. K.Raghavendra Bhat. The sincere, affectionate coaching from her teachers and constant full time practice and listening to cassettes, CD’s, radio etc., made her to attain the otherwise impossible achievements.
Academic Excellence:
VEENA JUNIOR GRADE — HIGH DISTINCTION
VEENA SENIOR GRADE — I RANK
VIDWATH (P.G.LEVEL) — II RANK
B-HIGH GRADE — ALL INDIA RADIO
CLASSICAL VOCAl:
Junior Grade — II Rank
Senior Grade —- High Distinction
M.A. in SOCIOLOGY —- Karnataka State Open University
VIOLIN —- Good Teaching skill
She has also taken a superspeciality training in Veena under the well known Vainika Sri. A.Ananthapadmanabhan, AIR, Thrissur