Śrī R K Veṅkaṭarāma Śāstri (1907-1993)

Śrī R K Veṅkaṭarāma Śāstri (1907-1993) - Veteran violinist of Rudrapatna

R.K. Veṅkaṭarāma Śāstri —Shriramkumar’s grandfather - is the crucial local linchpin who connects the Mysore lineage (Subbannā, Sēśannā, Chowdiah, Sadashiva Rao) with the Rudrapatna family tradition. Accounts, interviews and family histories describe Veṅkaṭarāma Śāstri as a respected violinist and pedagogue who studied under the Mysore masters, Vīṇa Subbannā and T. Chowdiah, and later established his own reputation in Madras. He emphasized gāyaki (vocal) ideal in violin playing, stressing sāhitya awareness and melodic expressiveness—values that his grandson R.K. Shriramkumar explicitly credits as foundational. Archival articles and profiles of the Rudrapatna family cite Veṅkaṭarāma Śāstri's concerts, his All India Radio presence, and his role in shaping a family milieu that produced multiple distinguished musicians (R.K. Srikantan, Rudrapatnam brothers, etc.). In short, Veṅkaṭarāma Śāstri is the practical bridge who wove a musical fabric of Mysore and Tanjavur. 

This is one lineage that culminates today in Vidvān RK Shriramkumar.