Gayathri Girish
Encyclopedia
Gayathri Girish is amongst the leading Carnatic
vocalists of today . An exemplary degree of dedication coupled with an intrinsic leaning towards Carnatic Music
, has propelled vocalist Gayathri to the forefront of the classical music domain. Grounded firmly in the roots of classicism, her concerts are more often than not, steeped in improvisational features, be it a seldom heard composition or a Pallavi designed with creativity. Initially trained by Sri Vaigal Gnanaskandan of the Semmangudi
school, Gayathri has imbibed some of her boundless Manodharma
from the training under veteran Padma Bhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Madurai Sri TN Seshagopalan. She has also been fortunate to have learnt the violin for a few years from the legendary Lalgudi Sri G Jayaraman
and Smt T Rukmini. Ever since making her debut in 1986, Gayathri has received accolades in substantial measure from both the lay listeners and erudite critics. Her repertoire is particularly impressive, with songs ranging from Tamil Tevaram
hymns and Divya Prabhandams to Purandaradasar
Devarnamas.Oothukkadu Venkatakavi
Kritis, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar songs, compositions of Muthiah Bhagavathar
, Papanasam Sivan
and Ambujam Krishna all find a place in her song lists.
Chennai, Gayathri has given quite a number of interesting and non-routine concerts such as Jugalbandis with Hindustani
musicians, vocal performances with Thavil
accompaniment, one Raga – one Kriti concerts (that call for highest levels of Manodharma) and numerous thematic concerts on topics like Shanmatam and Nava Vidha Bhakthi. She has also given several lecture demonstrations on topics such as “Complex Pallavis”, “Music and Mathematics” and “Structural Variations in Compositions since the Trinity”. She has given performances extensively both in India and abroad. She is a regular performer in all leading Sabhas in Chennai including the Madras Music Academy
. Some of her concerts outside India encompass recitals at Cleveland, Singapore, Russia, Colombo, Muscat and London. She has also appeared in TV shows and has recently undertaken an archival project of Divya Prabandams by Doordarshan.
A number of her live concerts have been released commercially as albums. Vaishnavam, Aarupadai Veedu Kshetra and a delectable Raga Manjari are some of her recent recordings.
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
vocalists of today . An exemplary degree of dedication coupled with an intrinsic leaning towards Carnatic Music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
, has propelled vocalist Gayathri to the forefront of the classical music domain. Grounded firmly in the roots of classicism, her concerts are more often than not, steeped in improvisational features, be it a seldom heard composition or a Pallavi designed with creativity. Initially trained by Sri Vaigal Gnanaskandan of the Semmangudi
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer is considered to be one of the greatest Carnatic vocalists of the twentieth century...
school, Gayathri has imbibed some of her boundless Manodharma
Manodharma
Manodharma is a form of improvised music and is created on the spot during the performance, but within the confines of strict grammar of music, as codified in the raga and/or the tala. It can be likened to speakers resorting to impromptu speech while reading from their prepared texts...
from the training under veteran Padma Bhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Madurai Sri TN Seshagopalan. She has also been fortunate to have learnt the violin for a few years from the legendary Lalgudi Sri G Jayaraman
Lalgudi Jayaraman
Lalgudi Jayarama Iyer is a well-known Carnatic violinist, vocalist and composer.-Early life and background:...
and Smt T Rukmini. Ever since making her debut in 1986, Gayathri has received accolades in substantial measure from both the lay listeners and erudite critics. Her repertoire is particularly impressive, with songs ranging from Tamil Tevaram
Tevaram
The Tevaram denotes the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume collection of Tamil Saivite devotional poetry. All seven volumes are dedicated to the works of the three most prominent Tamil poets - Campantar , Appar and Cuntarar...
hymns and Divya Prabhandams to Purandaradasar
Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dāsa is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music and is widely regarded as the "father of Carnatic Music". Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanaka Dasa...
Devarnamas.Oothukkadu Venkatakavi
Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi
Ootthukkadu Venkata Kavi was a prominent composer of Carnatic music. He lived in South India in the present-day state of Tamil Nadu. Also known by the name Oothukkadu Venkatasubba Iyer, he is attributed to over 400 compositions. These were handed down from generation to generation by the...
Kritis, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar songs, compositions of Muthiah Bhagavathar
Muthiah Bhagavatar
Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar , commonly known as Muthiah Bhagavatar, is one of Carnatic classical music's famous twentieth century composers. He also created about 20 ragas.-Early life:...
, Papanasam Sivan
Papanasam Sivan
Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S...
and Ambujam Krishna all find a place in her song lists.
Lec dems and other interesting concerts
An A-Grade panel artiste of AIRAll India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
Chennai, Gayathri has given quite a number of interesting and non-routine concerts such as Jugalbandis with Hindustani
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
musicians, vocal performances with Thavil
Thavil
The thavil or tavil is a barrel shaped drum from South India. It is used in temple, folk and Carnatic music, often accompanying the nadaswaram. The thavil and the nadaswaram are essential ingredients of traditional festivals and ceremonies in South India.The thavil consists of a cylindrical shell...
accompaniment, one Raga – one Kriti concerts (that call for highest levels of Manodharma) and numerous thematic concerts on topics like Shanmatam and Nava Vidha Bhakthi. She has also given several lecture demonstrations on topics such as “Complex Pallavis”, “Music and Mathematics” and “Structural Variations in Compositions since the Trinity”. She has given performances extensively both in India and abroad. She is a regular performer in all leading Sabhas in Chennai including the Madras Music Academy
Madras Music Academy
Madras Music Academy, or simply Music Academy, is one of the premier and early Music Academies in the South Indian city of Madras, now Chennai. It plays an important role in encouraging and promoting primarily the Carnatic Music south Indian art form. It also played an important role in revival of...
. Some of her concerts outside India encompass recitals at Cleveland, Singapore, Russia, Colombo, Muscat and London. She has also appeared in TV shows and has recently undertaken an archival project of Divya Prabandams by Doordarshan.
Albums and Awards
Awards and recognition are always natural consequences of disciplined efforts and sustained excellence. Some of the awards received by Gayathri include| TITLE/AWARD | INSTITUTED BY |
|---|---|
| Kalaimamani (2009) | Govt. of Tamilnadu |
| Isai Peroli | Karthik Fine Arts, Chennai |
| Gaana Rathna | Department of Cultural Affairs,Colombo |
| Yuva Kala Bharati | Bharat Kalachar, Chennai |
| Kalai Nirai Mamani | Tamil Nadu Government Music College |
| Dr. MLV Award | CMANA(USA) and Narada Gana Sabha,Chennai |
| Kalai Peroli | Lions Club |
| Sahityapriya | Jan Kalyan |
| Youth Excellence Award | Rotary Club of Nanganallur |
| Dr.S.Ramanathan Memorial Award | Music Academy, Chennai |
| Pappu Kamakshiamma Memorial Award | Music Academy, Chennai |
| K.R.Sundaram Iyer Memorial Award for Best Concert | Music Academy, Chennai |
| Price Award of Excellence | Shakespeare Millennium Club, Chennai |
| K.V.Mahadevan Award of Excellence | Shree Bharatalaya |
| Dr.M.L.Vasantakumari Award | Sriragam Fine Arts, Chennai |
A number of her live concerts have been released commercially as albums. Vaishnavam, Aarupadai Veedu Kshetra and a delectable Raga Manjari are some of her recent recordings.