The violin that strings together the East and the West
It was presented to Vadivelu, the youngest of Thanjavur quartet, by Swathi Tirunal.
The violin made of ivory remains a testimony to the collaboration between the Western and Carnatic music. A visitor to the ancient house of the Thanjavur Quartet — Chinnaya, Ponnaiya, Sivanandam and Vadivelu — at 1880, West Main Street, Thanjavur, can see the instrument which was played by Vadivelu, the youngest of the family.
“It was presented to Vadivelu by Travancore King and composer Swathi Tirunal in 1834. Conch, the emblem of Travancore, has been carved on the right hand side of the instrument,” said dance teacher K.P.K. Chandrasekar, who belongs to the eighth generation of the Thanjavur Quartet. Vadivelu had learnt the instrument from a Christian priest at the Thanjavur palace. He had also accompanied his brothers in their concerts with his instrument.♣