Amrutha Murali in Auckland and Wellington this month
Venkat Raman
A 2011 review in The Hindu described her as “one of the brighter talents of the young brigade that gives much hope and optimism for the future of Carnatic music.”
About seven years on, Amritha Murali has grown to become a leading vocalist of her generation, with an increasing repertoire of Carnatic Music with proficiency in executing Ragas and complex compositions, motivated by her passion for the art.
Music buffs, budding Carnatic Music singers and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to listen to Amritha for the first time in New Zealand later this month.
The Auckland Concert
Organised by Rasikas NZ and Sangeetha Bharathi School of Music, the Concert will be held at Centennial Theatre, Auckland Grammar School, located at 55 Mountain Road, Epsom from 530 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2018.
Tickets, priced at $30 (Reserved), $20 (General) and $15 (Seniors and Children) are now available with Priya Srinivasan (021-613155) and Dr Padma Govardhan ((09) 6245922). Email: Rasikas.nz@gmail.com
The Wellington Concert
New Zealand Fine Arts Society is organising the Concert in Wellington.
It will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 6 pm at the Newlands Community Centre Hall, 9 Batchelor Street, Newlands, Wellington.
Tickets priced at $25 (General seating) are now on sale. For further information, please contact TN Balajee 021-0599405.
Amrutha will be accompanied by R K Shriramkumar on Violin and Melakaveri K Balaji on Mridangam.
Impressive beginnings
Born and raised in a family that appreciates classical music, Amritha learnt the art initially from her grandmother, who was a Senior Artiste at All India Radio. Like many other eight-year-olds, her proclivities were in a number of other areas including sports.
“Although I did not understand the seriousness of what was being taught, I learnt a few Varnams and Kirtanas from my grandmother,” Amrutha said.
Her parents recognised the inherent talent in their daughter and provided her opportunities to learn the art from many well-known maestros including the late K R Kedaranathan, Meera Kedaranathan, Rama Ravi and her current Master P S Narayanaswamy.
Discipline and Devotion
The Kedaranathan couple deserve credit for Amrutha’s progress.
“They inculcated a sense of discipline and aesthetics in whatever I sang and shaped my taste in music. I learnt a number of Kirtanas and was exposed to different facets of manodharma. My passion grew quickly and from then on there was no looking back,” she said.
Of all the stalwarts of Carnatic Music, Amrutha’s esteem for the late Bharata Ratna M S Subbulakshmi was not only a source of endearment but also inspiration.
A proficient Violinist, she learnt the art of playing the instrument from T Rukmini.
“Music has always been top priority and no peer pressure or study pressure was a hurdle in my career. All the values that my Gurus have imparted have today helped me focus and have given a sense of direction to my music,” Amrutha said.
About Support Artistes
R K Shriramkumar is a Violinist from the Rudrapatna family of musicians from Karnataka.
He is the grandson of the legendary violinist R K Venkatarama Shastri and grandnephew of R K Srikanthan, a renowned Kanjira player. In a career spanning more than three decades, he has performed for many prestigious organisations and festivals in India and overseas.
Melakaveri K Balaji hails from a family of musicians. His Father K Krishnamurthy was a professional Mridangist. while his grandfather Melakaveri A Kalyanaraman was a renowned Kanjira player.
