Nayana Ramesh's Journey
Nattuvangam & Mridangam: Sri G. Vijayaraghavan
Sri. G.Vijayaraghavan is a disciple of Madurai T. Srinivasan and Kumbakonam T.V.Balu. He is one of the leading percussionists in India, and has been honored by the President of India three times. Sri. G Vijayaraghavan is a familiar figure in India, having performed frequently on All India Radio and at the Sangeet Sammelan festivals. In addition, he is a lyricist and has to his credit, a published book “Nritya Ganamrudham, and has also released a CD. He has accompanied prominent Bharatanatyam dancers in venues around the world, and critics have hailed his playing as an integral, entertaining component of these events.
He has accompanied Natya Dance Theatre in its tours abroad, and in the United States every year since 1995. Amongst the many awards that he has received are the “Laya Kala Vipanchi “, given by Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna, and the Sudharani Raghupathy Endowment Award for Senior Musicians from Narada Gana Sabha. Next month, he will be receiving the Senior Mridangist award from Abhai, the world-renowned Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India.
Vocals: Smt. Chitrambari Krishnakumar
Smt. Chitrambari is widely recognized as one of the leading Indian vocalists at work today. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Indian Music from the University of Madras in 1992, and her Master of Arts in Indian music from the University of Madras in 1994. Smt. Chitrambari is a B High artiste in All India Radio. As a solo artist, she has accompanied dancers in various Indian styles at leading venues throughout India, and other countries over the past twenty eight years. Additionally, she has scored the music for many ballets including “Thiruppugazh”, “Soorya-The Sun God”, “Arupadai Veedu” and “Thiruvasagam”. She was recognized with the Best Vocal Support for Dance award by Shri Krishna Gana Sabha and has been awarded for her work by VDS arts academy. In 2017, she was the recipient of the prestigious Natya Sangeetha Kala Bharathi Award from Bharat Kalachar. Smt. Chitrambari was also awarded the Gana Kala Vipanchi in 2022.
Violin: Sri Kalaiarasan Ramanathan
Shri Kalaiarasan is one of the most popular and sought after violin Artists in the field of Bharatanatyam music.
He is a disciple of Smt. Dhaanadevi Mithradeva, and graduated with Honors, from Annaamalai University, in Chidambaram, India, with the title of “Sangeetha Bhushanam”. He hails from a family of musicians, and is the son of the distinguished Vidwan, “Sangeetha Bhushanam”, Professor Thiru A.S Ramanathan, a retiree of Annaamalai University.
He has over 25 years of Carnatic Music experience , and has accompanied Bharatanatyam artistes, performing both in India, and other countries abroad. He has also participated in several music and dance DVD productions, for companies like “E-Parampara Infotainment”, and “Swaathi Soft Solutions”.
He has received the “Best Supporting Violin Artist Award for Dance” , from Shri Krishna Gaana Sabha, and the “Best Accompanying Artist Award for Dance” from V.D.S Arts Academy. Shri Kalaiarasan was also awarded, the prestigious “Sudhaaraani Raghupathy Endowment Award” for Senior Musicians, from “Natyarangam”, the dance wing of Naarada Gana Sabha, Chennai.