Smt. Dawina Venthan is a vocalist, teacher and performer with a vision to impart the gift of Carnatic classical music to the younger generation and keep them connected to their roots.
Born into a family of musicians, Dawina represents the fourth generation of music practitioners in her family. She grew up surrounded by music and some exceptional musicians and performers of their time. Her first guru was her mother “Kalajothi” Smt. Vanaja Srinivasan, who is a well-known Carnatic music artist in Srilanka and was awarded the title of “Kalajothi” by the Sri Lankan Government for her service in music. Dawina continued her musical journey under the tutelage of Kala Bhushanam Sri Yazhpanam S Pathmalingam and later under smt Shobha Shekhar, following her migration to Australia in 1995. Her learning journey continues even today with Guru Sri S Pathmalingam.
Smt. Dawina completed her Masters of Teaching at Monash University and teaches secondary students in Melbourne. She combines her passion for teaching and music and believes in handing over this amazing art form over to our children in its purest form to ensure they become future advocates of classical music and preserve its legacy. To realize her vision of preserving this ancient art form for future generations and create a community of music lovers, Smt.Dawina started Ragamaliga School of Carnatic music, here in Melbourne, a place she has called home for more than two decades. Her students are talented, confident and devoted to their musical training. They have represented Ragamaliga school of Carnatic music with pride at various events and concerts and have won several awards and accolades over the years. Students of Ragamaliga produced their first album containing Childrens Tamil rhymes in form of songs, an album created by kids for the kids called “Chittukkalin Thein Thulihal” in 2010. Ragamaliga was also the first school to have the honour of representing Tamil culture in the Victorian Parliament.
Dawina is a proponent of exploring all genres of music and inspires her students to perform not only classical forms but film music and fusion music as well. She is a skilled voice trainer and encourages her students to cherish all forms of music and benefit from this divine art form.
Her great- grandfather late sri Sivasithambaram (Param), was a renowned Carnatic music performer and violinist who founded the North Ceylon Oriental Music Society (NCOMS) to formalize the syllabus and conduct Carnatic music and Dance examinations in Sri Lanka. Following in his footsteps, Dawina formed the Param Academy of Fine Arts in Victoria in 2018, which facilitates the process of conducting and grading Carnatic vocal, instrumental and dance exams through the academy. This examination is affiliated with the Madras University and Academy of fine arts (London) and recognized worldwide.
Smt. Dawina has represented Carnatic classical music and Tamil culture at various forums both in Australia and abroad. She is a Victorian registered teacher and supports Melbourne Tamil language schools as a mentor teacher. She regularly works with local councils and cultural societies to promote Indian classical music to young Australians. Through Ragamaliga, Smt.Dawina endeavours to encourage and empower each of her students to take pride in their heritage and develop into leaders in their chosen musical journey.
Vocalist I Artistic director & Founder- Ragamaliga School of Carnatic Music
Smt.Dawina Venthan
OUR STORY
Umamaheshwari Sivalingakumar
Umamaheswari Sivalingakumar commenced her Carnatic vocal music lessons in 2011 under the guidance of Smt. Dawina Venthan at the age of 7.
Maheswari has recently completed her arangetram in September of 2023 Maheswari graduated from Nossal High in 2021 and is now studying a double bachelor degree in Business and Design at Monash University.
During the past 12 years that she has been learning Carnatic music, Maheswari has also developed a keen interest in Hindustani and Western music. Maheswari enjoys performing various genres and exploring the different styles of music. She is endowed with a mellifluous voice and displays a strong sense of commitment, clearly evident when she started assisting in training the junior students at ragamaliga.
Her tenure as a music teacher at Ragmaliga has helped her appreciate the beauty of the rudimentary grammar of Carnatic music. Maheswari completed second year Diploma vocal examinations through the Academy of Fine Arts (London), and passed with a distinction.
