C.N. CHANDRASHEKHAR

C.N. CHANDRASHEKHAR – VIOLINIST : Sri C.N.Chandrashekhar was born in Februrary, 1955 in Mysore to musician parents Sri C.A. Narayan and Smt. C. Bhagirati. His father, Sri C.A.Narayan, was a disciple of illustrious violin maestros Mysore T.Chowdiah and Vidwan R.R.Keshavamurthy. His brother Sri C.N. Thyagaraju, is a well known artiste in violin and flute today. His parents moved to Hyderabad soon after his birth where they established a music school. Music came naturally to him. Chandrashekhar underwent initial training in both Carnatic violin and vocal music under the loving care of his parents. He progressed rapidly in his musical learning and started giving concerts at the tender age of nine. Along with music he attended school and college in Hyderabad and completed BSc from Osmania university. He then moved to Chennai in 1975 for advanced training in music. Sri Chandrashekhar began advanced training in Carnatic Violin at Chennai with Padmabhushan Parur Sri M.S.Gopalakrishnan, and Kalaimamani Parur Sri M.S.Anantharaman. He simultaneously completed Sangeetha Vidwan in Carnatic Violin and Vocal, both with distinction from Central College of Music, Adyar, Chennai. He then began training in Hindustani music in both vocal and violin under Pandit Sri Krishnanand, Chennai and had his first Hindustani concert in 1982. Not contented with his learning, he took to the study of advanced carnatic vocal music under Sangeeta Vidwan Padmabhushan Sri P.S.Narayanaswamy. He began his career as an Assistant Professor of music at Madurai University in 1981. In 1982 he joined All India Radio and served AIR in various capacities for thirty three years before retiring in 2015. He is a Top-grade AIR artiste in Carnatic violin and an A-Grade artiste in Hindustani violin. He participated in Vadya-Vrinda concerts conducted by eminent artistes like Sri Emani Shankara Sastry, Sri M.Y.Kamasastry, Pandit Sri Ravishankar, Dr. S. Balachander, Pandit Sri Vijaya Raghava Rao, Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Sri Lalgudi. G. Jayaraman and Sri Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. Later, he composed and conducted several Vadya-vrinda compositions including noteworthy performances at Srutilayasana and Sangeeta Nataka Academy Music festival in New Delhi. He has travelled all over India and Abroad and has given numerous solo programs and accompanied eminent musicians both in Carnatic and Hindustani music in many leading Sabhas. He had the privilege of touring several European Countries like France , Italy , UK and Belgium along with the great mridangam maestro Sri Karaikudi.R.Mani, for Sruthilaya concerts. In addition to giving concerts he has taught and trained many students, some of whom are eminent musicians today. Over the span of his musical career Sri Chandrashekhar has received many accolades and honours in recognition of his talent. Some of the noteworthy awards are: • Received PARUR SRI SUNDARAM IYER BEST VIOLINIST AWARD FROM KRISHNA GANA SABHA, CHENNAI IN THE YEAR 1980. • Many Prizes in inter school Competitions and inter college Competitions. • Received Title of “THANTHRI VADYA VITHPANNA” in the year 1983 at THANJAVUR. • Received title of “SUSSWARA VADYA NIPUNA" in 1985. • Received Title of "SANGEETHA RAGA RATHNA“ in 1986. • Received Title of “RAGA LAYA VINODA” in 1990. • Received “BEST SENIOR VIOLINIST AWARD” at SWAMI GNANANANDA MUSIC FESTIVAL in the year 1993. • Received “NADACHINTHAMANI” in the year 2005. • Received “SANGEETHAKALAATHAPASWI” in the year 2008. • Received “THANTHI VADYA KALAABUSHANA" in the year 2009 • Received “ GANA KALA KASTHURI” in 2015 from KARNATAKA GANA KALA PARISHATH Sri Chandrashekhar is passionate about classical music and revels in it. He continues to be a performing artiste and inspires, guides