IMSOM Concert: Abhishek Raghuram (Carnatic Vocal)

Vittal Ramamurthy

An internationally acclaimed violinist, Vittal Ramamurthy is the torchbearer and leading disciple of the Lalgudi bani. He is one of the most sought after violinists, an exceptional soloist and renowned violin guru. He has accompanied some of the legendary Carnatic musicians including his guru Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman, Shri M. Balamurali Krishna, Shri Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Shri T.N. Seshagopalan to name a few. He has many students around the world, many of whom are leading performers. www.violinvittal.com

Trivandrum V Balaji

Born in the year 1974, to Mr. R. Veeraraghavan and Mrs. Janaki, Trivandrum.V.Balaji hails from a musical family. His great grand fathers being Kodivayal Venkatrama Iyer known for his Harikatha and Konnakoll. S.V.Iyer. Trivandrm.V.Balaji has established himself as one of the most sought-after Mridangists of our times with a high reputation. Balaji, had his initial training under late Sri B. Doraiswamy of Trivandrum, Sri K.Krishna Iyengar of Trivandrum, Trivandrum Sri R. Vaidyanathan and later had his tutelage under the legendary Vidwan Padmasri Sangeetha Kalanidhi Palghat.R.Raghu. He has the privilege of accompanying various leading stars in the Carnatic Music like, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.N.Ramani, Sri T.V.Sakaranarayanan, Sri.O.S.Thyagarajan and others. He is presently an ‘A’ Grade artist in The All India Radio, Chennai. Apart from accompanying Carnatic artists, he is also a much sought-after Mridangist in the Cinema Industry and has worked with famous music directors like Mr. Vidyasagar, Mr. Deva, Mr. Haris Jayaraj and others. Best Mridangist award is something fond of Balaji. He has received awards from various prestigious Organizations including, The Sangeet Natak Academy Yuva Puuraskar(BISMILLAH KHAN YUVA PURASKAR)for the year 2009 http://sangeetnatak.org/sna/yuva2009.htm This year The Kanchi Kamakoti matam has conferred THE ASTHANA VIDWAN TITLE on Balaji. The All India Radio (1995),The Madras Music Academy best mridngist(2004,2009,2010) The Chembai Young Musician award (2004), Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer trust award (2007), to name a few. He won the NTSC scholarship organized by The Government of India in the year 1995. Trivandrum.V.Balaji commands high respect for his dexterity in technique and his uncanny command over the instrument and the underlying intricacies of Rhythm (Laya), which have won him high praise and laurels. His Mridangam artistry is embellished by the virtues that stem from temperament, poise and fine musical awareness. He has a distinct style of his own. Balaji’s solo renderings and accompaniment bear the stamp of his master’s dignified technique, very keenly appreciated by enlightened audience, both home and abroad. During Fall 2003, Fall 2005 and Spring 2008 Spring 2009, on his concert tour to the US, UK and Australia, his fluent expressions coupled with the mastery over the Mridangam enabled him to project to the Western world the perfect magical, divine value addition the instrument does to Music and hence the richness it creates. Had a unique opportunity to visit Jordan festival on 2009 as part of ICCR ,GOVT OF INDIA. He strongly believes that ‘Learning never stops’ nor is it bound by barriers such as age, geographies or cultures. It is this belief and true dedication that he has towards Music that keeps him self-motivated to explore and master areas of Carnatic Music through its depth and vastness mainly in the Laya (Rhythm) section through dedicated research and sheer hard-work. He has gained immense experience imparting training to interested young learners. At present, Balaji is training lot of keen students in India, as well as in USA and Australia.