Maatru Devo Bhava,
Pitru Devo Bhava

24th August 2024
Saturday

Haasini Battiprolu

Haasini Battiprolu is 15 years old from San Diego, and is a rising sophomore at La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). She began her musical journey at the age of 4, getting inspiration from her grandmother- Smt. Rajeshwari Chakkilam. She started her formal learning of Carnatic music from Smt. Vid. Sudha Dusi garu and is currently under the tutelage of Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam mama and Sri Vid. H.N. Bhaskar sir. Haasini is also under the training and mentorship of Sri Parthasarathy Nemani garu- learning semi-classical and light music. Additionally, for the past 6 years, Haasini has been learning Bharatanatyam from Smt. Neha Patel ji. Haasini is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Madrigals Honors Choir program at her school. She is the recipient of the prestigious Keith Heldman Music Award from LJCDS. She is fortunate to have the guidance of Ms. Caroline Becker in Western and World Music. Haasini has participated in and won several awards at esteemed platforms such as the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, Silicon Andhra Music Festivals, various competitions hosted by North American Telugu Association and the Bay Area Telugu Association. She also has a passion for composing music. Haasini has been an ambassador for reciting and spreading awareness of Bammera Pothana’s Bhagavatam Padyams in Telugu- taught by Sri Parthasarathy Nemani garu and encouraged by Sri Mallik Putcha garu through the organization iBAM. She holds a distinction certificate in Carnatic music from SAMPADA, Silicon Andhra University. Haasini is also very blessed to have gotten opportunities to sing and dance in the Indian Fine Arts Academy San Diego Annual and Youth festivals. Through her music, Haasini aims to promote healing, and her non-profit organization is dedicated to helping and advancing mental health awareness.

Aacharya Devo Bhava

Vidwan Dr. CM Venkatachalam

Vidwan Dr. Cherayathumadom Mahalingam Venkatachalam was introduced to music at a very early age by his parents. He studied under Late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and under Kollam Harihara Bhagavatar in Chennai, India. He also learns with his aunt Smt Bala Narasimhan of Ottawa. He considers the Late Sangitha Kalanidhi T. Viswanathan to be his manasika guru from whom he derives inspiration for teaching music. Several music students are trained and guided at Doraiswamy Home of Music founded by him in 1997 in San Diego and later also in Austin.
Venkatachalam has been active in organizing concerts and also dealing with audio/video arrangements for concerts. He is one of the founding trustees of Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego, CA. He has received the following recognitions: “Kala Seva Mani” Cleveland Aradhana Committee 1999; “Sangeetha Seva Rathna” from Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego 2012; “Dr Subramanian Ramamurthy Service Award” from VVS Foundation 2023.

He has a Ph D in molecular biophysics. He was a faculty in University of Michigan and University of Alabama in Birmingham. He worked as senior scientist in a software company for 23 years to develop computer algorthms for designing drugs.

Vidushi Smt. Sudha Dusi

Guru Smt. Sudha Dusi garu is from a musically rich town of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. She had her formal training under revered gurus Sri. B.A Narayana garu, Sri. P.V. Seshaiah Sastry garu, and Sri. Dwaram Durga Prasad garu. Smt. Sudha has a Diploma in Music from prestigious Maharaja College of Music, Vizianagaram and a Degree in Master’s in Business Administration. Smt. Sudha has been an active musician, transitioning from singing jingles to becoming a professional All-India Radio artist. In 2008, she founded Raaga Sudha School of Music in the Bay Area, California, and has been training numerous students. Smt. Sudha is one of the renowned music teachers in the Bay Area training several aspiring students and musicians. Haasini is very fortunate to have been training with her.

Vidwan H. N. Bhaskar (Violin)

H. N. Bhaskar is the son and disciple of Vidwan Sri H. K. Narasimha Murthy and Vidushi Smt. H. N. Rajalakshmi of Mysore. Widely noted for his emotive and adroit playing, he has become one of the top violinists of his generation. After many years of advanced training under his father, he left Mysore to study with Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Gopalakrishnan. He has won top prizes several times at the Madras Music Academy, Parur Sundaram Iyer Prize for best violin accompaniment and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Academy. H.N. Bhaskar has, throughout his career, enriched music concerts with his violin accompaniment. His playing technique is marked by great dexterity and unfailing support born out of deep understanding of the main musician. He is a veritable bridge between the past and present generations of musicians and music lovers which has made him a much sought after violinists. He has accompanied many leading musicians in today’s field including Aruna Sairam, Bombay Jayashri and T.M. Krishna. He has accompanied some of them at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House.

Vidwan Sumesh Narayanan (Mridangam)

Sumesh Narayanan’s prominence in the realm of Carnatic percussion is nothing short of extraordinary, distinguishing him as one of the most exceptional and highly sought-after artists of the present generation. For over two decades, Sumesh has been under the tutelage of the eminent Mridangam Maestro, “Sangita Kalanidhi” Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam. This extended period of mentorship has not only solidified his technical prowess but also immersed him deeply in the time-honored traditions of the mridangam within the Carnatic style. Sumesh is a rare combination of a musician who aspires to master the rich traditions of the mridangam oeuvre in the Carnatic style while retaining an open and larger world view which allows him to be part of many innovative and cross disciplinary ventures to which he is a vital contributor and much admired for his ideas and energetic playing. Sumesh’s dynamic playing style electrifies audiences, whether he is delivering a classical Carnatic performance or participating in experimental, fusion, or contemporary musical explorations. Sumesh’s artistry ensures that the mridangam, a timeless instrument in the world of Carnatic music, not only endures but also evolves to remain relevant in today’s ever-changing musical landscape. Sumesh has collaborated with many artists including Bombay Jayashri Ramnath, Pt. Udhay Bhawalkar, Shujaat Khan and Aruna Sairam. He is the recipient of many awards and fellowships including outstanding concert prize in the senior category from the Music Academy of Madras, and Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship award instituted by Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai.

Vidwan Dr. Karthick Subramaniam (Ghatam)

Dr. ‘Ghatam’ Karthick Subramaniam, a Ghatam artiste, is a shining star, and has performed with almost all top ranked Classical artists, all over the world. Karthick is a proud torch-bearer of the legacy of his Gurus – Ghatam Maestros Sri.T.H. Vikku Vinayakram and Sri. T.H. Subash Chandran. Karthick has extensively performed with Indian film Industry and collaborated with several prominent composers such as Illayaraja, A.R. Rahman. Karthick has a PhD in Sanskrit under the guidance of Dr. S. Ramaratnam, and a Masters in Music. Karthick leads the HEARTBEAT Ensemble and is a prolific composer of many Tillanas, Kritis, Varnams and Fusion Pieces. Karthick is known for intelligent innovations and creative ventures, that has earned him a very special endearing status in the hearts, minds and thoughts of many musical enthusiasts, admirers and scholars all over the World. His creative originality, distinct stage-presence, vibrant virtuosity, nimble fingers and alert mind have all made him a most sensational performer, a much sought after artiste, an acknowledged virtuoso musician, composer and Guru. Dr. Karthick is a recipient of numerous Titles and Awards including the prestigious ‘Kalaimamani’ from the Government of Tamilnadu & the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Puraskar from Sangeet Natak Academy.

Atithi Devo Bhava

Chief Guest (Arangetram)

Kalaimamani, President Awardee, Sangitha Kalanidhi, Sangitha Vidyanidhi

Vidwan Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam

Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam is a child prodigy born in a family of traditional musicians of Thiruvaarur, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu. He began initial vocal training under his mother Sangeetha Vidushi Smt. T. R. Anandavalli and eventually started learning the mridangam under tutelage of his maternal uncle Mridangam Maestro Thiruvaarur Sri Krishnamurthy. He has been performing for the past 5 decades and has accompanied 4 generations of musicians.
As a young mridangist, he won several prizes in sabhas in Chennai, attained the coveted ‘A Top’ grade from the All India Radio, and Sitar Maestro Pt. Ravishankar invited him over to join his ensemble for an international tour. He also had the rare privilege of playing at the opening ceremony of the Olympic games held in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. Though belonging to the Tanjore style of playing, he developed his own individual style, that enhanced every concert he played. Dr. Bakthavathsalam helped in organizing Laya Madhura Mridanga Yagna, consisting of 108 mridangam artists from all over India, at the Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji’s Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore in 2010. Based on a new raga Sachchidananda dedicated to Swamiji, it explored the concept of ‘four’ in melody and rhythm. This extravagant effort was included in the prestigious “Limca Book of Records”. Sri Bakthavathsalam has also led similar concerts in India such as the 76-Mridangam Ensemble in Kanchipuram.

He had composed and trained his students in Toronto, Canada to play a Laya Vinyasam in ‘Shatpitaputrikam’ Thalam, a thalam consisting of 50 aksharams from the 108 thalam scheme commemorating the 50th year of Bharathi Kala Mandram in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Bakthavathsalam is the founder-director of the Laya Madhuraa School of music in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Toronto, to train aspiring and eminent mridangists. He also has two solo audio albums, “Laya Madhuraa” and “Thala Bhakthi”, and has provided accompaniment in numerous cassettes and CDs of top-ranking artists.

He has received many notable awards including Sangita Kalanidhi from The Music Academy Madras, honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University Hawaii, Arsha Kala Bushanam from His Holiness Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Madhura Kala Praveena from Sangeetha Samajam Madurai, Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar from the President of India, Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu State Government, Sangeetha Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Vani Kala Sudhakara from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Sangeetha Kala Sagaram from the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival and Sangeetha Vidyanidhi from the Indian Fine Arts Academy San Diego (IFAASD).

Guest Of Honor (Arangetram)

Sangitha Vidyanidhi

Vidwan R. K. Shriramkumar

R. K. Shriramkumar belongs to a family of eminent Carnatic musicians who hail from Rudrapatna. Having had his initial lessons in violin playing from Vidushi Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy, Shriramkumar was trained in vocal music and violin by his grandfather Shri R. K. Venkatarama Shastry. He later received guidance in violin from Vidvan Shri V. V. Subrahmanyam and in vocal music from Vidvan Shri D. K. Jayaraman. His skills were further honed through the association and learning he gained by accompanying the doyens of Carnatic music like Vidvan Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Vidushi Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi, Vidushi Smt. D. K. Pattammal, Vidvan Shri D. K. Jayaraman, Vidvan Shri Palghat K. V. Narayanaswamy, Vidushi Smt. T. Brinda and Vidushi Smt. T. Mukta, and others. Shriramkumar has traveled far and wide on many concert tours, participating in prestigious festivals and venues. These included performances during the many concert tours to North America.

Besides being an accompanist par excellence who elevates the vocalist’s performance, Shriramkumar is also an accomplished soloist. Alongside his busy performing schedule, Shriramkumar makes time to share his wisdom and experience through lecture demonstrations and talks. He has an intuitive grasp of musical, linguistic (particularly Sanskrit) and religious texts and hence a holistic approach to music deriving from all these streams.

His lecdems include a panoply of insights encompassing melodic, rhythmic and linguistic highlights of compositions. He is sought after for his lucid and engaging presentations on Carnatic music that span a wide range of topics including “An insight into the sahitya and sangita of Shri Muttusvami Dikshitar’s compositions”, the Guruguha Vibhakti Krtis, Kamalamba Navavarana Krtis, the greatness of the Musical Trinity, the Caturdasha Ragamalika, “Translating vocal music into violin playing” and many more.

R. K. Shriramkumar is also one of the founders of YACM (Youth Association for Classical Music), a premier forum for the promotion of classical music amongst the youth. He directed the music for a special television production on the Sringeri Sharada Pitham and has set to music many compositions of the Jagadgurus of Shri Sharada Pitham. He has composed music for many dance productions, notable among them being the music to the verses of the Valmiki Ramayana for the production ‘Sita Vishlesha Trayam’ by Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali, compositions for ‘Sayujya’, a collaborative production by Smt. Priyadarsini Govind & Shri T. M. Krishna, to name a few. A recipient of many awards in violin and vocal competitions including the All-India Radio Prize, the ‘Yuva Kala Bharati’ award, the ‘Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award’ and the ‘Sangita Vidyanidhi’ by IFAASD, to name a few. Shriramkumar has provided violin accompaniment in several commercial recordings including a very unique recording entitled ‘Divine Unison’ featuring the great veterans Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi.

Sohini Battiprolu (Tambura)

Sohini Battiprolu, a 10-year-old from San Diego, is an upcoming fifth-grade student at La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). She is currently studying Carnatic music under the guidance of Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam mama and learning Carnatic violin from Sri Vid. H. N. Bhaskar sir. Additionally, Sohini is pursuing Western violin through her school. She possesses a profound passion for drawing and art, which she is hoping to leverage to support various community services. Her other interests include organic gardening, swimming, playing tennis and golf.

Visit Site

Haasini Battiprolu

Haasini Battiprolu is 15 years old from San Diego, and is a rising sophomore at La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). She began her musical journey at the age of 4, getting inspiration from her grandmother- Smt. Rajeshwari Chakkilam. She started her formal learning of Carnatic music from Smt. Vid. Sudha Dusi garu and is currently under the tutelage of Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam mama and Sri Vid. H.N. Bhaskar sir. Haasini is also under the training and mentorship of Sri Parthasarathy Nemani garu- learning semi-classical and light music. Additionally, for the past 6 years, Haasini has been learning Bharatanatyam from Smt. Neha Patel ji. Haasini is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Madrigals Honors Choir program at her school. She is the recipient of the prestigious Keith Heldman Music Award from LJCDS. She is fortunate to have the guidance of Ms. Caroline Becker in Western and World Music. Haasini has participated in and won several awards at esteemed platforms such as the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, Silicon Andhra Music Festivals, various competitions hosted by North American Telugu Association and the Bay Area Telugu Association. She also has a passion for composing music. Haasini has been an ambassador for reciting and spreading awareness of Bammera Pothana’s Bhagavatam Padyams in Telugu- taught by Sri Parthasarathy Nemani garu and encouraged by Sri Mallik Putcha garu through the organization iBAM. She holds a distinction certificate in Carnatic music from SAMPADA, Silicon Andhra University. Haasini is also very blessed to have gotten opportunities to sing and dance in the Indian Fine Arts Academy San Diego Annual and Youth festivals. Through her music, Haasini aims to promote healing, and her non-profit organization is dedicated to helping and advancing mental health awareness.

Aacharya Devo Bhava

Vidwan Dr. CM Venkatachalam

Dr. Cherayathumadom Mahalingam Venkatachalam was introduced to music at a very early age by his parents. He studied under Late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and under Kollam Harihara Bhagavatar in Chennai, India. He also learns with his aunt Smt Bala Narasimhan of Ottawa. He considers the Late Sangitha Kalanidhi T. Viswanathan to be his mAnasika guru from whom he derives inspiration for teaching music. Several music students are trained and guided at Doraiswamy Home of Music founded by him in 1997 in San Diego and later also in Austin.

Venkatachalam has been active in organizing concerts and also dealing with audio/video arrangements for concerts. He is one of the founding trustees of Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego, CA. He has received the following recognitions: “Kala Seva Mani” Cleveland Aradhana Committee 1999; “Sangeetha Seva Rathna” from Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego 2012;
“Dr Subramanian Ramamurthy Service Award” from VVS Foundation 2023.

He has a Ph D in molecular biophysics. He was a faculty in University of Michigan and University of Alabama in Birmingham. He worked as senior scientist in a software company for 23 years to develop computer algorthms for designing drugs.

Vidushi Smt. Sudha Dusi

Guru Smt. Sudha Dusi garu is from a musically rich town of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. She had her formal training under revered gurus Sri. B.A Narayana garu, Sri. P.V. Seshaiah Sastry garu, and Sri. Dwaram Durga Prasad garu. Smt. Sudha has a Diploma in Music from prestigious Maharaja College of Music, Vizianagaram and a Degree in Master’s in Business Administration. Smt. Sudha has been an active musician, transitioning from singing jingles to becoming a professional All-India Radio artist. In 2008, she founded Raaga Sudha School of Music in the Bay Area, California, and has been training numerous students. Smt. Sudha is one of the renowned music teachers in the Bay Area training several aspiring students and musicians. Haasini is very fortunate to have been training with her.

Vidwan H. N. Bhaskar (Violin)

H. N. Bhaskar is the son and disciple of Vidwan Sri H. K. Narasimha Murthy and Vidushi Smt. H. N. Rajalakshmi of Mysore. Widely noted for his emotive and adroit playing, he has become one of the top violinists of his generation. After many years of advanced training under his father, he left Mysore to study with Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Gopalakrishnan. He has won top prizes several times at the Madras Music Academy, Parur Sundaram Iyer Prize for best violin accompaniment and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Academy. H.N. Bhaskar has, throughout his career, enriched music concerts with his violin accompaniment. His playing technique is marked by great dexterity and unfailing support born out of deep understanding of the main musician. He is a veritable bridge between the past and present generations of musicians and music lovers which has made him a much sought after violinists. He has accompanied many leading musicians in today’s field including Aruna Sairam, Bombay Jayashri and T.M. Krishna. He has accompanied some of them at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House.

Vidwan Sumesh Narayanan (Mridangam)

Sumesh Narayanan’s prominence in the realm of Carnatic percussion is nothing short of extraordinary, distinguishing him as one of the most exceptional and highly sought-after artists of the present generation. For over two decades, Sumesh has been under the tutelage of the eminent Mridangam Maestro, “Sangita Kalanidhi” Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam. This extended period of mentorship has not only solidified his technical prowess but also immersed him deeply in the time-honored traditions of the mridangam within the Carnatic style. Sumesh is a rare combination of a musician who aspires to master the rich traditions of the mridangam oeuvre in the Carnatic style while retaining an open and larger world view which allows him to be part of many innovative and cross disciplinary ventures to which he is a vital contributor and much admired for his ideas and energetic playing. Sumesh’s dynamic playing style electrifies audiences, whether he is delivering a classical Carnatic performance or participating in experimental, fusion, or contemporary musical explorations. Sumesh’s artistry ensures that the mridangam, a timeless instrument in the world of Carnatic music, not only endures but also evolves to remain relevant in today’s ever-changing musical landscape. Sumesh has collaborated with many artists including Bombay Jayashri Ramnath, Pt. Udhay Bhawalkar, Shujaat Khan and Aruna Sairam. He is the recipient of many awards and fellowships including outstanding concert prize in the senior category from the Music Academy of Madras, and Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship award instituted by Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai.

Vidwan Dr. Karthick Subramaniam (Ghatam)

Dr. ‘Ghatam’ Karthick Subramaniam, a Ghatam artiste, is a shining star, and has performed with almost all top ranked Classical artists, all over the world. Karthick is a proud torch-bearer of the legacy of his Gurus – Ghatam Maestros Sri.T.H. Vikku Vinayakram and Sri. T.H. Subash Chandran. Karthick has extensively performed with Indian film Industry and collaborated with several prominent composers such as Illayaraja, A.R. Rahman. Karthick has a PhD in Sanskrit under the guidance of Dr. S. Ramaratnam, and a Masters in Music. Karthick leads the HEARTBEAT Ensemble and is a prolific composer of many Tillanas, Kritis, Varnams and Fusion Pieces. Karthick is known for intelligent innovations and creative ventures, that has earned him a very special endearing status in the hearts, minds and thoughts of many musical enthusiasts, admirers and scholars all over the World. His creative originality, distinct stage-presence, vibrant virtuosity, nimble fingers and alert mind have all made him a most sensational performer, a much sought after artiste, an acknowledged virtuoso musician, composer and Guru. Dr. Karthick is a recipient of numerous Titles and Awards including the prestigious ‘Kalaimamani’ from the Government of Tamilnadu & the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Puraskar from Sangeet Natak Academy.

Athidhi Devo Bhava

Chief Guest (Arangetram)

Kalaimamani, President Awardee, Sangitha Kalanidhi, Sangitha Vidyanidhi

Vidwan Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam

Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam is a child prodigy born in a family of traditional musicians of Thiruvaarur, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu. He began initial vocal training under his mother Sangeetha Vidushi Smt. T. R. Anandavalli and eventually started learning the mridangam under tutelage of his maternal uncle Mridangam Maestro Thiruvaarur Sri Krishnamurthy. He has been performing for the past 5 decades and has accompanied 4 generations of musicians.

As a young mridangist, he won several prizes in sabhas in Chennai, attained the coveted ‘A Top’ grade from the All India Radio, and Sitar Maestro Pt. Ravishankar invited him over to join his ensemble for an international tour. He also had the rare privilege of playing at the opening ceremony of the Olympic games held in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. Though belonging to the Tanjore style of playing, he developed his own individual style, that enhanced every concert he played. Dr. Bakthavathsalam helped in organizing Laya Madhura Mridanga Yagna, consisting of 108 mridangam artists from all over India, at the Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji’s Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore in 2010. Based on a new raga Sachchidananda dedicated to Swamiji, it explored the concept of ‘four’ in melody and rhythm. This extravagant effort was included in the prestigious “Limca Book of Records”. Sri Bakthavathsalam has also led similar concerts in India such as the 76-Mridangam Ensemble in Kanchipuram. He had composed and trained his students in Toronto, Canada to play a Laya Vinyasam in ‘Shatpitaputrikam’ Thalam, a thalam consisting of 50 aksharams from the 108 thalam scheme commemorating the 50th year of Bharathi Kala Mandram in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Bakthavathsalam is the founder-director of the Laya Madhuraa School of music in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Toronto, to train aspiring and eminent mridangists. He also has two solo audio albums, “Laya Madhuraa” and “Thala Bhakthi”, and has provided accompaniment in numerous cassettes and CDs of top-ranking artists.

He has received many notable awards including Sangita Kalanidhi from The Music Academy Madras, honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University Hawaii, Arsha Kala Bushanam from His Holiness Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Madhura Kala Praveena from Sangeetha Samajam Madurai, Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar from the President of India, Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu State Government, Sangeetha Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Vani Kala Sudhakara from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Sangeetha Kala Sagaram from the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival and Sangeetha Vidyanidhi from the Indian Fine Arts Academy San Diego (IFAASD).

Guest Of Honor (Arangetram)

Sangitha Vidyanidhi

Vidwan Sri. R K Shriramkumar

R. K. Shriramkumar belongs to a family of eminent Carnatic musicians who hail from Rudrapatna. Having had his initial lessons in violin playing from Vidushi Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy, Shriramkumar was trained in vocal music and violin by his grandfather Shri R. K. Venkatarama Shastry. He later received guidance in violin from Vidvan Shri V. V. Subrahmanyam and in vocal music from Vidvan Shri D. K. Jayaraman. His skills were further honed through the association and learning he gained by accompanying the doyens of Carnatic music like Vidvan Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Vidushi Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi, Vidushi Smt. D. K. Pattammal, Vidvan Shri D. K. Jayaraman, Vidvan Shri Palghat K. V. Narayanaswamy, Vidushi Smt. T. Brinda and Vidushi Smt. T. Mukta, and others. Shriramkumar has traveled far and wide on many concert tours, participating in prestigious festivals and venues. These included performances during the many concert tours to North America.

Besides being an accompanist par excellence who elevates the vocalist’s performance, Shriramkumar is also an accomplished soloist. Alongside his busy performing schedule, Shriramkumar makes time to share his wisdom and experience through lecture demonstrations and talks. He has an intuitive grasp of musical, linguistic (particularly Sanskrit) and religious texts and hence a holistic approach to music deriving from all these streams. His lecdems include a panoply of insights encompassing melodic, rhythmic and linguistic highlights of compositions. He is sought after for his lucid and engaging presentations on Carnatic music that span a wide range of topics including “An insight into the sahitya and sangita of Shri Muttusvami Dikshitar’s compositions”, the Guruguha Vibhakti Krtis, Kamalamba Navavarana Krtis, the greatness of the Musical Trinity, the Caturdasha Ragamalika, “Translating vocal music into violin playing” and many more.
R. K. Shriramkumar is also one of the founders of YACM (Youth Association for Classical Music), a premier forum for the promotion of classical music amongst the youth. He directed the music for a special television production on the Sringeri Sharada Pitham and has set to music many compositions of the Jagadgurus of Shri Sharada Pitham. He has composed music for many dance productions, notable among them being the music to the verses of the Valmiki Ramayana for the production ‘Sita Vishlesha Trayam’ by Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali, compositions for ‘Sayujya’, a collaborative production by Smt. Priyadarsini Govind & Shri T. M. Krishna, to name a few. A recipient of many awards in violin and vocal competitions including the All-India Radio Prize, the ‘Yuva Kala Bharati’ award, the ‘Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award’ and the ‘Sangita Vidyanidhi’ by IFAASD, to name a few. Shriramkumar has provided violin accompaniment in several commercial recordings including a very unique recording entitled ‘Divine Unison’ featuring the great veterans Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi.

Sohini Battiprolu (Tambura)

Sohini Battiprolu, a 10-year-old from San Diego, is an upcoming fifth-grade student at La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). She is currently studying Carnatic music under the guidance of Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam mama and learning Carnatic violin from Sri Vid. H. N. Bhaskar sir. Additionally, Sohini is pursuing Western violin through her school. She possesses a profound passion for drawing and art, which she is hoping to leverage to support various community services. Her other interests include organic gardening, swimming, playing tennis and golf.
Visit Site

Haasini Battiprolu

Haasini Battiprolu is 15 years old from San Diego, and is a rising sophomore at La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). She began her musical journey at the age of 4, getting inspiration from her grandmother- Smt. Rajeshwari Chakkilam. She started her formal learning of Carnatic music from Smt. Vid. Sudha Dusi garu and is currently under the tutelage of Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam mama and Sri Vid. H.N. Bhaskar sir. Haasini is also under the training and mentorship of Sri Parthasarathy Nemani garu- learning semi-classical and light music. Additionally, for the past 6 years, Haasini has been learning Bharatanatyam from Smt. Neha Patel ji. Haasini is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Madrigals Honors Choir program at her school. She is the recipient of the prestigious Keith Heldman Music Award from LJCDS. She is fortunate to have the guidance of Ms. Caroline Becker in Western and World Music. Haasini has participated in and won several awards at esteemed platforms such as the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, Silicon Andhra Music Festivals, various competitions hosted by North American Telugu Association and the Bay Area Telugu Association. She also has a passion for composing music. Haasini has been an ambassador for reciting and spreading awareness of Bammera Pothana’s Bhagavatam Padyams in Telugu- taught by Sri Parthasarathy Nemani garu and encouraged by Sri Mallik Putcha garu through the organization iBAM. She holds a distinction certificate in Carnatic music from SAMPADA, Silicon Andhra University. Haasini is also very blessed to have gotten opportunities to sing and dance in the Indian Fine Arts Academy San Diego Annual and Youth festivals. Through her music, Haasini aims to promote healing, and her non-profit organization is dedicated to helping and advancing mental health awareness.

Aacharya Devo Bhava

Vidwan Dr. CM Venkatachalam

Dr. Cherayathumadom Mahalingam Venkatachalam was introduced to music at a very early age by his parents. He studied under Late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and under Kollam Harihara Bhagavatar in Chennai, India. He also learns with his aunt Smt Bala Narasimhan of Ottawa. He considers the Late Sangitha Kalanidhi T. Viswanathan to be his mAnasika guru from whom he derives inspiration for teaching music. Several music students are trained and guided at Doraiswamy Home of Music founded by him in 1997 in San Diego and later also in Austin.

Venkatachalam has been active in organizing concerts and also dealing with audio/video arrangements for concerts. He is one of the founding trustees of Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego, CA. He has received the following recognitions: “Kala Seva Mani” Cleveland Aradhana Committee 1999; “Sangeetha Seva Rathna” from Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego 2012; “Dr Subramanian Ramamurthy Service Award” from VVS Foundation 2023.

He has a Ph D in molecular biophysics. He was a faculty in University of Michigan and University of Alabama in Birmingham. He worked as senior scientist in a software company for 23 years to develop computer algorthms for designing drugs.

Vidushi Smt. Sudha Dusi

Guru Smt. Sudha Dusi garu is from a musically rich town of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. She had her formal training under revered gurus Sri. B.A Narayana garu, Sri. P.V. Seshaiah Sastry garu, and Sri. Dwaram Durga Prasad garu. Smt. Sudha has a Diploma in Music from prestigious Maharaja College of Music, Vizianagaram and a Degree in Master’s in Business Administration. Smt. Sudha has been an active musician, transitioning from singing jingles to becoming a professional All-India Radio artist. In 2008, she founded Raaga Sudha School of Music in the Bay Area, California, and has been training numerous students. Smt. Sudha is one of the renowned music teachers in the Bay Area training several aspiring students and musicians. Haasini is very fortunate to have been training with her.

Vidwan H. N. Bhaskar (Violin)

H. N. Bhaskar is the son and disciple of Vidwan Sri H. K. Narasimha Murthy and Vidushi Smt. H. N. Rajalakshmi of Mysore. Widely noted for his emotive and adroit playing, he has become one of the top violinists of his generation. After many years of advanced training under his father, he left Mysore to study with Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Gopalakrishnan. He has won top prizes several times at the Madras Music Academy, Parur Sundaram Iyer Prize for best violin accompaniment and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Academy. H.N. Bhaskar has, throughout his career, enriched music concerts with his violin accompaniment. His playing technique is marked by great dexterity and unfailing support born out of deep understanding of the main musician. He is a veritable bridge between the past and present generations of musicians and music lovers which has made him a much sought after violinists. He has accompanied many leading musicians in today’s field including Aruna Sairam, Bombay Jayashri and T.M. Krishna. He has accompanied some of them at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House.

Vidwan Sumesh Narayanan (Mridangam)

Sumesh Narayanan’s prominence in the realm of Carnatic percussion is nothing short of extraordinary, distinguishing him as one of the most exceptional and highly sought-after artists of the present generation. For over two decades, Sumesh has been under the tutelage of the eminent Mridangam Maestro, “Sangita Kalanidhi” Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam. This extended period of mentorship has not only solidified his technical prowess but also immersed him deeply in the time-honored traditions of the mridangam within the Carnatic style. Sumesh is a rare combination of a musician who aspires to master the rich traditions of the mridangam oeuvre in the Carnatic style while retaining an open and larger world view which allows him to be part of many innovative and cross disciplinary ventures to which he is a vital contributor and much admired for his ideas and energetic playing. Sumesh’s dynamic playing style electrifies audiences, whether he is delivering a classical Carnatic performance or participating in experimental, fusion, or contemporary musical explorations. Sumesh’s artistry ensures that the mridangam, a timeless instrument in the world of Carnatic music, not only endures but also evolves to remain relevant in today’s ever-changing musical landscape. Sumesh has collaborated with many artists including Bombay Jayashri Ramnath, Pt. Udhay Bhawalkar, Shujaat Khan and Aruna Sairam. He is the recipient of many awards and fellowships including outstanding concert prize in the senior category from the Music Academy of Madras, and Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship award instituted by Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai.

Vidwan Dr. Karthick Subramaniam (Ghatam)

Dr. ‘Ghatam’ Karthick Subramaniam, a Ghatam artiste, is a shining star, and has performed with almost all top ranked Classical artists, all over the world. Karthick is a proud torch-bearer of the legacy of his Gurus – Ghatam Maestros Sri.T.H. Vikku Vinayakram and Sri. T.H. Subash Chandran. Karthick has extensively performed with Indian film Industry and collaborated with several prominent composers such as Illayaraja, A.R. Rahman. Karthick has a PhD in Sanskrit under the guidance of Dr. S. Ramaratnam, and a Masters in Music. Karthick leads the HEARTBEAT Ensemble and is a prolific composer of many Tillanas, Kritis, Varnams and Fusion Pieces. Karthick is known for intelligent innovations and creative ventures, that has earned him a very special endearing status in the hearts, minds and thoughts of many musical enthusiasts, admirers and scholars all over the World. His creative originality, distinct stage-presence, vibrant virtuosity, nimble fingers and alert mind have all made him a most sensational performer, a much sought after artiste, an acknowledged virtuoso musician, composer and Guru. Dr. Karthick is a recipient of numerous Titles and Awards including the prestigious ‘Kalaimamani’ from the Government of Tamilnadu & the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Puraskar from Sangeet Natak Academy.

Athidhi Devo Bhava

Chief Guest (Arangetram)

Kalaimamani, President Awardee, Sangitha Kalanidhi, Sangitha Vidyanidhi

Vidwan Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam

Dr. Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam is a child prodigy born in a family of traditional musicians of Thiruvaarur, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu. He began initial vocal training under his mother Sangeetha Vidushi Smt. T. R. Anandavalli and eventually started learning the mridangam under tutelage of his maternal uncle Mridangam Maestro Thiruvaarur Sri Krishnamurthy. He has been performing for the past 5 decades and has accompanied 4 generations of musicians.

As a young mridangist, he won several prizes in sabhas in Chennai, attained the coveted ‘A Top’ grade from the All India Radio, and Sitar Maestro Pt. Ravishankar invited him over to join his ensemble for an international tour. He also had the rare privilege of playing at the opening ceremony of the Olympic games held in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. Though belonging to the Tanjore style of playing, he developed his own individual style, that enhanced every concert he played. Dr. Bakthavathsalam helped in organizing Laya Madhura Mridanga Yagna, consisting of 108 mridangam artists from all over India, at the Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji’s Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore in 2010. Based on a new raga Sachchidananda dedicated to Swamiji, it explored the concept of ‘four’ in melody and rhythm. This extravagant effort was included in the prestigious “Limca Book of Records”. Sri Bakthavathsalam has also led similar concerts in India such as the 76-Mridangam Ensemble in Kanchipuram. He had composed and trained his students in Toronto, Canada to play a Laya Vinyasam in ‘Shatpitaputrikam’ Thalam, a thalam consisting of 50 aksharams from the 108 thalam scheme commemorating the 50th year of Bharathi Kala Mandram in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Bakthavathsalam is the founder-director of the Laya Madhuraa School of music in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Toronto, to train aspiring and eminent mridangists. He also has two solo audio albums, “Laya Madhuraa” and “Thala Bhakthi”, and has provided accompaniment in numerous cassettes and CDs of top-ranking artists.

He has received many notable awards including Sangita Kalanidhi from The Music Academy Madras, honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University Hawaii, Arsha Kala Bushanam from His Holiness Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Madhura Kala Praveena from Sangeetha Samajam Madurai, Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar from the President of India, Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu State Government, Sangeetha Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Vani Kala Sudhakara from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Sangeetha Kala Sagaram from the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival and Sangeetha Vidyanidhi from the Indian Fine Arts Academy San Diego (IFAASD).

Guest Of Honor (Arangetram)

Sangitha Vidyanidhi

Vidwan Sri. R K Shriramkumar

R. K. Shriramkumar belongs to a family of eminent Carnatic musicians who hail from Rudrapatna. Having had his initial lessons in violin playing from Vidushi Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy, Shriramkumar was trained in vocal music and violin by his grandfather Shri R. K. Venkatarama Shastry. He later received guidance in violin from Vidvan Shri V. V. Subrahmanyam and in vocal music from Vidvan Shri D. K. Jayaraman. His skills were further honed through the association and learning he gained by accompanying the doyens of Carnatic music like Vidvan Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Vidushi Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi, Vidushi Smt. D. K. Pattammal, Vidvan Shri D. K. Jayaraman, Vidvan Shri Palghat K. V. Narayanaswamy, Vidushi Smt. T. Brinda and Vidushi Smt. T. Mukta, and others. Shriramkumar has traveled far and wide on many concert tours, participating in prestigious festivals and venues. These included performances during the many concert tours to North America.
Besides being an accompanist par excellence who elevates the vocalist’s performance, Shriramkumar is also an accomplished soloist. Alongside his busy performing schedule, Shriramkumar makes time to share his wisdom and experience through lecture demonstrations and talks. He has an intuitive grasp of musical, linguistic (particularly Sanskrit) and religious texts and hence a holistic approach to music deriving from all these streams. His lecdems include a panoply of insights encompassing melodic, rhythmic and linguistic highlights of compositions. He is sought after for his lucid and engaging presentations on Carnatic music that span a wide range of topics including “An insight into the sahitya and sangita of Shri Muttusvami Dikshitar’s compositions”, the Guruguha Vibhakti Krtis, Kamalamba Navavarana Krtis, the greatness of the Musical Trinity, the Caturdasha Ragamalika, “Translating vocal music into violin playing” and many more.
R. K. Shriramkumar is also one of the founders of YACM (Youth Association for Classical Music), a premier forum for the promotion of classical music amongst the youth. He directed the music for a special television production on the Sringeri Sharada Pitham and has set to music many compositions of the Jagadgurus of Shri Sharada Pitham. He has composed music for many dance productions, notable among them being the music to the verses of the Valmiki Ramayana for the production ‘Sita Vishlesha Trayam’ by Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali, compositions for ‘Sayujya’, a collaborative production by Smt. Priyadarsini Govind & Shri T. M. Krishna, to name a few. A recipient of many awards in violin and vocal competitions including the All-India Radio Prize, the ‘Yuva Kala Bharati’ award, the ‘Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award’ and the ‘Sangita Vidyanidhi’ by IFAASD, to name a few. Shriramkumar has provided violin accompaniment in several commercial recordings including a very unique recording entitled ‘Divine Unison’ featuring the great veterans Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi.

Sohini Battiprolu (Tambura)

Sohini Battiprolu, a 10-year-old from San Diego, is an upcoming fifth-grade student at La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS). She is currently studying Carnatic music under the guidance of Dr. C. M. Venkatachalam mama and learning Carnatic violin from Sri Vid. H. N. Bhaskar sir. Additionally, Sohini is pursuing Western violin through her school. She possesses a profound passion for drawing and art, which she is hoping to leverage to support various community services. Her other interests include organic gardening, swimming, playing tennis and golf.
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