Kanyakumari, the southern most part of India is a unique place. Where the three seas, namely, the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the mighty Indian Ocean converge and the waves carry the waters of all these seas. To a connoisseur of music, the name Kanyakumari refers to the eminent lady violinist, who has carved a niche for herself in music but is still a discerning student, creating waves by her innovative musical (ad) ventures.

Kum Kanyakumari comes from a traditional, music loving family, her mother being a veena player who plays for "athma thrupthi" or personal satisfaction. Shri Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao, a disciple of Dwaram Narasingarao Naidu and AIR staff artiste, Vishakapatnam, was her first guru. Later on, she learnt from Shri M. Chandrasekharan, whose "nadaswara bani" captivated her. Smt. M.L. Vasanthakumari was her betenoire and Kum Kanyakumari was her violin accompanist for many years - the relationship between the two being akin to that of a mother and daughter. Kum Kanyakumari has founded "Vasanthapriya", a cultural outfit to promote classical music and all the concerts here are dedicated to Smt. MLV’s sacred memory!

Kum Kanyakumari’s innovative musical forays include Thristayi Sangamam (three instruments play on each register respectively) playing along with the nadaswaram and veena (or flute) (Vadhyalahari) and also a 50-violin concert to mark the golden jubilee of India’s independence. On the anvil is a venture with 100 instruments, each instrument playing a raga, to mark the millennium. She has created a raga by name "Bharat" which is a janya of the raga Hamsavinodhini.

The fact that eminent thavildars like Valayapatti Subramaniam and Palanivel have accompanied her is a testimony to her skills. She has trained not only violinists but also a guitarist and is now training a couple of mandolin players. She never accepts fees from any disciple as she maintains that imparting knowledge of music is "Vidyadhaanam". Whichever technique of playing comes to a disciple is naturally honed and only then the fine-tuning is done - the disciple’s natural style is allowed to grow. She has had the privilege of playing in front of Puttaparthi Sai Baba, Swamy Haridoss Giri, and, of course, the Paramacharya of Kanchi. Kum Kanyakumari once pointed out to Sri Jayendra Saraswathi that the Kanchi Mutt had never instituted awards for women in music and this anomaly was rectified immediately.