Smt. NVS Radha

Smt. Radha is an extremely accomplished and renowned musician and Veena Vidushi. 

Radha was born into a family of musicians – her father Shri NRP Sarathy was a disciple of none other than the renowned flautist TR Mahalingam! 

Having started her musical journey at a tender age of 7, under the tutelage of Saraswathula Lakshmi Kumari, she rapidly came to grips with the complexities and subtle nuances of carnatic music and the challenges of gaining control over the veena. She built up an impressive repertoire of ragas and krithis and by the age of 12 she presented her first concert at the famous Kakinada Sri Rama Samajam. She also won the first prize in the inter-collegiate competitions in Andhra University. Shortly thereafter, she repeated such a stellar performance by grabbing the gold medal in a similar competition in the Venkateshwara University! 

Ever since, she’s presented numerous concerts at various cherished venues including the Tirupathi Brahmotsavams and Annamacharya Utsavams, Narada Gana Sabha, and the Nadotsavam at the Art of Living, Bangalore. 

In addition to her constant involvement in concerts and other engagements, Smt Radha has been a dedicated guru – over an extended period of more than 3 decades, she’s trained numerous students with the utmost dedication and diligence. The school she founded, Omkaarini Sangeetha Pathashala, has provided fundamental as well as advanced training to numerous students over the years! 

She has the distinction of being recognized and rewarded the Outstanding Young Person title by the Rotaract Club way back in 1983! She is also the recipient of a gold medal from the Visakha Music Academy. 

Even amidst her engagements as a performing artiste and the demands of being a guru to numerous disciples, Smt Radha acquired an M.Phil degree in music from the prestigious Sree Padmavathi Music University, Tirupathi. 

Smt. Radha’s proficiency as a veena player is amply testified to by numerous events - by her accompanying the legendary Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna in live concerts as well studio recordings. And by the acclaim she got from luminaries of the dance and music world such as Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali, renowned veena vidushi E. Gayathri

Smt. Sripriya Markandan

Sripriya is a carnatic vocalist from the music capital of India, Chennai. She started her musical journey at the age of eight under the able guidance of Chembai Sri. Late Anandan (nephew/disciple of chembai Vaidhyanatha Bhagavathar)

As she grew and her quest for knowledge increased, she was further nurtured and guided by Srimathi Sridevi Padmanabhan (Disciple of Sir late D.K.Jayaraman), Padma Shri Late. Srimathi. Mani Krishnaswamy. She has specialised in Koteeswaraiyer kritis under the astute eyes of Sri.S.Rajam (Winner of Sangeet Natak Academi Award) . She has accompanied her Guru Smt. Mani Krishnaswamy on many concerts.
She is currently receiving guidance from Srimathi.Sankari Krishnan (disciple of Sri. Late. Lalgudi Krishnan)
Backed by M.Com., PGDCA., M.A(Music), she was a recipient of central govt scholarship in the year 1990. She is also AIR B-high grade artist.

Awards and performances:
Recipient of prizes in almost all the Sabhas in Chennai during Dec season between 1987-1991

Recipient of Rajaji Tambura in 1990 from Tamil Isai Sangam.

Performed in all the Sabhas in Chennai till 1994 and from 2000-2003

Lived in Australia from 1994-2000.Has performed in Sydney and Melbourne music festivals.


Teaching Experience:
Smt Sripriya has totally devoted herself to teaching carnatic music. She is a Guru with a vast experience in teaching. She has taught Carnatic music to all ages in Australia and is currently teaching Carnatic music online for students from India and abroad.

Srivaralaxmi Maya Keyboard Artist

About

                Srivaralaxmi Maya, (07-08-1992) is the daughter of V.Nandhini who is a carnatic vocalist and a B’High grade artist of AIR. Srivaralaxmi is a grand-daughter of “GHANA KALA BHUSHANA” SRI KUMBAKKONAM BROTHERS (S.Sankaran) and a great grand-daughter of Sri Sri Kothavasal Venkatrama Iyer (Varnam composer).

                Initially her guru was “SANGEETHA SEVA NIRATHA” Sri Kumbakonam S.Viswanatha Iyer (grandfather) and presently learning from her mother V. Nandhini. She inherits a great sense of carnatic music both in vocal and keyboard.

Srivaralaxmi is the 13th generation music performer in her family.

Education

1. B Music – Bachelor in Music - University of Madras
2. M Music - Masters in Music – University of Madras (First student to secure a Masters in Music instrumental in Keyboard)
3. M.Sc - Masters in Electronic Media – Anna University

Music Career

    She started learning music under the tutelage of  her grand-father Sri Viswanatha Iyer at a very young age. She was learning vocal under him and her mother also guided her.After her grandfather’s  demise she is presently learning under her mother Smt.Nandhini V who is a B’High graded artist.One fine day she startled one and all as all of a sudden she started playing kritis on keyboard without anyone’s prior support She inherits a great musical knowledge and found to be a successful upcoming carnatic keyboard performer.Later with the blessings of her parents and everyone she started performing at the age of 15. Till date she has performed at various sabhas and many fusion concerts which approximately sums up to 1000+ concerts.

Performances

               She also renders fusion concerts with renowned artists. She has performed more than 800 programs at various sabhas, outside Chennai and other places. Notably, BHARATHIYA VIDHYA BHAVAN-MYLAPORE, SRI KRISHNA GANA SABHA, KARTHIK FINE ARTS, INDIAN FINE ARTS SOCIETY, BOMBAY RASIKA RANJANI SABHA (RR SABHA), RAMANI’S FLUTE ACADEMY, KALPATHY FESTIVAL-KALPATHY, R.A.PURAM BHAKTHA JANA SABHA, SREEPERUMBATHUR LAKMINARAYANAN TEMPLE, TTD DEVASTHANAM, , DEVAKOTTAI-THIYAGARAJA FEST, CHENNAI CULTURAL ACADEMY, CHARUBALA MOHAN TRUST, SOUTH ZONE CULTURAL ACADEMY, CHENNAI FINE ARTS, THIYAGARAJA VIDWAT SAMAJAM-MYLAPORE, ASTHIKA SAMAJAM-VENUS COLONY, AIR-VADHYA VRINDHA, NADHASUDHA-VELACHERRY, NARADHAGANA SABHA, PANCHAMUKA ANJANEYAR, PERAMBUR SANGEETHA  SABHA, R.R.SABHA MYLAPORE, CARNATICA ENSEMBLE and many more.

       

         She has won several prizes in both vocal and keyboard, conducted by renowned organizations. She has directed music for various short films and is also indulged in conducting keyboard and vocal classes for many students with her mother, who is running a music school for the past 35 years in Mylapore. Srivaralaxmi is a music designer and singer for English theatre groups and have performed several shows at Ranghashankara- Bangalore, Soorya festival. Apart from being a musician, she is also involved in many creative promotional activities in the field of social media.

   

                  Srivaralaxmi is now into teaching carnatic on keyboard for many students, in and across India. This 2018 she had her students from US and Australia render concerts during the December music season in Chennai.

Other interest

1. Extempore Music composing for script/poems
2. 60+ Theatre performances in association with a renowned theatre group from India.
3. Composed and directed music for short films and applications
4. Playback singing aspirant
5. Freelance Social media communicator
6. Concept design and journalism aspirant
7. Freelance TV shows Anchor
8. Saraswathy Pooja special interview given by Srivaralaxmi Maya

TV Shows

1. Raj TV - Independence day program
2. Astro TV- Malaysian TV channel
3. Sankara TV series of programs
4. Raj TV - Republic Day
5. Raj TV – Margazi Isai
6. Hosted DD Podhigai shows

Reviews

1. Vadapalani Times
2. Mandhaveli times
3. Big Bazzar concert photo in DECCAN CHRONICLE
4. Krishnagana Sabha - dhinamani
5. The Hindu Tamil
6. The Hindu Metro Plus for accompanying a Katha Kutchery

   

Shri. Rohit Prasad

Rohit Prasad is a very vivacious performer and a devoted teacher. His journey of learning Mridangam began under the tutelage of Guru Shri T.S. Nandakumar. After successfully completing 7 years course and he received Shanmukha Sangeetha Mani certificate from Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha vidyalaya in the year 2002. Later he pursued advanced training in mridangam under the same guru at TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre, Mumbai from 2003 till date. His Mridangam Arangetram was held in 2007 at the Sivaswamy Auditorium (Chembur Fine Arts, Mumbai) where he had accompanied Flute Maestro Padmasri Dr. N. Ramani. He regularly accompanies Maharashtra Abhang Ratna K. Ganesh Kumar for programs in Mumbai as well as in many parts of India.


He has participated in the All India Competition conducted by All India Radio in the year 2008 and was awarded IInd prize for mridangam and currently is a “B HIGH” grade artist in the All India Radio, Mumbai. He has also won the second prize at the Youth Festival conducted by the University of Mumbai.


Awards and Titles

“Best Performer Award” from Shri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha, Chennai 2013.

Shri Ramanathapuram C.S. Murugabhoopathy award for “Merit Worthy Performance” from Sri    Krishna Gana Sabha 2014.

“Best Mridangist Award” in the Junior Slot from The Music Academy, Chennai 2016 and 2018.

Shri Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship Award from Shri 

Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha in 2015 for three years.

Mudhra Kaccheri Competition winner for mridangam conducted by Mudhra for 2018

Diploma in Carnatic Vocal Music (KVC) with ‘A’ Grade under the tutelage of Guru Smt. Radha Nambhoodiri and Guru Smt. Susheela Mani from Shri Shanmukhananda Bharatiya Sangeetha Vidyalaya which is affiliated to University of Mumbai.

Currently taking advance training for vocal from Guru Smt. Radha Namboodiri at Shri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Vidyalaya.

Pursuing Masters in Music from University of Madras.

Performances

He has been regularly performing for the prestigious Gokulashtami series conducted by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai since 2013.

Participated in 100 students thala vadyam concert organized by my Guru at Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha on account of tenth annual day celebrations of TSN’S Percussive Arts Centre in the year 2010.

He has also participated in Shatavadhya sammelan which was lead by Padmasri awardee Sangeeta Kalanidhi Vidushi Kanyakumari in 2016 held at Shri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha.

He has got the opportunity to accompany various senior musicians Shri Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Smt. Suguna Purushothaman, Maharajapuram Shri S Ramachandran, Malladi Brothers (Shri Sreeramprasad and Shri Ravikumar), Mudikondan Shri Ramesh, Iyer Brothers (Shri Ramnath and Shri Gopinath), Palakkad  Shri. T S Anantharama Bhagavathar, Shri. Pithukuli Murugadas,  Shri Vasanth Kumar, Smt. Kalyani Sharma, Shri Mohan Santhanam Dr. T S Satyavati, Smt. Radha Namboodiri, Dr. R Ganesh, Mandolin U Rajesh, Lalgudi Shri GJR Krishnan, Smt. R A Ramamani, Carnatica Brothers (Shri Shashikiran and Ganesh Sudarshan), kalyanapuram Shri Aravamudhan (Harikatha Exponent), Dr. Sriram Parasuram, Vidushis Kalaimamani Dr. Lalitha and Nandini, Madurai Shri T N S Krishna, Palghat Shri Ramprasad and young musicians Athul Kumar, Sandeep Narayan, Bharat Sundar, Savita Sreeram, Dr. Padma Sugavanam, K Gayatri, Vasudha Ravi, Gokul Chandramouli, Suchithra Balasubramanian, Anahita & Apoorva, Vishaal Sapuram, Vani Ramamurthi, N J Nandini, Vignesh Ishwar, Ananya Ashok, Brindha Manickavasagan, Sunil Gargyan, Rasika Shekar to name a few.

He has also been accompanying various upcoming and senior musicians in different music organizations in Mumbai, Chennai, Indore, Bangalore, like Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, Fine arts Society, Chembur, Music Triangle, Bhaktha Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Gana Kala Vidya Nilayam, Bhandup Fine Arts, Mulund Fine Arts, ICCR, Shri Krishna Gana Sabha (Chennai), The Music Academy (Chennai), Shri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha (Chennai), Mylapore Fine Arts (Chennai), Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha (Vani Mahal), Karthik Fine Arts (Chennai), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans (Chennai), Brahma Gana Sabha (Chennai), Narada Gana Sabha (Chennai), Chennai Cultural Academy (Chennai), Rasika Fine Arts (Chennai), Madhuradhwani (Chennai), Prashanthi Nilayam, The South Indian Cultural Association (SICA) Indore, Gayana Samaja (Bangalore) Chowdiah Memorial Hall (Bangalore), Unnati Centre (Bangalore), etc.

He also actively participated in the Thala Vadhya Kaccheris organized by his Guru. He regularly performs during the December Music Festival, Chennai since 2013.

Smt. Kavitha Jayaraman

Coming from a family that always was deeply involved with Carnatic music, it was no surprise that Kavitha was initiated into Vocal learning the art at age 5 and since then have been on a relentless pursuit of this art form over the years. She is  also a professional Veena artist . She started her initial vocal learning under Guru Sridevi Ram under the aegis of Mulund Fine Arts Society, Mumbai and initial Veena tutelage from Smt Jayashree Aravind, Mumbai. She further received advance vocal guidance from Smt Saraswathy Subramanian and Sangeetha KalaAcharya Bombay S Ramachandran. She moved to Singapore in 2005 and was fortunate to come under the tutelage of eminent gurus like Smt Mangalam Shankar (Vocal) and Smt . Meenakshi Somasundaram (Veena).  While in Singapore she completed a Diploma in Vocal and Veena under the aegis of Singapore Indian Fine Arts and was awarded the title ‘Sangeetha Visharad’. Has won several awards at Shanmukhananda Fine Arts Sangeetha Sabha, Music Triangle, Bombay Tamil Sangham, Kala Mandal, Mulund Fine Arts Society, Chinmaya Mission and other institutions for music and fine arts. She has performed extensively in various Sabhas in Mumbai, Chennai and Singapore including prestigious venues like Music Academy - Chennai, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan - Chennai, Mulund Fine Arts - Mumbai, Esplanade Singapore and Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. Has also been part of the music ensemble for various dance productions with Apsara Arts in Singapore. 

She was awarded the Cultural Talent Scholarship from Center for Cultural Resources & Training (Ministry Of Human Resources & Development, Govt. of India) for specialized training in Carnatic Music.

Kavitha was selected as an IndianRaga USA fellow 2018 and  since then has been part of various collaborations with artists from across the country. She promotes and practices the concept of ‘Seva through Vidya’ or ‘Teach to Reach’ – by teaching Vocal/ Veena to raise funds for various social causes. Till date these efforts have managed to raise around 500K INR for various charities across India. Since Jan 2019 Kavitha has embarked on a journey to pursue music full time after working as Finance professional for 14+ years with Hewlett Packard/DXC Technology.

Shri Sachin Patwardhan

Born in a family of musicians,Sachin picked up playing musical instruments with a natural flair. Formal training began at the age of 9 under the guidance of his father Shri Manohar Patwardhan,a renowned Violinist and uncle Shri Vijay Patwardhan, a well known Sitarist.Sachin pursued his studies hand in hand with his training in music.He graduated with a degree in Science and afterwards completed his MBA.
Sachin is a multi-talented artiste who after attaining "Sangeet Visharad" as a Violinist, learnt to play the Guitar to explore the western school of music. Soon after that his keen interest motivated him to study the Sarod - where he carved a niche for himself, in the pursuit to attain mastery in the chosen field.

Sarod

He is fortunate to get the blessings and intensive training under the Guru - Shishya Parampara from the Legendary Sarod Maestro Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Saheb since 1998.
His highly versatile and aesthetic perception of the Sarod has enabled him to touch the most profound depths of his instrument.His purity of style, uniqueness of imagination with his brilliant technique in which he blends the elements of "Gayaki" i.e. Vocal rendering and "Layakari" i.e. Instrumental rhythmic patterns, makes his recitals enchanting.

Spanish Veena

In his zest to achieve a seamless blend of indo-western music,Sachin performs classical compositions on "Spanish Veena" which is his brainchild. The Spanish Veena is actually a modified version of the electric guitar on which a full range of Indian Classical can be played like aalap, jod, jhala along with different kinds of 'gamaks' and 'murkis' which are specific to the Indian classical style of music. This, on the other hand is not possible on the standard tuned electric guitar.
Sachin performs extraordinarily on the Spanish Veena without compromising on his Indian classical techniques. His highly versatile and aesthetic perception has enabled him to touch the most profound depths of his instrument. His purity of style, uniqueness of imagination with his brilliant technique in which he blends the elements of 'Gayaki' i.e. Vocal rendering and 'Layakari' i.e. Instrumental rhythmic patterns, makes his recitals enchanting.

Fusion & Band

Fusion music is an amalgamation of form, instruments, rhythm, tone that takes your senses to new height of musical experience. Sachin with his team of talented artists bring sense of awe to their audience world over ,with their innovative approach to Indian Western Fusion Music.
The sheer scale and ability of these artists to create innovative music helps bring a new paradigm in Indian Western Fusion Music. It is confluence of style that brings the world of music together. The band Electric Ragaz is creating waves in the new ear of fusion music.The breakaway style and sounds are the highlights of this group. Our band will inspire and entice your senses with music from different cultures coming together in rhythm, harmony and complexity paving its own bold new path.

Awards & Recognition

• He is the recipient of "Abhinav Kala Samman" in the year 2006.
• "Artist of The Month" in Dec. 2009 for 93.5 Red FM. 
• Sachin has been selected for the empanelment in the ICCR (Indian Council For Cultural Relations), New Delhi reference artist panel. 

Major Performances in India & Abroad

• Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Calgary (Canada). 
• Royal Albert Hall, London.
• Maharashtra Mandal, London. 
• University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 
• Cultural Exchange - Canada, UAE, Oman. 
• Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi Mem Festival, Chennai. 
• Sarod Ghar Evening, Gwalior. 
• Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi. 
• South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Mysore. 
• Vivekanand University, Bangalore.
• Nehru Centre, Mumbai.
• Xavier's Institute of Management (XIM), Bhubaneshwar. 
• U D Alauddin Khan Sangeet Academy, Bhopal. 
• India International Centre, New Delhi. 
• Virasat Festival, Dehradoon. 
• Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal.