Charumathi Raghuraman, is a young violin virtuoso in the Carnatic, South Indian music tradition. A precocious talent, she started learning first from her mother Smt. Rama Raghuraman, then continued formalized training with the respected Guru Smt. T.R. Balamani in Mumbai, and soon thereafter, at the suggestion of the iconic violinist of South India, Padma Bhushan Prof. T. N. Krishnan, Charumathi became his ardent disciple in 1995. She also studies Carnatic vocal music with the renowned teacher Padma Bhushan Sri. P. S. Narayanaswami.

She played her debut concert along side Prof. T. N. Krishnan in 1998 and since then has been performing regularly both as a soloist and accompanist. The salient features of her musicianship include the rare combination of a pure sound and erudite content. She not only excels in the instrumental technique of the violin but is equally adept in reproducing vocal nuances mellifluously.

She has been awarded the CCR&T, Govt. of India scholarship from the age of ten. She is the recipient of many awards; some of the notable ones include the ‘Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award’ for the year 2016, ‘Ramabhadran Centenary Award’ for the Most Promising Young Musician of the Year 2013 from Tag Corporation, India; ’Young Achiever award’ from Rotary Club; ‘Best Violinist’ awards for the years 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006, and the ‘Outstanding Young Violinist’ award in 2007-08 from The Music Academy (Madras); and ‘Best Violinist’ awards from various institutions like Narada Gana Sabha, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Indian Fine Arts Society etc.

She is an ‘A grade' artist of the All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Charu has traveled widely across India and abroad to perform in prestigious music festivals and institutions over the last 15 years. In 2011, Charu was invited to participate in The Woodford Folk Festival, an annual music festival held in Brisbane, Australia. A year later, Charu was part of a cultural delegation organized by ICCR (New Delhi) to tour Brazil. She also participated in a collaborative concert with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, USA. In May 2016, Charu was invited to perform a solo concert at The Bhavan, London, as part of their Mandolin Shrinivas Memorial Concert Series. She has traveled widely for other performances in USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Singapore etc.

Academically, she holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Xavier Institute.

Manoj Siva

Manoj Siva began his training in Mridangam under Kumbakonam Shri.Rajappa Iyer and Srirangarajapuram Jayaraman in the year 1978 and later on came under the tutelage of Sangitha Kalanidhi Palghat R.Raghu in the year 1992. Is a “Top Rank Grade “grade artiste of All India Radio Chennai and has been in the profession for more than 20 years.

Known for his soft and accommodating style, he has accompanied stalwarts like D K Jayaraman, K V Narayanaswamy, D K Pattammal, T Muktha, R K Srikantan, P S Narayanaswamy, N Ramani (flute), R Vedavalli, T N Seshagopalan, T V Sankaranarayanan

Has won many prizes and awards notably Yuva Kala Bharathi by the Bharath Kalachar, Chennai, the “Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Award” by the Central Sangeeth Natak Akademi for the year 2006, the Nathan memorial award by Sruthi Laya Kendra of Guru Karaikudi Mani for the year 2007, the Kanchi Kamakoti Aasthana vidwan by the Kanchi mutt for the year 2009 and the title of ‘Mrudangam Mani’ by the Kanchi Mutt in 2010.

Has traveled abroad widely on concert tours to countries U.S.A, Canada, London, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Sri Lanka ,Dubai Netherlands and Belgium .Manoj has regaled audiences all over the world.

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