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Biography
Thanjavur Muktha also spelt Mukta (1914–2007) was one of the foremost representatives of the Veena Dhanammal school of Carnatic Music. She along with her elder sister T. Brinda formed one of the first women duo singers.
Muktha had much of her initial training from her mother Kamakshi. This training was in the Veena Dhanammal style, a style of Carnatic Music known for its unhurried, alluring movements, as also for its use of intricate gamakas (graces) in the handling of ragas (modes). Additionally, Muktha (along with Brinda) trained for a substantial length of time under Kanchipuram Naina Pillai, whose style of music was marked by agility and robustness in laya (rhythm). After her training under Naina Pillai, Muktha learnt from her aunt Lakshmiratnam. The legendary Veena Dhanammal, who was Muktha's grandmother, herself taught her some compositions. She gave her first performance at the age of eight. She was the last disciple of Veena Dhanammal and her last concert was in Cleveland in 2003.
Muktha was a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award awarded in 1972.
