Mysore M Nagaraj

VIOLIN MAESTRO | MYSORE M. NAGARAJ Mysore Nagaraj, Legendary Violin Maestro from the city of Mysore, is the son and disciple of renowned violinist Prof. S. Mahadevappa. Nagaraj was a remarkable child prodigy who matured quickly to emerge as one of the top ranking violinists in India today. His outstanding musical talents were first revealed at a very tender age of 8 when he stormed into the music world, sweeping all music lovers and critics off their feet by his extraordinary musical acumen and technical virtuosity. Nagaraj has carved a niche for himself in the annals of Carnatic classical music as a superb violinist with marvelous imagination and technical versatility. Trained in a traditional method of music teaching, Mysore Nagaraj mastered a unique style of violin playing designed by his father. This style of violin playing is marked by strict adherence to classicism, a perfect blend of emotive appeal, technical mastery and intellectual sophistication, and is recognized as one of the best in the art of violin playing. With fidelity to pitch, rhythm and ornamentation, and proper perception of the musical spirit of great composers, Nagaraj has established himself as a deeply evolved musician in Indian classical music. From child prodigy to trail blazer, captivating audiences and critics, Mysore Nagaraj has created an unrivalled record as a star performer in prestigious organizations worldwide. Violinist par excellence, Mysore Nagaraj hails from the princely city of Mysore. His performances feature an extraordinary range of musical expressions, from the deepest meditations to astonishing virtuosity, with outstanding artistic imagination. As critics admit, his concerts are filled with peace, tranquility and exhilaration — the result of superb fingering and bowing techniques creating breathtakingly beautiful melodies. Mysore Nagaraj and his virtuoso young brother Dr. Mysore Manjunath make a formidable violin duet team. They have collaborated with many outstanding musicians from all over the world and have performed innumerable Jugalbandhi concerts with many top-ranking artists in contemporary music, including Pandith V.G. Jog, Pandith Vishwamohan Bhat, Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Tejendra Narayana Majumdar, Ronu Majumdar, Dr. N. Rajam, etc. Violin concerts of Mysore Nagaraj have been featured in innumerable music festivals and conferences all over the world. Mysore Nagaraj has associations with many outstanding musicians from all over the world. The Mysore brothers have a number of CD albums to their credit. Mysore Nagaraj is a top-ranking musician of India. Laurels and accolades have kept pouring in right from his childhood. Nagaraj has received the prestigious Sangeet Nayak Academi award. He is one of the youngest musicians to be honored with the Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka. He has received innumerable awards including the Best Violinist Awards from The Music Academy and Indian Fine Arts Society, Excellence Award from American Institute of World Culture, honors from the American Arts Council, Aarkay, Inc., Sangeetha Samrat, Sangeetha Rathna, Meritorious Award from University of Oklahoma-USA etc. INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES Some of the unique performances also include music concerts at Common Thread Festival in Oregon, All European Cultural Festival in Leicester, Festival of India in London, Royal Charity Concert in Kuala Lumpur before the King of Malaysia His Excellency Naquiyuddin, concert before His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma, the President of the Republic of Namibia, and academic workshops-concerts at the University of Delaware, University of Wesleyan, University of Chicago, University of Iowa, University of North Texas, University of Osaka, Japan, Texas A&M University and University of North Carolina. ACHIEVEMENTS Mysore M. Nagaraj is one of the youngest musicians in Karnataka state to be awarded The-A Top Status, a very significant recognition by the Government of India. He was awarded the prestigious Sangeeet Natak Academi award in the year 2012. Mysore Nagaraj spreads the glory of Indian classical music all over the globe through his music. He is the first ever violinist to be invited to perform at the prestigious Milano Music Festival in Italy. He is also the first ever South Indian musician to perform a Carnatic classical music concert at the world-famous Sydney Opera House in Australia. He earned admiration as a reputed vidwan with a very rare combination of musician, teacher and organiser. His outstanding achievements have resulted in his being featured in important radio interviews including ABC, Radio Chicago and Radio Germany. Some of his concerts were live broadcast over international TV and radio channels. His concerts are regularly featured in the Radio Sangeeth Sammelan and National Programme of Music by All India Radio. COUNTRIES VISITED ON INVITATION FOR MUSIC PERFORMANCES Mysore Nagaraj has repeatedly enthralled audiences in USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Japan, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Gulf countries and etc. CONCERTS, PRESENTATIONS / DEMONSTRATIONS AT REPUTED UNIVERSITIES University of Iowa, USA University of Delaware University of Wesleyan University of Chicago University of North Texas The Kansas State University University of Princeton University of Georgia, USA North Carolina University Griffith University, Australia MIT, Boston, USA Texas A&M University, USA University of Central Oklahoma, USA SOME OF THE IMPORTANT PERFORMANCES AT NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEVEL First ever Indian musician to be invited for Violin Performance at the prestigious International Violin Conference at San Diego, USA. Concert at the Institute of World Culture, USA, 1999. Unique honor of performing at the world-famous Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, 2007. Conducted workshop on Indian Music, University of Massachusetts, USA. Violin performance at Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia, 2007. Concert at Singapore Fine Arts, Singapore. Violin concert at Milano Music Festival, Italy. Unique fusion concert in the Common Thread Music Festival at Power Theatre in Oregon, USA. Concert for American Arts Council, Houston, USA. Concert at SAARC Summit. Paper presentation and performances at the World Music Institute in New York. Special violin concert at University of Central Oklahoma, USA, 2001. Concerts at prestigious Sankat Mochan Music Festival and Saptak Music Festival. Special violin concert before His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma, the President of the Republic of Namibia, 2003. Royal charity concert in Kuala Lumpur before the King of Malaysia, His Excellency Naquiyuddin, 2002. Violin concert before former President Sri Venkataraman, former Prime Minister Sri P. V. Narasimha Rao and former President Dr. Abdul Kalam. Performed Violin Jugalbandhi concert with Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna at Portland, organized by National Endowment of Arts, USA. Live Radio concert at Congregational Church in Baden, Germany. Special concert at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Special concert and radio interview for Radio Chicago, 2001. Music concert appearance ‘TKLHNSA’, Malaysia, 2002. Concert for Spirit of Freedom Concert for National Integration, New Delhi, 2000. Concert at Asia Society’s 12th Annual Corporate Conference, Bangalore. Violin concert at the All India Speakers Meet at Vidhana Soudha, 2004. Music concerts / demonstrations at IITs and IISc in India. SPICMACAY National Convention concerts. Performance for National Endowment of Arts, USA, Portland, USA. Paper presentation / Demonstration, University of Oregon, 2006. Concert and Presentation at the Leicestershire School of Music, UK, 2006. Concert at Bozar Music Festival, Brussels. COLLABORATIONS WITH LEGENDARY MUSICIANS IN FUSION CONCERT PROJECTS Pandith Vishwamohan Bhat Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna Pandith Tejendra Narayana Majumdar Pandith Ronu Majumdar Joe Cravin Famous Italian Guitarist Priyo Fred Hamilton Fabrizio Cassol (of Akamoon fame) PRESS REVIEWS The Times of India: “Undoubtedly the two great musicians Karnataka should be proud of, Nagaraj & Manjunath rendered a very intricate Nadai Pallavi with accurate and perfect grip over laya.” Calcutta Times: “Amazing display of imagination.” The Tribune: “Known as super kids, beautiful freaks, miracles of nature, or more cynically, famous flameouts, child prodigies intrigue the ordinary just as they tease scientists to decode the mystery surrounding their brain development… Spectacular achievements by Nagaraj & Manjunath who gave their first violin concert at the ages of 8 and 9, respectively stunned everyone.” Iowa State Daily: “Audience felt that they had never before heard such a thrilling compendium of virtuosic technical mastery.” The Los Angeles Times: “Brilliant Classical Violinist from India.” Voice of Asia: “Great concert by two remarkable violin prodigies from India in Houston.” The Hindu: “The lexicographic tradition and style of Mysore has found its homogeneous inheritance in the duo Mysore Nagaraj and Manjunath.” Subbudu in Dinamani: “Nobody has seen Heaven; nor have anybody returned from there and given an account of it. But when these two young Violin virtuosos unfolded the hidden beauty of Raga at the Madras Music Academy, one could visualize what heavenly music could be like!….” Sunday Herald: “Nagaraj and Manjunath, emerging as top most violinists in India today.” Radio Chicago: “An arresting virtuoso.” Sruti: “Mysore violinists on Centre stage.” Telegraph: “Vibrant, enchanting melodic passages with a lushness that takes the breath away.” The Asian Reporter: “Master instrumentalists from India Mysore Manjunath & Nagaraj, exceptionally gifted musicians with strict adherence to classicism.” CONCLUSION Mysore Nagaraj, true cultural ambassador of India, continues to preserve and spread the rich cultural heritage of Indian classical music, in all its glory. PERSONAL DETAILS Date of Birth: 09-05-1960 Address: Mysore M. Nagaraj 1543/A, Naadaloka, Anikethana Road, 12th Cross, Kuvempu Nagar, Mysore – 570023, Karnataka. Telephone: 0821-2344111 Cell: 9902 920 920 Email: mysorenagaraj@gmail.com