Thiruvizha Jayashankar

• Name — Thiruvizha Jayashankar • Born — 1 February 1940 • Birthplace — Thiruvizha, Cherthala Alleppey, India • Genre — Indian classical music • Instrument — Nagaswaram • Occupation — Music Performer • Years Active — 1955–present • Illustration — Thiruvizha Jayashankar

Born in the family of musicians in a small village Thiruvizha, Alleppey, Jayashankar was keen to learn music and drawing in his childhood. He is the son of nadaswara maestro Thiruvizha Raghava Panickar and grandson of Thiruvizha Sanku Panickar. Jayashankar opted for preliminary lessons in the nagaswaram under his grandfather and later received advanced training from his father with whom he began playing in the temples of central Travancore almost on a regular basis. His debut performance (Arangetram) was in the year 1955 at the age of 16 which was held at the Pathiyoor Devi Temple, Kayamkulam. He has completed his diploma (Ganabhooshanam) in music from RLV College of Music and Fine Arts (University of Kerala) in 1957. noted Indian playback singer K. J. Yesudas was his batch mate. After the completion of diploma course, he has taken BA degree in music from Government College, Chittur (University of Caicut) near Palakkad and post graduate diploma (Ganapraveena) from Swathi Thirunal College of Music (University of Kerala), Trivandrum.

Jayashankar opted for a central Government job in All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram in 1965 and worked there till retirement. He was also a visiting professor at Annamalai University, Chidambaram. His musical journey with great thavil mastro Valayapatti A. R. Subramaniam proved to be a landmark in live nadaswaram concerts. Haripad Murukadas and Vettikkavala Sasi Kumar are few of his famous disciples.