SMC Monthly Concert July 2024
Dear Music Rasikas,
SMC would like to invite you with family and friends to our Monthly Concert to be held on Saturday 27th July 2024 at the Dundas Community Centre, 21 Sturt Street, Telopea.
4.45 pm to 5.45 pm: Vocal concert by Siri Duberkar Damathmari, accompanied by Ratan Venkatesan on the violin and Arun Muruganantham on the Mrudangam.
6 pm to 8 pm: Vocal concert by Smt. Athira Narendran and Smt. Nithyasre Ramprasad accompanied by Sri. Balaji Jagannadhan on the violin and Sri. Nirmal Ayyar on the Mrudangam.
Artiste Profiles:
Smt. Athira Narendran
Started carnatic vocal training under Sri Kottarakkara Shivakumar Krishnapillai , a senior disciple of Sri O.S Tyagarajan.Currently learning from Smt Uma Ayyar .
Smt. Nithyasree Ramprasad
I, Nithyasree Ramprasad , started learning carnatic music at the age of 12. My Guru is Ms.S.V Usha of Suprabhatha Sabha. I have participated and won prizes in several competitions conducted by organizations like the Music Academy, Indian Fine Arts, Hamsadhwani and Suprabhatha Sabha . I have also performed semi-classical kacheri’s in several temples in Chennai and won appreciations from many connoisseurs and critics. I was selected to represent Tamilnadu region for the semi-classical genre for the All-India music programme conducted by Mylapore Fine Arts.
After a long break , I had the privilege to be a student of Smt. Uma Ayyar and continuing to learn from her for the past 2 years.
Apart from carnatic music, I am interested in singing light music. Have participated in several TV shows as below.
1. Sun TV Sapthaswarangal – Top 10 finalist for the year 2003.
2. Jaya TV Ragamalika – Quarter finalist for the year 2007.
3. Raj TV - Raja Geetham – Runner up for the year 2005.
4. Vijay TV – Corporate music band show – Won Runners up
5. Vijay TV Super Singer 1 - Was part of Anuradha Sriram's team and was one of the 10 finalist.
Music has always been a part and parcel of my life.My mom was the reason for bringing the music in me and inspiration for pursuing music. Blessed to have very supportive husband who constantly encourages me to pursue music and my second mother,mom-in-law is a true motivation helping me always to dedicate my time for music. Last but not the least , blessed to have 2 beautiful children who inspire me in lot of ways.
Sri. Balaji Jagannadhan
Balaji Jagannadhan learnt vocal and instrumental Carnatic music from Bangalore Smt R. Thangammal, herself a disciple of Vidwan Sri R R Keshavamurthy. Balaji hails from the steel city of Jamshedpur, India, and is a frequent performer at Carnatic forums in Sydney and Brisbane. He is a enthusiast of both schools of music Carnatic and Hindustani. He has also contributed to the musical choreography for a few classical dance recitals.
Chi. Ratan Venkatesan
Ratan is a music enthusiast who received his initial training in Carnatic Violin under Sri. Sriram Panyam but later has been a student of Sri. Kranthi Kiran Mudigonda for over 10 years now. He is keen on developing his skills further, and regularly participates in events across Sydney. Ratan has also learnt Carnatic Vocal under Smt. Shubha Harinath. Currently, he is a student of Sri. Krishna Ramarathinam. Ratan is an active member of Karpahavalli, and is involved in organising events promoting Carnatic music to Sydney’s youth. He is a final year student at UNSW, studying Materials Science and Chemical Engineering and at present doing hgis internship at ANSTO.
Sri. Nirmal Ayyar
Nirmal Ayyar has been learning the mrudangam since the age of twelve under the initial tutelage of Sri Suthanthiraraj, before progressing his skills under the guidance of Sri Bala Sankar. He is currently learning under the guidance of Sri Melakkaveri Balaji. Nirmal learnt vocal music from Smt Prema Anandakrishnan and Smt Uma Ayyar. He continues his advanced training from Dr Ramanathan. Nirmal has had the privilege of providing accompaniment in a number of student concerts in Sydney over the past few years and continues to be actively involved in the Carnatic community.