N. Rajam (born 8 April 1938) is an Indian violinist who performs Hindustani classical music. She remained professor of music at Banaras Hindu University, eventually became head of the department and the dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts of the university.
N. Rajam was born in Chennai in 1938 in a musical family. Her father, Vidwan A. Narayana Iyer was a well-known exponent of Carnatic music.[1] Her brother, T. N. Krishnan, was a prominent violinist of the Carnatic style. Rajam started her initial training in Carnatic music under her father. She also trained under Musiri Subramania Iyer, and learned raga development from vocalist Omkarnath Thakur.
N.Rajam is married to T.S.Subramanian, a chartered accountant and a former executive of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Her mother in law Mrs. Padma Swaminathan,social activist and Carnatic music singer, was the last surviving daughter of F. G. Natesa Iyer[2][3] Mrs. Vani Jairam,playback singer in South Indian cinema, is her sister in law.
Under the guidance of her father, A. Narayana Iyer, Rajam developed the Gayaki Ang (vocal style). Rajam has performed across the globe and in numerous places throughout India.
Rajam was a professor of music at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in the Faculty of Performing Arts for nearly 40 years. She has been the chair of the department and the dean of the college at BHU.
^"Coimbatore: Fans, family celebrate Padma Swaminathan's hundred and first birthday". Deccan Chronicle. 9 December 2017. featured her famous musician daughter-in-law Dr N Rajam, her daughter Sangeetha Shankar, and her grandchildren Ragini Shankar and Nandini Shankar giving a brilliant violin concert accompanied by Kedar Kharaton on table. That was followed by another world famous musician Vani Jairam, another daughter-in-law, rendering two compositions.
^"Padma Swaminathan's 100th birthday". srutimag.blogspot.com. Sruthi Magazine. 15 May 2018. The two-day celebration of Padma Swaminathan's 100th birthday on 1 December at Brindavan Hill, Coimbatore was attended by her family including (L to R): Nandini Shankar (great granddaughter), Shankar Devraj (Sangita's husband), T.S. Jairam (son) and Vani Jairam, Padma Swaminathan, N. Rajam and T.S. Subramanian (son), Sangita Shankar (granddaughter) and Ragini Shankar (great granddaughter). It was followed by a violin concert by N. Rajam (daughter-in-law) with Sangita, Nandini and Ragini accompanied by Kedar Kharaton (tabla). Vocalist Vani Jairam (daughter-in-law) rendered a few compositions.
