Classical Music Stage – Bowing to the Cosmos

Kum. Laya Mahesh started learning Carnatic music at a tender age from her mother and was formally initiated to Carnatic violin by Lalgudi Smt. Vijayalakshmi. She has been continuing her learning under the tutelage of Shri. Pakala Ramadas for the past seven years, under the Lalgudi Bani. 

She has participated and won top accolades in various music competitions in Singapore and has been giving concert performances on the violin both as a solo and accompanying artist. She has also been featured in Indian ensemble concerts, including those curated by leading musicians from Chennai, organised by Apsaras Arts’ Indian Performing Arts Convention and performed at Esplanade. 

Academically, she is currently a Secondary Four student at the School of the Arts (SOTA) with Music (Carnatic violin) as her art form. She is also a passionate student of bharatanatyam, which she learns at Nrityalaya School of Dance. 

R K Shriramkumar belongs to the Rudrapatnam family of musicians, a family with a glorious musical tradition. He is the grandson of the much respected Vidvan Shri R K Venkatarama Shastri. 

Having had his initial lessons in violin playing from Vidushi Smt Savitri Satyamurthy, Shriramkumar was trained in violin playing and vocal music by his grandfather Shri R K Venkatarama Shastri. He later received guidance in violin playing from Vidvan Shri V V Subrahmanyam and in vocal music from Sangita Kalanidhi Shri D K Jayaraman. 

His skills were further honed through the association and knowledge that he gained by accompanying the doyens of Carnatic music like Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Smt M S Subbulakshmi, Smt D K Pattammal, Shri D K Jayaraman, amongst many others.  

Shriramkumar’s discography includes both solo recordings and as a violin accompaniment for reputed artists. Hehas had the blessed opportunity of participating in a very unique recording entitled Divine Unison featuring the veterans Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Smt M S Subbulakshmi.  

A recipient of many awards, Shriramkumar has travelled far and wide on concert tours. His solo performances, lecture-demonstrations and workshops  have also been greatly received by audiences worldwide. His musicianship and endearing personality has inspired many music students and concert musicians to seek his guidance and mentorship.  

Shriramkumar's musical creations include many of his compositions, his music for many a lyric, and several dance productions as well. Some notable works that include his musical creations include Sri Sharada Stuti Manjari, a recording rendered by Smt Bombay Jayashri that contains the compositions of the Jagadgurus of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sita Vishlesha Trayam, a dance production by Dr Vyjayantimala Bali and Sarasvati Antarvahini a dance production by Kalakshetra.