Sruti Presents A Carnatic Violin Concert by Kalaimani A. Kanyakumari

June 6th, 2004; 2:30 PM.
St. Mary’s Hall, Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Kalaimamani A. Kanyakumari – A leading violinist in carnatic music strictly adhering to the traditional form of carnatic music as soloist, accompanist, teacher, innovator and organizer, dedicating life to music alone. She learnt violin since an early age under Sri Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao, later trained under Sri M. Chandrasekaran and later was groomed by Late Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari into a front ranking violinist. Provided accompaniment to Late Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari for nearly two decades and provides accompaniment to Saxaphone Kadri Gopalnath for the past few years. Has won several awards — to name a few, Kalaimamani, Ugadi Puraskar Award, The Papa Venkatramiah Award, Padma Sadhana, and won titles as Sangeethakalanipuna, Nadakkanal, Tingalchudar, Sangeetha Ratna and Isai Vani. Has traveled on tours to US, UK, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Embar Kannan has come to be recognized as a leading violinist of today. Trained under the renowned Kalaimamani Kanyakumari, he has lived up to the expectations of a promising violinist of great potential. His bowing technique is of high quality, marked by sweetness and clarity. Kannan is the recipient of many awards and honors for both his solo and his accompanying skills. He is an A grade artist of the All India Radio (AIR) and has played solo concerts and violin duets with his guru. He has been awarded the title of Yuva Kala Bharathi in 1998. He has also traveled widely and preformed in concerts in US, Europe, and the Far East.

Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan – Born in a family of percussionists, had his early training under his grandfather Shri Thiruvarur Kunju Iyer and uncle Thiruvarur Nagarajan. Had his advanced training under mridangam maestro Shri Karaikudi Mani. Has accompanied most leading musicians such as Dr. Balamuralikrishna, Late Dr. M.L.Vasanthakumari, Dr. N. Ramani, Smt. D.K. Pattammal, Sri Nedunuri Krishnamoorthy, Sri T.V. Sankaranarayan, Mandolin Srininas, Smt. Sudha Raghunathan, etc. His playing style characterized by melodic richness, clarity at higher tempos and a keen sense of anticipation together providing a complementary percussion support that enhances the performance of the main artist. He has been on an assignment between 2000 and 2003 training students at Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society in Singapore. Presently running a mridangam school in Madras.