Veena Artist Maya varma is better known for her chittathanam recital, the age-old tradition of playing the veena in which rhythm has much importance.
Maya Varma , the renowned veena artiste, is known for giving a wider appeal to the instrument rather than accompanying in vocal concerts. Through her Veena concerts this artiste holds the audience spellbound. Perhaps, Maya is better known for her 'Chittathanam' recital, the age - old tradition of playing the veena in which rhythm has much importance. Maya has over four decades of experience.
Maya was born in the Ananthapuram palace, which has a special place in cultural history of Kerala. The family, renowned for its passion for music, has given birth to several talented veena artistes.
From generation to generation, along with the passion for music, the family passes on a precious possession, an 'Ekanda Veena' gifted by Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma to Kerala Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran. He handed over the veena to his niece, Karthika Thirunal. She was a renowned veena artiste and was a regular performer at temples and places. The unique tone set off by this rare veena made of a single piece of wood instantly captivates the audience. Maya is the great grand – daughter of the princess and the current owner of the veena.
Born on 10th October 1961, Maya Varma belongs to the Haripad Ananthapuram Palace. Her mother Ahalya Raja, was a well known Veena artiste and her father Kunjunni Raja of Kodungalloor is a connoisseur of music. Maya started her first lessons in Veena from her illustrious mother. She has inherited the qualities of head and heart of the late Sri Kerala Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran (alias Kerala Kalidasa), her great grand uncle. She is married to Sri. Ganesh, a well known Automobile Mechanic who is also an ardent of music.
After having graduated in commerce from the university of Kerala in 1982, Maya joined the famous Swathi Thirunal Music Academy at Thiruvananthapuram and obtained the Gana Bhooshanam in first rank and the Gana Praveena in Second Rank. She was awarded a certificate for Veena performance by Padmsree K.J. Yesudas when she was only thirteen.
Maya is 'B' Grade Artist of the All India Radio. She has rendered Veena recitals on all the Kerala based TV channels. Her artistry on the Veena has taken her, on invitation, to a few foreign countries like France.
She has also performed in many fusion music programs. Maya also successfully performed for a few films and stage plays in the 80's and 90's. She composed the music for her own musical album ‘Krishna Sruthi’, which was rendered by famous musicions like Kavalam Sreekumar, G. Venugopal, Vidu Prathap, and Bhavana Radhkrishnan. She has also accompanied famous artists like Dr. Deepthi Omcheri, Dr. Neena Prasad, Dr. Bharathi Sivaji and Kalamandalam Kshemavathi. Her devotional bhajans on the veena (Audio CD ‘Maya Murali’) is a masterpiece.Maya Varma still continuous her successful music journey.