ABHISHEK RAGHURAM -VOCAL:
 

The Science building S-100 is where the
auditorium is -- marked as #14 on the campus map. It is the building that is located
along-side the M-10 (south) Freeway feeder road. Enter by the
main entrance on 10 mile road; drive around all the
buildings and park at lot D which is next to the feeder road.
 

Hailing from a family of legendary musicians, as the grandson of the late mridangam legend, Sri Palghat Raghu and with the Lalgudi family name on the mother’s side, music is in Abhishek’s blood.

A child prodigy, Abhishek started learning the mridangam from his grandfather, winning accolades by the age of seven. By 1994, he moved on to vocal performances training under Vidwan Sri. P. S. Narayanaswamy. In 1999, he gave his first international concert tour in the U.S with his grandfather, Sri. Palghat Raghu. Today, Abhishek is one of most heard Carnatic vocalists in India and has performed with several eminent musicians like Dr.T.K.Murthy, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Karaikudi Mani, Trichy Sankaran, G. Harishankar, Ganesh Kumaresh, Mysore Nagaraj and Manjunath, Jayateerth Mewundi, etc. His recent tours to U.S, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, London and Dubai have won him wide international acclaim.

Possessing a combination of virtuosity, aesthetics and intellect, Abhishek has created a new genre in the field of music that, according to critics is “food for the intellect, mind, heart and soul”. He could very well be on his way to creating a new Gharana, something that could have a big impact in the Indian music world.

Abhishek is an ‘A’ Grade artiste of All India Radio and his awards include

• Best concert in the SPIRIT OF YOUTH concert series conducted by Music Academy in 1997.
• MOST INSPIRING YOUTH ARTISTE Best Junior vocalist – The Music Academy, Madras in Dec 1999
• “YUVA KALA BHARATHI” from Bharat Kalachar in Dec 2002
• “ASTHANA VIDWAN” title from the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in October 2006
• “Yagnaraman Youth Excellence Award” by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in July 2009
• “Shanmukha Sangeetha Shironmani Award” by Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai in Decmber 2009
• “Vasanth Shrest” by Vasanta Memorial Trust in November 2010
• “Senior Outstanding Vocalist” - The Music Academy, Madras during the December Season 2010-11
• “Yuva Puraskar” by Sangeet Natak Akademi in September 2013

B.U.Ganesh Prasad-- Violin

B.U Ganeshprasad hails from a family of connoiseurs of classical music & his blazing talent was recognised at a very young age by his father late Sri B.S.Umakanth .He had his initial violin training under Basavanagudi Nataraj & vocal guidance from Bangalore S.Shankar during his formative years.It was under the able guidance of violin maestro Sri V.V.Subramaniam ,Ganesh was able to further hone & nurture his skills.An accomplished vocalist himself he is able to vocalise his violin style with fluency.He is currently the disciple of Sangeetha Kalacharya P.S.Narayanasway of Semmangudi school .
Acknowledged as a violinist par excellence ,Ganesh Prasad is an A graded artist of All India Radio & Doordarshan.He has accompanied legenderay musicians in the field of Carnatic music including ,Smt D.K.Pattamal,Nedunuri Krishna murthy,Dr M.Balamurali Krishna, T.V.Shankaranarayanan ,Madurai T.N.Sheshagopalan,R.K.Srikantan to name a few.His talent has taken him all over the globe perfroming for different spectrum of audiences both as a soloist & accompanist.He has been featured in many commercial CD's & DVD's with various artists & also have produced a violin solo album called as Blissful Strings.

Ganesh Prasad has won many awards & accolades from prestigious music institutions including

1. The best violinist award from MUSIC ACADEMY of Madras

2. The best violinist award from Sri Krishna Ghana sabha Madras

3. Ananya Yuva Puraskara award

4. Title of NADA OLI

5. Title of Naada Vipanchee
    

Neyveli Narayanan – Mridangam

Narayanan is, the most sought after mrudangam vidwan, is a disciple of Neyveli. Ganesa pillai, Maestro Thanjavur. Upendran and the Mrudangam Legend. Padma Vibushan Umayalpuram.Sri.Sivaraman.

Narayanan, accompanied almost all the veterans and present day stars of this genaration. He travelled all over India and abroad, to name a few, US and Canada, Australia and Newzeland, Europe and middle east countries .

Narayanan, is an "A-TOP" grade artist of All India Radio. He is often giving programmes of doordarshan and Radio, in prestegious telecasts like Radio Sangeeth sammelan and National network .

He finished his Masters in Rhythmology from Madras University and presently doing his research on Double headed drums.

He received so many awards and titles, to name a few, best senior mrudangam player award from the Music Academy , chennai, "Vani Kala Sudhakara" from Thyaga brumha Gana Sabha, chennai, Asthana vidwan of kanchi kamakoti peetam.

He spreads his style of playing by teaching to his students who are all around the world.