Mandolin Trio Concert by U. P. Raju, U. Nagamini and U. Jaya Vigneshwar

Accompanied by N. Rajaraman (Ghatam) and Parupalli Phalgun (Mridangam)

U. P. Raju

Mandolin U.P. Raju is one of the foremost exponents of Carnatic mandolin and a Top Grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. A native of Palakol, Andhra Pradesh, he trained for seven years in the gurukulavasam tradition under the late Sri R. Subbaraju, whose guidance helped shape his distinctive adaptation of Carnatic gamakas on the mandolin. In October 2023, he and his family presented their Mandolin Family Quartet overseas for the first time at the Philharmonie de Paris during the Nuit du Raga festival, where they received a standing ovation from a packed audience. Together with his wife, Mandolin Smt. U. Nagamani, he also trains more than 150 students around the world. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Raju has performed regularly at major sabhas in Chennai and across India, including the December music season, and has toured extensively in South Africa, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, France, Switzerland, and Germany. He has also gained recognition through solo and duo recordings under leading labels and through his acclaimed mandolin duo with Smt. U. Nagamani. His honours include All India Radio A Grade (1997) and Top Grade (2016), the K.S. Mahadevan Endowment from Narada Gana Sabha, the titles Sruthi Laya Samrat, Yuva Kala Bharathi, Gandharva Kala Ratna, Isai Tamil Vendhar, Nadha Kala Vipanchee, Sangitha Vidwanmani, and Sangeetha Kalamitra, along with the Asthana Vidwan title from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He also founded Shastriya Mandolin Sikshana in 2012 and released the instructional DVD Learn to Play Mandolin.

U. Nagamani

Smt. U. Nagamani, a native of Palakol, Andhra Pradesh, is a distinguished Carnatic mandolin artist who began learning the instrument at the age of seven under the guidance of her uncle and mentor, Sri Mandolin U.P. Raju. A child prodigy, she was performing as a soloist in Chennai’s leading sabhas by the age of nine and went on to become the first female artist to perform Carnatic classical music on the mandolin. Nagamani has performed widely in India and internationally, including South Africa, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Germany, France, and Switzerland. She has earned recognition through solo and duo recordings and, together with her husband and mentor Sri U.P. Raju, forms a noted mandolin duo. An accomplished performer, teacher, and composer, she co-founded Shastriya Mandolin Sikshana, has trained more than 150 students in India and abroad, and conducts the annual Guru Smaranam in tribute to her guru. Her many honours include awards from Krishna Gana Sabha, Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Bharat Kalachar, All India Radio, Sangeet Natak Academy, and the Ministry of Culture, as well as Top Grade recognition from All India Radio and other major titles and festival invitations in recent years.

U. Jaya Vigneshwar

U. JayaVigneshwar is a gifted Carnatic mandolin artist from Palakol, Andhra Pradesh, trained from the age of six by his parents, mandolin maestros Sri U.P. Raju and Smt. U. Nagamani. Though young, he has developed remarkable command over gamaka and Indian classical music on the mandolin, while also exploring other genres with keen curiosity. To broaden his musical knowledge and performance style, he also trained in vocal music under Sri P.B. Srirangachary and has presented vocal concerts as well. A student of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai, and an alumnus of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, he has actively curated and composed music for school events and served as Cultural Secretary.JayaVigneshwar has presented over 300 concerts across India and abroad, including Australia, France, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore. He has performed at leading sabhas, temples, festivals, and cultural venues, both as a solo artist and with eminent musicians and his family ensemble. His notable recognitions include first place in The Hindu Margazhi Music Contest (2021), the Sri Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship for Mandolin (2022), HCL Carnatic Quest winner (2023), the Nada Pallava Award (2023), Direct A Grade from All India Radio (2024), and Best Instrumental Concert at the Rasika Ranjani Sabha Youth Festival (2024).

Parupalli Phalgun (Mridangam)

Parupalli S. Phalgun, an exceptionally talented and dynamic Mridangam artist, began his musical journey at the tender age of five under the tutelage of the Late Sri Radhakrishna Raju and Sri M.L.N. Raju of All India Radio, Vijayawada. Widely acclaimed for his dexterity, tonal clarity, and refined fingering techniques, Phalgun is a versatile performer whose artistry spans traditional Carnatic concerts, innovative duets, and global collaborative projects. A true virtuoso, he has shared the stage with some of the most celebrated musicians from India and abroad. Phalgun’s performances have captivated audiences across the globe, with tours spanning India and the world over. Of numerous accolades, Phalgun was honored with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Academy, Government of India, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian classical music. Phalgun currently serves as a faculty member at the Government Music College, Vijayawada, continuing to inspire the next generation of percussionists.

N. Rajaraman (Ghatam)

N. Rajaraman is a Ghatam artiste who carries the rich traditions of South Indian classical percussion instrument Ghatam across the globe. A disciple of “Padma Bhushan” Vikku Vinayakaram, having started his career at the age of 16, he has been playing ghatam for several leading musicians worldwide. He is B-high grade artist of AIR and won the best performer award from Music Academy in 2014. His work bridges tradition and innovation, presenting a Carnatic instrument as a living, evolving art form on the world stage. Such presentations include his works with French musicians making a few albums creating Indo-French music.