HYDERABAD: In a world where career paths often seem rigid and narrowly defined, there exist exceptional individuals who embark on a unique journey, seamlessly blending their professional expertise with their deepest passions. One such remarkable individual is Veenadhari Bhamidipaty, who harmoniously integrates her career as an engineer with an unwavering passion for music.
Born as the younger daughter of Dr. BK Durga Prasad and Dr. G Indira, Veenadhari’s journey takes her from her early schooling at Sri Krishna Vidya Mandir to her college education at FIITJEE. Currently pursuing a B.Tech in Computer Science – Data Science at GITAM (Deemed to be University), she stands out for her exceptional talent in the realm of music, having been chosen for the prestigious Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi Fellowship by the Mumbai-based Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha. This esteemed fellowship entitles her to a substantial annual grant for three years. Veenadhari’s musical odyssey commenced at the tender age of 8 when she embarked on the journey of learning the veena, an exquisite South Indian musical instrument, under the tutelage of her father.
Reflecting on her remarkable achievement, she humbly shares, “To secure this scholarship, three A-grade artists had to recommend the student, or the awardee, through a letter to the organization. This letter is needed to assert that I am deserving of this award and should be selected. Once the organization gave their approval, I was selected for this prestigious three-year fellowship. It’s a significant accomplishment because it’s a highly competitive scholarship, with applicants from all over India.
Typically, the selected students are primarily violin or vocal music artists. I am possibly the 10th or 11th awardee, and the first veena artist to be selected from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana since the scholarship’s inception. Balancing my studies and music has been quite challenging, but my university has been incredibly supportive. Whenever I had mid-term exams and a concert scheduled on the same day, they kindly postponed the exam and conducted it individually for me.”
Veenadhari has built a strong foundation in engineering through her education and professional experience. While engineering has provided her with a fulfilling career, her true passion resides in the world of music. From a young age, she has honed her skills in both vocal and instrumental music, with a particular focus on playing the veena in the Carnatic style. Her father, a renowned veena artist, has been her guru, and she has had the privilege of accompanying him in many concerts and also performing numerous solo concerts. Additionally, she has assisted her father in conducting a unique study that explores the fascinating similarities between the veena instrument and the human anatomy using radiological imaging techniques.
Elaborating on this intriguing study, she explains, “Our research is titled ‘Neuroradiology Intertwined with Veena: A Radiologist’s Perspective.’ I had the privilege of assisting my father and guru, Dr. BK Durga Prasad (a Radiologist and an A-grade veena artist), in conducting this remarkable research. We conducted a comprehensive study that involved a CT scan of the veena instrument, which we compared with MRI imagery of the human body. Our groundbreaking research was accepted for publication in the prestigious National Medical Journal of India. Astonishingly, our findings revealed a remarkable analogy between the veena and the human anatomy.
The 24 frets on the veena, akin to the 24 vertebrae in the human spine, exhibited a striking parallel in their gradual reduction of inter-fret distances, mirroring the diminishing gaps between intervertebral spaces. Furthermore, the instrument’s seven strings bore a striking resemblance to the human nervous plexuses, adding an intriguing layer of connection to our study. Finally, the resonator box, with its captivating sonorous qualities, drew an evocative comparison to the human head, serving as a captivating bridge between art and medicine.”
Looking ahead, Veenadhari has plans to work in an engineering-related job after completing her B.Tech, with intention to settle in Chennai for 2-3 years. She also envisions furthering her education. When asked about her musical aspirations, she expresses her deep admiration for TM Krishna, a renowned vocalist, and her desire to perform alongside him in the future. She considers him an idol she has looked up to throughout her life.
For more news click here!
