Charulatha Ramanujam

CHARULATHA RAMANUJAM Among the more talented violinists in the Carnatic music circuit today, Charulatha, balances delicately well between her manodharma during her solo turns as well as during her faithful and able support to the main artiste with an assurance and finesse. Charulatha is one of the leading violinists from Bangalore and her popularity can be gauged from the fact that she is one of the most sought after accompanists for a wide range of established musicians. In an era of fast evolving into one of regular teams representing the preferred choice of the vocalist, here is one violinist who seems to be the favourite of many a front ranking lead musicians. BACKGROUND & LINEAGE Born in a family steeped in classical music, Charulatha was initiated into music by her father Late Sri K. Rangaswamy, a vocalist of merit. With support from her mother, Late Smt K. Komalavalli, Charulatha proved a meticulous student of Vidwan Late Sri Pudukottai R Ramanathan, a direct disciple of the legend – Vidwan Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai. She later came under the tutelage of Vidwan Late Sri Anoor S Ramakrishna of Bangalore. Charulatha’s unmistakable violin pedigree received further polishing in the form of guidance from gurus, Sangita Kalanidhi Vidwan Late Sri RK Srikantan, the nonagenarian who continued to enthral audiences with his magnificent voice. Further, Charulatha got advanced fineness from another octogenarian Sangita Kalacharya Vidushi Late Smt Neela Ramgopal of Bangalore. Charulatha is a graduate in English from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. ACHIEVEMENTTS & ACCOLADES An 'A Top' grade accredited violinist in Akashvani (AIR), Bangalore, Charulatha has been featured in the South Zone hook-up of AIR and Doordarshan. She has been featured in AIR and Doordarshan’s National Programme of Music and Akashvani Sangeetha Sammelan. Besides, she has been featured in several private Broadcasting Channels, as a soloist and also as an accompanist. Charulatha has won many accolades like the Ambujam Krishna Award (Music Academy, Chennai); Ananya Yuva Puraskara (Ananya, Bengaluru); the prestigious Kalki Krishnamurthy Award (Kalki Krishnamurthy Foundation, Chennai); the Best Concert Award in the Senior concerts (Music Academy, Chennai); Swaralayaratna (Suswaralaya College of Music, Bengaluru); Ganavaridhi (Sri MA Narasimhachar Foundation, Bengaluru), to name a few. Charulatha has travelled extensively across the country not only on solo performances but also as accompanist to many stalwarts. She has performed in all the prestigious sabha-s in the country like Music Academy, Chennai; Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai; Nada Inbam, Chennai; Bangalore Gayana Samaja, Bengaluru; Nadasurabhi, Bengaluru; Bombay Shanmukhananda Sabha, Nadabrahma Sabha, Mysuru; Dasara Music Festival held in the Mysore Palace; SICA of Hyderabad; Kalasagaram, Secunderabad; the Chembai Music Festival, Guruvayoor, etc. Charulatha also toured Malaysia, Australia, Amsterdam (Tropen Institute), France, USA, Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Singapore. She has performed in the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival (USA). She successfully participated in the ICCR sponsored programmes in Mauritius and Russia for Lecture Demonstration as well as an accompanist. Charulatha has also been very popular in the studio recordings through her accompaniments. A number of albums are available to her credit as a successful accompanist. She also has a couple of solo recordings to her credit. Besides, she has been credited with two vocal CDs. Charulatha has a rich experience in teaching Carnatic Classical Music to varied age groups. She has been freelancing as a teacher for several individuals as well as groups in India and USA. Charulatha has been consistently propagating Namasankeertanam through her regular sessions month on month, for almost a decade, alongwith her students. In this divine endeavor, she's being supported by one of the leading percussionists, Vid Arjun Kumar of Bengaluru who not only takes lead in precussion arrangements but also trains youngsters.