Click for Job Profile ! Training in Music I was born in Trichur in the year 1970. We stayed in a house in Trichur opposite to where Mrs. Rajalakshmi Krishnan was staying. She had established a school of music named “Jaya Sangeetha Vidyalayam” in memory of her late mother Jayalakshmi. Raji teacher was a very good vocal music performer and was teaching vocal music to students of all ages for many years. Her house was vibrant with music. Right from my childhood, I was fascinated by Carnatic music. When I was five, my parents took me to Raji teacher and enrolled me as her student in 1975. After teaching me the fundamentals of ragas, krithis and kalpana swaras, she encouraged me to develop my own manodharmam renderings. Great musicians including Chembai Vaidynatha Bhagavathar, Dr. S.Ramanathan etc, frequented her house. I was very fortunate to be with her during these occasions. In retrospect, providing such ambience adds a lot more to the making of an artist. She also motivated me to take part in music competitions and sing in small concerts in the community. Slowly and steadily I developed confidence to sing on platforms independently. Through her blessings, I am now an “A” grade artist in All India Radio and sing concerts in various places in India. I have no hesitation to state that without her guidance I would not have understood whatever little I know about carnatic music.   Raji teacher teaches her students with dedication and patience. She gives individual attention to her students and teaches them according to the students’ capabilities, voice culture and range. Few can match her in the art of tapping potential from a student. Many students of hers are now living in many countries performing and spreading carnatic music worldwide. She still comtinues to teach from Jayamangala school of music and dance , Washington Trained by the violin vidwan Sri.T.V. Ramani for three years. Sri T V Ramani , Violin Vidvan is disciple of Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman and retired from AIR Trichur. While in Trichur, Ramani Sir trained me in Manodharma sangita. He would sing and play violin and I had to sing along with him. Ramani sir gave me the confidence to perform. Nothing should stop you from singing, he would say. Ramani sir lives in Chennai and continues to train youngsters in vocal and violin. For the past 17 years undergoing advanced training in carnatic music from the renowned musician Padmasri Neyyattinkara Vasudevan and providing vocal support to his concerts. AIR Grade "A" grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Thiruvananthapuram. Awards Awards from the Madras Music Academy, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 Conferred title Nada Oli by Nada Inbam Chennai, 2003 Krishna Gana Sabha Award, Chennai 2004 Special award for December season 2003, from Dr Nalli Kuppuswamy Chettiar, Chennai Vaikom Vasudevan Nair Memorial Award 2005 Conferred title "Yuvakalaratnam" instituted by Kaladarpanam , 2001 Chembai Memorial Trust Award in the year 2001. Countries visited Performed music concerts on various platforms in USA, Canada , Africa and the UAE Important Concerts Concerts in Madras and other places accompanied in the Mridangam by Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Sri Guruvayur Dorai, Sri Kamalakara Rao, Sri Mannargudi Eswaran, Sri Tiruvarur Bhaktavalsalam , Sri Trichur C Narendran. Madras Music Academy 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 Akashvani Sangeeth Sammelan - October 2001 at Mysore, 2004, Madurai. National Programme of The Doordarshan 2003 Cleveland Tyagaraja Festival, Ohio, April 2004 South Zone Music concert of Doordarshan.2001 Third North American Hindu Convention, Chicago 2005 Jugal Bandis with Sri Ramesh Narayan, Kalamandalam Hyderali Invited Audience programme - Swathi Festival of AIR, Thrissur and AIR, Calicut Performances in Kairali, Surya, Jeevan, Asianet and Amritha television channels. Soorya Festival 2003, 2005,2006 Ramaseva Mandali , Fort high school Grounds , Bangalore, 2003, 2006 “Music Transcends” (International Conference by Jayamangala) Symphony, Washington, 2004. Indian Embassy hall, Dubai, 2005 Films and Theatre Rendered Neelambari, Mohanam and Hamsanadam raga alapanas in the award winning film "Mazha" (2000) Rendered classical songs in plays such as "Neelavelicham" (1995) and "Mahakavyam" (2001) Lecture demonstrations and Extension programmes One day Orientation programme on Carnatic classical music for children as part of the News paper in Education Programme for The Hindu Young World (November 2002). Studies on attitude towards carnatic music, emotional impact of ragas among college students etc. in various colleges including the Cleveland State University, Ohio