Lalgudi Meets VVS: A Classical Indian Violin-Viola Duet

Join us for Lalgudi meets VVS, an exciting new concept bringing together the two greatest schools/styles of violin artistry in India! The concept ensures that the distinctiveness of each style is brought out in every element of the concert. At the same time, a lot of experimentation has gone into bringing together viola and violin for a unique listening experience. Four acclaimed artists will be performing at the concert: Shri. Vittal Ramamurthy- Violin Shri. VVS Murari - Viola Srimushnam Shri.V Rajarao - Mridangam Shri. KV GopalaKrishnan- Kanjira Vittal Ramamurthy is a leading and popular carnatic violinist. He started learning music from his mother Smt. K. Krishnaveni. He was introduced to Violin by his grandfather Sri. B.V.Subba Rao and later trained under Hosahalli Sri. Venkatram and Smt. T.Rukmini. Later on he came under the tutelage of the Violin Maestro Lalgudi Shri.G.Jayaraman. Under his guidance, Vittal evolved as a wonderful musician that he is today. He has many awards and titles to his credit and has traveled and performed all over the globe. VVS Murari, a renowned violinist, Violist, composer and an educator was born to the illustrious Violin Maestro Prof. VVS. He comes from the great musical lineage of Sri. Muthuswami Dikshithar and Sri. Swathi Tirunal. He had his initial training from his grandfather Vadakkencheri Veeraraghava Bhagavathar, and later on from his legendary father Shri. VVS. He also trained under the doyen Padma Vibushan Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. Murari was also mentored by his mother Janaki VVS from a very young age. Murari has carved a niche for himself in the field of South Indian classical music. With a musical career spanning nearly three decades, since his debut at the age of 10, Murari has been making waves in the field of Carnatic music through his aesthetic musical approach and remarkable violin technique. Srimushnam Raja Rao, a veteran mirdangam artist and an eminent vocalist, began learning the art of playing mirdangam from his father Sri. S. Venkataramana Rao. He later trained under Kumbakonam Sri. Rajappa Iyer. He learnt vocal music from Papanasam Sivan, Calcutta Sri. Krishnamurthy, and Mayuram Vaidhyanatha Iyer. Besides mirdangam, he also plays Kanjira and Morsing. He has worked as a visiting professor of Mridangam at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. K.V.Gopalakrishnan is a very well known Kanjira (Frame drum) artiste. He started learning from his father Sri. K.V.R.S.Mani, a senior kanjira artiste. He later had his tutelage from the percussive legend Sri. T.K.Murthy. KVG has shared the stage with veteran musicians and percussionists. He has been part of many international festivals alongside top artistes from India and has worked with leading film music directors in Indian movies.