S. Sowmya (Vocal)
A Carnatic musician by profession, Sowmya’s life has been soaked in melody from the very beginning. Growing up in a traditional South Indian family, she had her initial tutelage in music from her father Dr. Srinivasan, a Chemical Engineer with an enduring passion for Carnatic Music. Later she was singularly fortunate to be taken under the wings of Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan - exemplary musician, esteemed musicologist and extraordinary human being. Her musical instincts were further honed by Smt. T. Muktha, of the legendary Brinda-Muktha duo. She attributes her success and achievements till today to these individuals and to the bountiful blessings of her beloved Ambal, the Goddess Kamakshi of Kanchipuram. The desire to propagate the traditions of South Indian music worldwide led her to associate with her friend and vocalist Shashikiran, to establish Carnatica, an institution dedicated to music & dance instruction, archival, talent search and other related activities. Carnatica’s web portal is now a popular online destination for music-related information, products, courses and discussions. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Sowmya also has excellent academic credentials. She is a double postgraduate (Master’s in Chemistry as well as Indian Music) and was a top-ranked scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) and the University of Madras. Discontinuing her doctoral research program at IIT to concentrate on her music, she is now a widely traveled, popular vocalist who strives to adhere to the strict classical values imbibed from her gurus Dr. Ramanathan and Smt. Mukta.
R.K. Shriramkumar (Violin)
R. K. Shriramkumar belongs to a family of eminent Carnatic musicians who hail from Rudrapatna, a little village on the banks of river Kaveri in Karnataka. He had his initial lessons from Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy. He further learned from his grandfather Shr R. K. Venkatarama Sastry.. He later learned from Sri. V. V. Subramanyam. He also had vocal lesson. Shriramkumar began his concert career at the age of 15. His career has blossomed ever since. He has accompanied Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi, Smt. D. K. Pattammal and Sri. Sk. Jayaraman, Smt. T. Brinda and Smt T. Mukta and Sri. Palghat K. V. Narayanswamy. He has toured extensively and given many widely acclaimed concerts. He has won a number of violin competitions. For his stellar performances he was honored with a number of august musical institutions such as AIR and other bastions of carnatic music in Chennai.
Neyveli Narayanan(Mridangam)
Neyveli Narayanan and was initiated into the art of Mridangam playing at the young age of seven, under the guidance of Sri S.K. Ganesa Pillai. He made his debut at the age of 11. Intensivetraining with the Maestro (late) Thanjavur Sri Upendran introduced him to the intricacies and specialties of the Tanjore style of Mridangam playing. Check also the website: Narayanan is one of the favourite disciple of Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman. Narayanan has accompanied all the veterans of Carnatic music such as Sri T. N. Seshagopalan, Sri. T. V. Sankaranarayanan, Sri. T. R. Subramanianm, Sri K. V. Narayanaswamy, Sri Flute N. Ramani and Sri O. S. Thiagarajan.
Directions to Venue: Academy Hall, Auditorium (2nd Floor). RPI
The Hall is located at the corner of 15th and College Avenue. Academy Hall is old school 14. There is parking at academy hall in the rear (you can also park in Visitor center near the walk bridge) and
it is within two blocks of visitors information center. From I-87 Northway , take exit 7 for Rt 7 East towards Troy. Proceed on Hoosick street (RT 7 East) and turn right on to 15th street. Proceed through four traffic lights. The Academy Hall is on the right after you go under sky walk bridge and pass the new BioTechBuilding on the right. The auditorium is on the upper level (second floor) of the building.