Carnatic Quartet – Instrumental Concert    

Carnatic Quartet – Instrumental Concert    

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 4:30 PM

Fugett Middle School Auditorium

500 Ellis Lane
West Chester, PA 19380

About This Event

SRUTI is pleased to host a Grand Carnatic Quartet Instrumental Concert featuring Mylai M. Karthikeyan (Nadaswaram), Shreya Devnath (Violin), Praveen Sparsh (Mridangam), and R. Jeeva (Tavil)

Mylai M. Karthikeyan (Nadaswaram)

Mylai M Karthikeyan is a young torchbearer of the Nadaswaram tradition. He started learning at the age of eight from his father Mylai Sri S. Mohanraj, and then proceeded to learn from Vidwan Mylai Sri Rajendran. He then joined the Adyar Music College and went on to complete his Diploma in Nadaswaram under Vidwan Vysarpadi Sri G. Kothandaraman, earning the gold medal.

He has received awards & titles including “Vaadya Visaaradha,” “Vaadhya Kalaimani” and “Nadaswara Eilaval.” He received the MS Subbulakshmi Fellowship Award. He is an A Grade Artist on the All India Radio.

Shreya Devnath (Violin)

Shreya Devnath is a student of the legendary Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman. She is a distinctive solo-violinist and has accompanied leading artists including Vijay Siva, Sikkil Gurucharan, and Neyveli Santhanagopalan. She has recently performed duets with Nadaswaram, Chitraveena, Flute, and Sitar.

Shreya has performed at concerts and workshops in India and around the world. She has also performed with productions of noted writer, playwright, and musician Dr. Gowri Ramnarayan. Recognition has also come to her in the form of awards and titles including MS Subbulakshmi Fellowship, Parur Sundaram Iyer Award, and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Award for Youth Excellence. She is also a talented painter, poet, and a short story writer. However, she remains deeply passionate about music.

Praveen Sparsh (Mridangam)

Praveen Sparsh started learning Mridangam at the age of five from Mridangam Maestro Guruvayur Sri Dorai. He is the grandson of Mridangam exponent Thanjavur Sri Upendran.

Praveen is a sought-after Mridangam player, and performs regularly with stalwarts like TM Krishna, Aruna Sairam, Bombay Jayshree, Sikkil Gurcharan. He has performed in India and abroad. Praveen has released his acclaimed solo percussion album, ‘UNRESERVED,’ a mridangam centric album that explores the sounds of everyday life. As a music producer, Praveen has scored and performed music for the play ‘Kurukshetra – When things fall apart.’ He has also scored music for short films, performed at music festivals, and has collaborated with renowned music bands.

Praveen has received prestigious awards and titles including “Laya Ratna,” “Palani Subramanya Pillai Memorial Award,” MS Subbulakshmi Fellowship, “Yuva Kala Bharati,” “Best Performer Award,” and Palghat Mani Iyer’s Endowment Award.

R. Jeeva (Tavil)

R. Jeeva is a well-regarded Tavil artist, and a disciple of Gurus Sri Sozhavaram Nathan and Sri Vetharanyam V.G. Balasubramanyam. He has completed his Music Diploma in Raja Annamalai Mandram, earning the title “Vaadya Visaaradha” upon completion. He has also received the title of “Sangeetha Seva Rathna.” Jeeva is a graded AIR artist.