Lalgudi Gopala Iyer Jayaraman, born on September 17, 1930, in Edayathumangalam, British India, was a Carnatic violinist, vocalist, and composer. Trained by his father V.R. Gopala Iyer, Jayaraman began his musical career at age 12 as an accompanying violinist to Carnatic musicians. He later rose as a prominent soloist, expanding the style of violin playing with his unique technique known as Lalgudi Bani. Jayaraman composed several kritis, tillanas, varnams, and dance compositions, blending raga, bhava, rhythm, and lyrical beauty. He accompanied leading vocalists, including Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and M.D. Ramanathan, and performed extensively in India and abroad. Jayaraman received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2001. Jayaraman passed away on April 22, 2013. His biography, An Incurable Romantic, was released posthumously in 2013.
