He has the unique distinction of accompanying other leading artists like T.R. Mahalingham, Master Shashank and various leading instrumentalists, and is a regular accompanist for K J Yesudas, Sanjay Subramaniam, N. Ramani, Trichur Ramachandran, and more. He has been awarded innumerable titles and awards during his span of service, including the Kalaimamani award.

Since 1980, he has toured almost all countries in the world as an accompanying artist and has been acclaimed as one of the eminent accompanying artists. He is one of the top ranking violin artists.

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He was known for his skills of handling violin. He established a good rapport with his audience and the music flowing from his violin reflected his moods. When he was twelve years old, he performed with Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Santhanam and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

He concentrated on solo concerts and his fingering techniques on the violin impressed his fans. He worked with thavil vidwan, Valayapatti Subramanian and Nadaswaram vidwans T. N. Rajarathinam Pillai and Thiruvenkadu Subramania Pillai.

He had performed thousands of concerts and believes the therapeutic merits of music. He contributed a lot to the Tamil devotional music. He got his breakthrough in the film industry through the film Vaa Raja Vaa. His other hits are Raja Raja Cholan and Agathiyar.

He appeared in the Tamil film Anniyan and made guest appearances in many other films. He also produced a feature film Thodi Ragam.

He had given many performances in All India Radio. He served as the Secretary of Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram. He conducted Thyagaraja Aradhana in Thyagabrahma Sabha in Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district.

Awards & Titles

He received Padma Shri award from the Government of India and Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu Government. He also received Karnataka Isaignani Award and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

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SRI. R.SUBBARAJU ,who is also a native of Raju’ s hometown was a disciple of the legend late SRI.CHEMBAI VAIDHYANADHA BAGHAVATHAR.It was SRI R.SUBBARAJU who was instrumental in introducing Mandolin to the field of Indian Classical Carnatic Music.

SRI.R.SUBBARAJU,who was a vocalist used to sing and explain the nuances of gamakas which RAJU tried in his own style to adopt the phrases on the Mandolin. For more than two decades Raju has been performing in various sabhas of Chennai and other major cities of India for different festivals.

He is a regular performer at the Chennai’s most esteemed December season Music festival. He is also training many students in this unique instrument, which includes online classess for the students in CANADA,USA,SWITZERLAND.

Raju,has extensively performed around the globe in the countries like SOUTH AFRICA, USA, CANADA, SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA, DUBAI, SRI LANKA, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, and GERMANY . Raju, has also achieved name and fame through his solo/ duo Audio cd’s and cassettes under the banners of AVM, MUDHRA, SANGEETHA, HMV, and GEETHA Cassettes.

RAJU and his wife NAGAMANI, together they form a formidable MANDOLIN DUO. Raju, has won many awards and prizes from various esteemed Organisations.

Awards & Titles

• In 1997 – He was assessed as an ‘A’ Grade artiste by the ALL INDIA RADIO, Chennai.
• In 1998 – NARADA GANA SABHA , Chennai has awarded him The music critic ‘K.S.M AHADEVAN’ endowment for showing excellence in foreign instrument.
• In 1999 – SARASWATHI GANA SABHA, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu , has conferred him the title ‘SRUTHI LAYA SAMRAT’.
• In 2004 – BHARAT KALACHAR, Chennai has conferred the title ‘YUVA KALABHARATHI’ to him.
• In 2010 – U.P.Raju has also released a DVD named ‘LEARN TO PLAY MANDOLIN’ Under the banner ‘super audio company’. This DVD on Mandolin is First Of Its Kind.

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A well-worked change at the beginning was the brisk ragamalika varnam built with Ranjanis – Sri Ranjani, Ranjani, Janaranjani, et al. ‘Sriganapathini’ (Sourashtram), the Sri Raga Pancharatnam and ‘Manavinalakinchara’ (Nalinakanti) were played in close sequence. 

The two ragamalikas – ‘Kurai Ondrum Illai’ and ‘Chinnan Chiru Kiliye’ saw rasika-enjoyment at its highest. Raghuraman (violin) functioned with a fair level of confidence, both in raga vistharam and swara answering. Thanjavur Kumar (mridangam) gave a thani of absorbing substance and his acquaintance with the order of the sangatis was made explicit during his song-accompaniment. 

Managing audio output with a keen ear for proper mixing isn’t difficult — it is merely a balancing act. A great deal has to be done on this score at the hall. Also, while introducing the performers, allusion was made to the genius T.R. Mahalingam, but he was referred to as S. Mahalingam! Just ‘Mali’ would have sufficed.

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He was a child prodigy who started playing Veena at the age of 5. He had a providential beginning, when at that tender age, he corrected his father playing the Veena and the stunned father spontaneously decided to get him started on the Veena and nurture the child’s inherent prodigious talent.

Chitti Babu gave his first performance at the age of 12. He had his earliest basic lessons from Shri. Pandravada Upmakaya and also Shri Eyyuni Appalacharyulu and later was a prime disciple of MahaMahopadhyaya Dr.Emani Sankara Sastry.

In 1948, they moved to Madras (now Chennai) primarily because they got the opportunity for Chitti Babu to act in a Telugu movie “Laila- Majnu” as a child artiste who played the role of little Majnu. He was inspired by the original style of Veena maestro Emani Sankara Sastry and was under his tutelage, learning all the nuances and honing his skills. Chitti Babu died after a massive cardiac arrest on February 9, 1996 at the age of 59 in Chennai.

Awards & Titles

• Sangeet Natak Akademi award for 1990 – awarded by the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi and presented by Shri R. Venkataraman – the then President of India

• Kalaimamani – 1972 – Prestigious Award from Government of Tamil Nadu presented by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Shri Karunanidhi

• Asthana Vidwan – Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams

• State Artiste – Government of Tamil Nadu – 1981-1987, presented by Shri MG Ramachandran, then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

• Telugu Velugu – Government of Andhra Pradesh by the then CM of AP in 1981

• Tantri Vilas – Government of Madhya Pradesh

• Spirit of Excellence Award in 1991-92 presented by the then Vice President of India Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma

• Sangeetha Choodamani – Krishna Gana Sabha – 1990

• Sangeetha Kala Nipuna – Mylapore Fine Arts Club – 1995

• “Vainika Shikhamani” in 1967 presented by the then Maharajah of Mysore

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Malarvannan’s thavil was so musical and soft that none missed the mridangam. It is a wonder how he manages to have the perfect match and harmony between the right and left heads of thavil. Easy on the ear.

A left hander, Malarvannan used the stick sparingly. Though he had finger caps, he was extremely restrained while accompanying.

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At age six, he came under the tutelage of the internationally renowned musician ‘Chitravina’ N Ravikiran, under whose expert guidance Vishaal has rapidly emerged as a capable performing artist. Some of his early landmarks include winning the first prize in the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana at age seven and singing in the album ‘Ranganathaya Namaha’, directed by Ravikiran, at age eight.

At the age of nine, with the blessings of musical legends Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and D K Pattammal, Vishaal proceeded to give his maiden vocal recital at the prestigious Music Academy in Chennai, the heart of the Carnatic music scene, with celebrated accompanists.

Having received much praise for this endeavor, Vishaal continued to perform in Chennai, as well began performing in the U.S. and in Malaysia. His talent has been favorably documented by critics of periodicals like The Hindu, Mylapore Times, and Kalki.In 2003, he participated as one of the vocalists in Ravikiran’s ensemble for the album, ‘Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi’s Saptaratnas’.

By age thirteen, Vishaal had switched to the rare chitravina, a fretless 21-stringed slide lute. Since then, he has performed in many venues, including Boston, Houston, Baltimore, Dallas, San Diego, and the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana in the USA, the Temple of Fine Arts and the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and within India, in Chennai at prestigious sabhas like Kartik Fine Arts, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Naada Inbam, and Carnatica, including during the Chennai music season, as well as for Raga Dhana and the famous Shri Krishna Temple in Udupi.

He has also played chitravina accompaniment for his guru in many concerts, and he has performed for and received the blessings of the world-famous spiritual leader of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Vishaal has been serving as a teacher under Ravikiran’s International Foundation for Carnatic Music since the age of ten, and his student Arjun Adapalli had gone on to give his own maiden concert at age twelve. Vishaal has also developed a system of electronic notation and contributed to some of the Foundation’s publications.

A resident of Austin, Texas, U.S.A., Vishaal has excelled in academics, having achieved a high rank in school and having earned the respected National AP Scholar and National Merit Finalist titles. He is now pursuing dual undergraduate degrees in Sanskrit and Economics at the University of Texas at Austin.

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Kannan brought a new dimension to his music when he use distortion pedals, typically usually used with the guitar on his violin. This new attempt received critical acclaim from the European connoisseurs in his performances with fusion artist, Susheela Raman in 2006.

Kannan is a founder member of the acclaimed HeartBeat ensemble, which has been performing to discerning audiences the world-over since 1999. He has composed music for this ensemble and has been lending his creative edge to the melodic component of the group’s performances. The HeartBeat troupe has been performing to large crowds in Australia, the US and Singapore and is now an extremely sought after and acclaimed group.

An integral member of Maestro Ilayaraja’s orchestra since 1991, Kannan has become a favourite of the maestro and spends a significant amount of time working with the film industry. Besides the Maestro, Kannan has worked with other leading south Indian music directors including Karthick Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Vidyasagar, Sharath, A.R. Rehman and Deva. Kannan’s creative and innovative musical verve has made many numbers major hits.

He has also contributed to several films with his effective and enthralling re-recording, which is significantly more challenging than recording for songs, as it requires a perfect understanding of the psyche of the director and the actor. Noteworthy among the films Kannan has played for are Dum Dum Dum, Kandanaal Mudalai, Ivan, Parthiban Kanavu and Shivaji.

Kannan has also composed music for several classical and devotional albums including Nammazhwar Paasurams, Nandanaar Charitram etc. He has also composed music for TV serials. Another significant contribution made by Kannan is the introduction of the Silent Violin to Indian music in 2001.

Relatively unheard of in the field of Carnatic music the silent violin is unique in its design and built-in reverb control. This elegant instrument has now gained a pride of place in Carnatic music and is now a favorite amongst the lovers of music. Kannan hopes that this contribution of his will benefit the field of classical music for posterity.

A quest for perfection, a thirst for knowledge, an urge to explore new avenues, coupled with a mastery over music, the blessings of the Almighty and endearing humility and warmth have seen Kannan grow into one of the prima donnas in the field of music. A widely traveled and highly honored artist, he enjoys the simple pleasures of life, with childlike innocence and unadulterated ebullience.

Has been playing for Maestro Ilayaraja since 1991. Began a successful innings on foreign shores with a performance in France in 1996. Has been rendering successful Fusion concerts since 1999. Introduced the Silent Violin into carnatic music in 2001. Performed at the Alhambara Palace in Spain in 2004. Collaborated with African and Iranian musicians for performance across Europe in 2004.

Performed at the Morocco International Music Festival with Le Rhythm De La Parole from 2002 to 2006. Performed at the International Folk Music festival in Norway from 2002 and 2006. Performed at Puttaparthi in the Divine presence of Bhagawan Shri Sathya Sai Baba in August 2006, using the Silent Violin in a concert featuring the HeartBeat Ensemble.

Awards & Titles

• “VANI KALA NIPUNA” by SRI THYAGA BRAHMA GANA SABHA
• “NADA RATHNA” by NADA SUDHA
• OBUL REDDY ENDOWMENT AWARD – 1 Lakh Cash Award
• “SHANMUGA SIRONMANI” by SRI SHANMUKHANANDA SANGEETHA SABHA, MUMBAI
• In the year 1986, Kannan received a talent scholarship from the Government of India, thus enabling him to come under the mentorship of Kum. Kanyakumari.
• Received the Yuva Kala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar in 1988
• Received grading from All India Radio, without an audition
• Received the “Best Violinist Award” from the Madras Music Academy for eight consecutive years; from 1991 to 1999 and subsequently in 2004 and 2006

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Lalitha today has the distinction of being the only Gotu Vadyam player in Andhra Pradesh, and the only lady Gotu Vadyam Vidhwan of India. She is also proficient with the mandolin, and is an A-grade veena and B-grade Gotu Vadyam artiste of the All-India Radio.

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