A gifted composer, Jayashree Varadarajan has set to music many compositions including several of Purandara Dasa, released an audiocassette and a book titled, “Purandara Pada Saurabha.” She has also set original music to “Syananduresvara,” a rare and major poetic work by “Maharaja Swathi Thirunal,” and has released an audiocassette titled “Syananduresvara.” Other audio programs by Varadarajan include “Bhakthi Saurabha,” “Excerpts from the live concert-” “Bhajans,” and a recent CD titled, “Shiva Keshava Maha Yajna” in benefit of the Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore, California. She has written two musical plays, Gagana Padma and Subhadrarjuna in Kannada. She has also published four volumes of the books “Lessons in Vocal Music” accompanied by audio programs for the benefit of all students of music in general and Carnatic music in particular.

In 1987, “Nada Yoga - meditation through musical sound” and in 1988, “Raga Rasa - various
emotions expressed through music” pioneered the approach, where Jayashree Varadarajan’s students presented Carnatic music in a choir format. This groundbreaking and dramatic adaptation of Carnatic music into a modern setting grew with every production. Each subsequent production has taken leaps and bounds in innovation while consistently maintaining the purity and authenticity of Carnatic music. These thematic performances have also immensely interested the greater western community in Carnatic music. In 1989, “Music, a factor in world harmony,” portrayed the unifying theme of harmony in diversity using the universal language – music. In 1990 and 1991, the operatic productions of “Syananduresvara” and “Prince of Ayodhya” respectively received critical reviews and requests for repeat productions. In January 1993, “Shiva Priya,” an operatic rendering again featured breakthrough innovation with English subtitles – a major step towards increasing audience rapport and appreciation. More recent productions include “Meera,” “Forgive Me of Adi Sankara,” and “Yuva Pratibha and Bhajana Sandhya,” all of which have broadened the horizons for both performers and listeners in both music and depth of inspirational content.

Jayashree Varadarajan is well known in the Indian American community as a multitalented artist. She has written, directed, and produced many music, dance, and operatic productions all of which have drawn large audiences and garnered high praise from critics. Jayashree Varadarajan also holds senior degrees in Bharatanatyam, veena, and Sanskrit as well as a diploma in Drama and Theater. Her works and projects mark major milestones in the cultural life of the Bay Area. Jayashree Varadarajan also holds a Master of Science degree in Botany from Mysore University and a Master of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. For over two decades, the Bay Area’s population from 5 to 55 who have had the good fortune to learn music from Jayashree Varadarajan, have expressed a remarkably consistent sentiment – nowhere could they have found a better teacher of Carnatic or South Indian classical music. And by living the life of musical accomplishments, discipline, and commitment Jayashree Varadarajan remains their musical muse.