Carnatic Vocal Concert By T M Krishna: Events in Hyderabad

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The South India Cultural Association (SICA), one of the oldest cultural associations of the twin cities, is organising its 51st Annual Festival Of Music & Dance, from 9th to 17th March, at the Ravindra Bharathi auditorium. The 9-day festival will feature several renowned performers - T M Krishna, P Unnikrishnan, Ravi Kiran, Sankaran Namboodiri, Priya Sisters, M Chandrasekharan and danseuse Anita Guha.

T M Krishna will be performing a Carnatic vocal recital on the inaugural day. Krishna started learning music from the early age of 6, under Vidwan Seetharama Sarma, and later, took a special training in Ragam-Thanam-Pallavi, under Changalpet Ranaganathan. He was under the guidance of late Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer for more than 7 years.

He has several awards and titles to his credit. He has performed all over India and in several countries abroad. Besides being a musician of acclaim, Krishna is a teacher, composer, researcher and author. He co-authored many books. In 1998, along with musicians Vijay Siva and Sunder, he authored the first ever Carnatic music appreciation album titled "Learning to Appreciate Carnatic Music". In 2001, along with musician Bombay Jayashree and Sanjay Subrahmanyan, Krishna authored a book on Prof. Sambamoorthy, an Indian musicologist. In 2007, he co-authored and published a book with Bombay Jayashri titled "Voices Within", the first coffee-table book of its kind, on the legends of Carnatic music.

Krishna is a co-founder of Jnanarnava Trust, an organisation devoted to the research, documentation and archival of ancient traditions in Carnatic music. He Initiated Kalachara Marumalarchi, an organization dedicated to the revival of cultural activities in the interior towns and villages of Tamil Nadu . He co-founded Sumanasa Foundation, an organization to promote Carnatic music and musicians in and around rural areas by sponsoring upcoming musicians and identify talent.

SICA was founded in the year 1959, by Dewan Bahadur Aramuda Iyengar, patron of Carnatic music and Finance Minister of Hyderabad's Nizam. The association has since organised more than 1,000 concerts. It has provided a basic platform for upcoming artistes amongst whom are U P Raju and Nagamani, Mandolin Srinivas and the Malladi Brothers. It conducts workshops, felicitates artistes, and provides both moral and financial support to upcoming artistes. Dr. S Chakravarthy (IAS, former Chief Secretary to Govt. of AP) is the present president of the association, and R Chakrapani is the General Secretary.

Entry is by donor passes. Season passes cost Rs. 400 / Rs. 300 per head and are valid for for all the 9 days of the festival. Daily passes cost Rs. 100 / Rs. 50 / Rs. 30 per head. Please contact R Chakrapani at 98491-24675 for further details.