lalithanandini

Kalaimamani Dr. M. Lalitha - Fulbright Fellow, USA Kalaimamani M. Nandini – Charles Wallace Fellow, UK (Performers - South Indian Classical, Western Classical, Fusion, World Music traditions/ Composers / Musicologists). Internationally acclaimed Violin Maestros Dr. M. LALITHA and M. NANDINI have been widely applauded as the ..QUEENS OF VIOLIN – South African Times’ of the present generation. Popularly known as the ..VIOLIN SISTERS’, these outstanding musicians have enthralled the audiences with their spell binding music and have been acclaimed as the ..ONLY FEMALE DUO IN ASIA to perform the World music, South Indian Classical, Fusion and Western Classical music – Le Mauricien’.Lalitha - Nandini: Trans Global Fusion

Add to My Profile | More Videos ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&am p;videoid=22117913 ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- To quote the renowned music critic Subbudu “..Music runs in their blood, they must have played music even when they were in their mother’s womb. ” LALITHA and NANDINI are the torchbearers of a unique musical tradition but yet have evolved a distinct style of their own. Hailing from an illustrious family of musicians, LALITHA and NANDINI have the privilege of being the fourth generation of musicians in their family.Their musical genius manifested at the tender age of three and they came under the tutelage of the musical doyen guru Shri V. Lakshminarayana Iyer who was their beloved grand father. They have undergone specialized training in music under the able guidance of their mother Smt. Subhalakshmi Muthuswamy who is a reputed Vocalist, Violinist, teacher and musicologist. They were also inspired by their uncles Shri. L. Vaidyanathan, Dr. L. Subramaniam and Dr. L. Shankar, who are internationally reputed for their musical genius and have also been taught by them. They have undergone advanced training in music from Padma Vibhushan Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. They have undergone specialized training in the compositions of Muthuswamy Diksitar from Mrs. Ramani Baskar. They were trained in Western Classical Music by Sri. V. S. Narasimhan and have passed the final grade (8th grade) examinations conducted by the Trinity college of Music, London in Western Classical Music in Violin. They have also learnt the Theory of Western Classical Music. They are acclaimed as the ONLY FEMALE VIOLIN DUO in INDIA to know both the systems of music - the Western Classical and the South Indian Classical Music.They have the rare honour of their Guru – Sishya Parampara tracing back to the Carnatic Musical luminaries – Saint Tyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Syama SastriLALITHA and NANDINI are regarded as highly imaginative virtuoso Violinists with immaculate bowing and dexterous fingering techniques. They have been endowed with a sweet and rich tone, which along with their innate artistry and technical brilliance makes their music unique.They have been applauded by both connoisseurs and laymen alike for their original and unique style of violin playing. The music that cascades from the Duo’s Violin’s is known to be sublime, brilliant, traditional and celestial. Their Violin playing is known to be replete with ragabhava, good command over all aspects of laya and clarity of svara. Their rare musical insight combined with their innate artistry, technical brilliance and original creativity, has endeared them to music lovers. They enrapture their audience with imaginative improvisations and intricate rhythmic patterns fused with melodic sweetness. They have specialized in playing varnam-s in different grades of tempo and in playing Kalpana Svara-s in many grades of speed, which is a prominent and unique feature of their style of Violin playing.Though much sought after violinists of today, their firm adherence to tradition or sampradaya suddham and patantara suddham adds credit to their style of performance. With their irresistible urge for perfection they have revolutionized the violin playing technique to great heights.There is a rare spirituality about their music which soaked in bhakti bhava has endowed their music with a transcendental quality. Their music is envisioned by the sisters as an offering to the divine, which in their musical voyage is a sole endeavor to alleviate the soul, which results in a rare aesthetic and emotional musical quality.

As Cultural ambassadors of India’s rich musical heritage, LALITHA and NANDINI have traversed the four corners of the globe - spreading the message of global harmony and promoting bi-lateral ties between different nations through their music. They have the rare honour of being the First ever Indian Musicians to perform in the Free State Province of South Africa. They have performed extensively in Major Music Festivals in India and in other countries including USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, United Kingdom, Middle East, South Africa, and Mauritius. Some of the major festivals / theatres where they have performed include the Baxter’s Theatre- South Africa, Cape Town Music Festival – South Africa, Opera House – South Africa, Saddlers Wells – London, Royal Academy of Arts – London, World Tamil Conference, Sprit of Unity concerts for National Integration, Julie Morgan Theatre – USA, Fordehuset – Norway, Quatre Bonne Conservatoire- Mauritius, Soorya Festival- Kerala, Sirifort Auditorium – New Delhi, Music Academy - Chennai, Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival, Tyagaraja Aradhana – Tiruvaiyaru, DITI- Australia, Temple of Fine Arts - Malaysia, Royal Nepal Academy- Nepal, Indian Consulate Hall- Dubai, Rise Festival - London, Sir Ian Turboot Auritorium - Australia, Dorothy Winston Auditorium - New Zealand.LALITHA and NANDINI have also forayed into the realms of experimental music with resounding success. They have been widely acclaimed as outstanding ..VIOLIN VIRTUOSO’S and QUEEN’S OF FUSION MUSIC’. They present a special Trans Global fusion where they compose and arrange the music. The talented sisters LALITHA and NANDINI are pioneers in introducing the concept of TWIN CONCERT combining SOUTH INDIAN CLASSICAL and TRANS GLOBAL FUSION MUSIC. The talented Violin duo sisters have also performed Jugalbandi combining South Indian Classical and North Indian Classical music. As composers they have experimented with different media – including short films, theatre, classical and Trans Global Fusion.LALITHA and NANDINI have released many albums - CD’s, VCD’s, DVD’s and Cassettes to their credit many of which have receive the Top 10 rating.PRIZES, AWARDS AND TITLES - LALITHA and NANDINI have been awarded several prizes, awards and titles by various organizations in recognition of their talent and dedication in the field of South Indian Classical Music. ..GOLD MEDAL’ awarded by His Holiness Shri Shankaracharya Swamigal of KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETAM for securing the First place in the State Violin competition. Title of ..SAI GANA MANI’ awarded by Sai Spiritual Centre, Chennai. Title of ..YUVA KALA BHARATI’ awarded by Bharat Kalachar, Chennai. Title of ..INNISAI JNANA KALA MANIGAL’ awarded by Sri Kalikambal Kamadeswarar Devasthanam, Chennai. Honoured by the organization MOHANAM as ..THE MOST TALENTED ARTISTES’ of 1991, Chennai. ..TAMBURA PRIZE’ for the ..BEST CONCERT’ of the Music Season, awarded by The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai. Title of ..NADA VINODINI’ awarded by Sri Ranjani Trust, Chennai. RAJAMANIKAM PILLAI CENTENARY AWARD for ..Excellence in Violin Playing’ by the Sri Ragam Fine Arts, Chennai. Awarded the prestigious title of ..KALAIMAMANI’ which is the Highest Honour in Music and Performing Arts conferred by the State Government of Tamil Nadu. Dr. M. Lalitha and M. Nandini were conferred with the title of ..BHARATHA VIOLIN VADHYA THILAKANGAL’ by His Holiness Sadguru Srimad Shantananda Swamigal in Chennai - 2002. Maduram Narayanan Memorial Award for the BEST SENIOR VIOLINIST from the Madras Music Academy, 2004-2005. BEST SENIOR VIOLINIST AWARD from the Indian Fine Arts Society Chennai, 2004-2005. Lalitha and Nandini were awarded the title of ..Asthana Vidwan’ of the Sri Bhuvaneswari Peetam and Sri Sri Judge Swamigal Adistanam, Pudukottai. Lalitha and Nandini were awarded the title of ..BHUVANA SANGEETHA PRAVAHINI’ by the Chennai Om Sri Skandasramam trust for their services and contribution in the field of music - 2005. Honoured as ..ISAI PUYALGAL’ by the London Murugan Temple. Honoured with a ..Gold Chain’ by the Muthumari Amman Temple, London. Honoured as ..Ganavarshini’ by the Mahalakshmi temple, London. Honoured with the title of ..Shrividhya Tapasvi’ for their services to music and bhakthi oriented traditional music by the Tapas Academy and Yuva keertana trust.

INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED - Dr. M. Lalitha and M. Nandini have been awarded with the US and UK Governments highest award. Dr. M. Lalitha has been awarded the ..FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIP IN PERFORMING ARTS’ while M. Nandini has been awarded with the ..CHARLES WALLACE TRUST FELLOWSHIP IN PERFORMING ARTS’ which are highly competitive and prestigious awards. Both the sisters collaborated and worked on World music, ethnomusicology and fusion. They have been selected as CULTURAL AMBASSADORS and dignitaries to the US and UK respectively. Lalitha was affiliated to the University of Pittsburgh in the US while Nandini was affiliated with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.WORLD MUSIC AND ETHNOMUSICOLOGY - Lalitha and Nandini are adept in world music, ethnomusicology and fusion music. They have specialized in the different traditions of world music like the Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian music (Gamelan), African music and drumming, Middle Eastern including the Turkish, Iranian, Persian, Egyptian, Jazz, Latin American, Brazilian, Spanish, Blues, Folk traditions to name a few. Lalitha and Nandini have also learnt to play the Chinese instrument Ehru, the Indonesian Gamelan and African Drums like the Jambe, Ugandan drums, bass drum, bells and rhythmic pads in the University of Pittsburgh, USA and SOAS, University of London.CHARITY CONCERTS - LALITHA and NANDINI the ambassadors of Music have performed concerts to raise funds for many social causes. Lalitha and Nandini performed a charity concert with a Finnish band ..Pirpauke’ in Bangalore for the victims of Tsunami.To raise funds for the victims of Tsunami Lalitha and Nandini performed a charity concert and presented their trans global fusion in Chennai.Lalitha and Nandini performed a fund raising concert for a temple building in London.JUGALBANDI - The talented Violin duo sisters have performed Jugalbandi combining South Indian Classical and North Indian Classical music with Tarun Bhattacharya, Ronu Majumdar, Gaurav Majumdar, Sameer Charteerjee.AS COMPOSERS - Dr. M. LALITHA and M. NANDINI have also forayed into the realms of composition. Their Trans Global Fusion concerts consist of their compositions, which portray global styles and colours of music. Lalitha and Nandini have scored music for French and Norwegian Theatre productions. They have also composed music exclusively for Dance Ballets. Wrote an exclusive composition for the Indian and Chinese Ensemble in London. Wrote compositions for the Indian and the Middle Eastern Ensemble in London. Wrote a special composition called Chennaiyil Tiruvaiyaru combining elements of East and West. Orchestrated and wrote composition combining elements of Indian, African and middle Eastern music for the Boschbela String Orchestra, South Africa and was premiered in the Free State Province Bloemfontein. Wrote composition combining elements of Indian and Western Classical music for the Quatre Bonne String Orchestra, Mauritius and was premiered in the Quatre Bonne Conservatoire, Mauritius.MUSIC DIRECTORS - The versatile Violin sisters are also Music Directors having done the Music Direction for ..KAAICHA MARAM’ a short film directed by the famous Actress cum Director Mrs. Suhasini Maniratnam produced by the famous Madras Talkies. The sisters have scored the music for another documentary film based on a true life story. The sisters scored the background music for the documentary on Mrs. Y. G. Parthasarathy as part of her 80th birthday celebrations.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS - Dr. M. LALITHA and M. NANDINI have distinguished themselves academically also. LALITHA has been awarded the degree of DOCTOR of PHILOSOPHY (Ph. D) in Indian Music, from the University of Madras for her thesis ..A Comparative Study of the Violin Techniques in Western and South Indian Classical Music. Supervisor and Guide – Prof Dr. N. Ramanathan. LALITHA also holds a M. Phil. degree (Master of Philosophy) in Indian Music from the University of Madras. LALITHA holds a Master’s Degree (M A) in Indian Music. LALITHA’S thesis has been published as a book ..Violin Techniques in Western and South Indian Classical Music – A Comparative Study’, New Delhi, 2004. NANDINI holds a Triple Master’s Degree one in Information Science from the University of Madras, one in Indian Music from the Mother Teresa’s Women’s University, Kodiakanal and one in ETHNOMUSICOLOGY from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of LONDON. NANDINI holds a Double Bachelor’s Degree one in English literature and the other in Indian Music. NANDINI is working towards her Ph D. LALITHA and NANDINI have contributed many articles relating to music to many magazines, journals and web sites and have also reviewed books and presented several papers relating to music. The duo’s book on ..Violin Maestro V. Lakshminarayana Iyer - His life and contirbution to the World of Music’ was released worldwide.MILESTONES- ONLY FEMALE DUO IN ASIA to perform the World music, South Indian Classical, Fusion and Western Classical music. Lalitha and Nandini are the pioneers to introduce and perform the Carnatic Music in the University of London. FIRST INDIAN MUSICIANS to perform in the Free State Province Bloemfontein, South Africa which marked a historical event. FIRST SOUTH INDIAN MUSICIANS TO BE INTERVIEWED AND TO HAVE PERFORMED CARNATIC VIOLIN DUET IN THE BBC RADIO 3 Awarded the prestigious title of ..KALAIMAMANI’ which is the Highest Honour in Music and Performing Arts conferred by the State Government of Tamil Nadu. BEST SENIOR VIOLINIST from both the Madras Music Academy and the Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai on the same year. Awarded the highly coveted INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS of Fulbright from USA and the Charles Wallace Fellowships from United Kingdom in performing Arts. FIRST INDIAN MUSICIAN SISTERS to receive these fellowships. Acclaimed as the ONLY FEMALE VIOLIN DUO in INDIA to know and perform both the systems of music - the Western Classical and the South Indian Classical Music. FIRST female violinists to have the Thavil as an accompanying instrument in a Carnatic Music Concert (Violin Duet) FIRST female violinists to perform Fusion Concerts combining Carnatic Music, Western Classical Music and World Music (Carnatic, Western, Egyptian, Arabic, Russian, American, Irish, Norwegian, Jazz, Blues, Spanish etc.) ONLY Indian Violinists to perform at prestigious International Music Festivals at Norway, Australia, USA, Singapore, Nepal, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Middle East. Invited to present a unique program to commemorate the 50th year Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Indian Independence. Experts in the fields of Musicology and Ethnomusicology. They have specialized in the different music of the world like the Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian music (Gamelan), African music and drumming, Middle Eastern including the Turkish, Iranian, Persian, Egyptian, Jazz, Latin American, Brazilian, Spanish, Blues, Folk traditions. They have specialized in playing the Chinese instrument Erhu, Indonesian Gamelan and African Drumming. Albums in the TOP 1 Rating. Presented concerts along with the Tavil and Ghatam which rates them as the pioneers in having these accompanying instruments. Conducted the Boschbela string orchestra, South Africa. First Indian Female Musicians to perform in the Quatre Bonne Conservatoire.PRESS QUOTES - LALITHA and NANDINI whose music has been varied described as sublime, ebullient, soul stirring, virtuous and so on have been widely acclaimed by several music critics. Violin Duo creates History - The Hindu. The festival of India ’ 93 started with the Violin Duet of LALITHA and NANDINI sisters whose sublime music cascading from the lively strings of the Violin, made the listeners sit spell bound. The young girls converted their duet performance, the first programme in the Festival Series, into an unforgettable experience to the discerned listeners of Carnatic Music.-Mathrubhoomi, Cochin. The ebullient violin duo LALITHA and NANDINI treated the audience with their joyful flow of music with skill well embossed on their playing technique. -SVK, The Hindu. To wield the bow and keep the audience enthralled with soul stirring melodies is child’s play form M. LALITHA and M.NANDINI as music runs in their blood. -Shanthi Bhaskaran, Coromandel Star. Virtuosity was displayed with striking felicity by the nimble fingered sisters. It was balanced well with carnatic flavored sweetness. -NMN, The Hindu. Lalitha & Nandini have indeed mastered the Violin technique.-Subbudu, Indian Express. South Indian Violin Duo mesmerizes audience - The Kathmandu Post, Nepal. LALITHA and NANDINI, popularly known as the ‘Violin Duo’, not only demonstrated their intelligence in contouring the raga bhava but the flamboyant & temperamental gesture shown on stage kept the audience captivated. - Space Time Today, Nepal. THE WOODS GET ROCKING AGAIN : SAARANG - Full credit to M. Lalitha and M. Nandini who took to the stage, captivating their audience….the highlights of the show included ..Egyptian Magic’ piece that oozed the Egyptian flavour pepped up with Jazz. - The Hindu, Chennai. EAST MEETS WEST: East and West did meet each other harmoniously…thanks to the Trans Global Fusion music played so enchantingly by the popular Violin Duo of Dr. M. Lalitha and M. Nandini.- The Indian Express, Chennai. VIOLIN DUO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCE: Nepal could never boast of watching world renowned violin player such as Yehudi Menuhin playing live on stage of our country. And today it was the audience present at Royal Nepal Academy who took pleasure watching the Outstanding Violinists Lalitha and Nandini play. - Space Time Today, Nepal. STRIKING A CHORD: The duo have the distinction of sharing the stage with their uncles for World Music and have interacted with legends like Sir Yehudi Menuhin and Arve Tellefson from Norway.- Successzone, Society, India. LOVELY RAGAS, LILTING JAZZ: The superfast western song Sunshine was an instant success.- City Express, Chennai. They have a superb command over the instrument and anyone who wish to find a flaw with them will surely be disappointed. The speed and tonal variation in their rendition is astonishing. - Hamaracd.com. The ace Violin duo of the sisters Lalitha & Nandini… their music sounds like a variation of Bach’s toccata and fugue, with elements of Jazz and carnatic styles thrown in. They have played to audiences all over the world and last august held 10,000 strong crowd spellbound at the Freedom Jam festival in Bangalore.- Anurag Jain’s Blog on Bangalore, In.htm. Lalitha and Nandini performed at the Nehru Centre in London: The concert was a resounding success and the sisters captivated their multicultural audience with their sweet presentation of traditional Carnatic Music.- Ashok Ray, London. They’re excellent violinists. – from London - flickr.com. Les deux s--urs sont considérées comme les seules femmes du continent asiatique pouvant présenter en duo la world music, la musique classique du Sud de l’Inde, la musique classique occidentale et la fusion. – Le Mauricien.PERFORMANCES AT MAJOR FESTIVALS AND THEATERS / HALLS LALITHA and NANDINI have performed widely for PRESTIGIOUS MUSIC FESTIVALS in Music theaters / halls like Royal Philharmonic Hall- London, Arena - London, Indian Consulate Hall-Dubai Festival of Music, Saddlers Wells Theatre - London, Brunei Theatre - London, Surdhwani - London, Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival - USA, Om Skandasramam - Salem & Chennai, Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society - Singapore, International Music Festival - Norway, Fordehuset - Norway, DITI Festival - Australia, Millennium concerts for world peace- Australia, Temple of Fine Arts - Malaysia, Embassy of India - Nepal, Royal Nepal Academy- Nepal, Bangalore IT. COM - Bangalore, Chowdiah Memorial Hall - Bangalore, Sirifort Auditorium - New Delhi, University Of London- United Kingdom, Music Academy - Chennai, Rang Bhavan - Mumbai, Sivayogam- London, Charity Concert for a temple building- London, Talkatora Indoor Stadium- New Delhi, Guru Surajananda Day- London, Ravindra Bharati- Hyderabad, Swaralaya Auditorium- Kerala, National Centre for performing Arts (NCPA)- Mumbai, Spirit of Unity Concerts for National Integration - New Delhi, Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival- India, Batley Hall- Yorkshire, World Tamil Conference- Tanjore, Sri Chithra Music Festival - Trivandrum, Horizons (ICCR - Govt. of India)- New Delhi, Julia Morgan Theatre - USA, Thorne Hall- USA, Golden Jubliee of Charles Wallace Trust- London, SOAS Music Day- London, Shanmukhananda Sabha - Mumbai, DRDL & RCI - Ministry of Defence - Hyderabad, Soorya Festival- Trivandrum, Orient Express Lines - Singapore, Swaralaya Music Festival- Palakkad, SV Temple - USA, NadaMantapam His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidanada Ashram - Mysore, Milap fest - UK, Bangalore It.In- India, Nehru Centre- London, TWAN- London, Royal Academy of Arts- London, University of Pittsburgh - USA, Fulbright Foundation Day- Chennai Baxters Theatre - Cape Town, SA, Cape Town Music Festival- South Africa, Opera House- South Africa, Glass Palace- South Africa, Lindser Theatre- South Africa, Gujarati Kalakendra Hall- South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi Institute- Mauritius, Indra Gandhi Institute for Culture- Mauritius, Quatre Bonne Conservatoire- Mauritius, Kali Peetam Chebel- Mauritius, Rise Festival - London, Sir Ian Turboot Auditorium- Australia, Dorothy Winston Auditorium - New Zealand.