S. Sowmya
Encyclopedia
S. Sowmya (Tamil
:ஸௌம்யா) is a Carnatic music
singer. She learnt music initially from her father Dr. Srinivasan, and later from S. Ramanathan
and Smt.T. Muktha. In 1998, Sowmya co-founded Carnatica - an online institution dedicated to classical music & dance instruction, archival, talent search and other related activities to Carnatic music. She also co-authored the first comprehensive reference CD-ROM on Carnatic music, Nadanubhava.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
:ஸௌம்யா) is a 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...
singer. She learnt music initially from her father Dr. Srinivasan, and later from S. Ramanathan
S. Ramanathan
S. Ramanathan was a Carnatic music singer and musicologist.He learned music from Tiger Varadachariar, Sabesa Iyer, Ponniah Pillai, and Sathur Krishna Iyengar. He received a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, where he also taught.He had disciples who have...
and Smt.T. Muktha. In 1998, Sowmya co-founded Carnatica - an online institution dedicated to classical music & dance instruction, archival, talent search and other related activities to Carnatic music. She also co-authored the first comprehensive reference CD-ROM on Carnatic music, Nadanubhava.
Academics
- II Rank Holder and Gold Medallist in B.Sc. (Chemistry), Meenakshi College, Madras University, 1990
- M.Sc. (Chemistry), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, 1992
- I.I.T. Blue, for excellence in Academics and cultural activities, 1992
- I Rank Holder, B. A. (Indian Music), University of Madras, 1996
- I Rank Holder and Gold Medallist in M. A. (Indian Music), University of Madras, 1998
- Paper on "Microwave Enhanced Reactions in Carbohydrate Chemistry" in Synthetic Communications
- Royal Institute of Chemistry award for Chemistry quiz conducted at the school and college levels
Performances, activities & achievements
- Co-author of Nadanubhava, the world's first encyclopedic CD-ROM on Carnatic Music
- Co-creator of "Nadopasana - My Own Carnatic Tutor", the world's first self-help Carnatic music guru based on Video CD & Karaoke format
- First Carnatic musician to make a Video CD album (Live concert of Mahakavi Bharatiyar songs)
- Lecture-demonstrations and workshops for SPIC-MACAY, YACM (Chennai) and various universities worldwide
- 'A' Grade Artiste, AIR and Doordarshan, Madras
- South Zone Hookup and National Programmes on AIR
- Main concert at the Radio Sangeet Sammelan, New Delhi, 1999
- World Tamil Conference, Tanjore, 1995
- Conference Chair, Millennium Conference of the Indian Fine Arts Society, Singapore (Paper: "Triumph of Technology in Traditional Arts")
- Artiste of Choice - Tamil Isai Nataka Mandram, Chennai, for concerts at selected centres in Tamil Nadu, 1988
- Associated since childhood, with Ramalingar Pani Mandram, Chennai to propagate Ramalingar's "Arutpa")
- Vocal support to Dr. S. Ramanathan & Smt. T. Muktha
- Jugal Bandhi with Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarthy, Madras Bengal Association
- Gandhi Smriti Concert on Martyr's Day, Dept. of Culture, New Delhi
Titles and honours
- Distinguished Alumnus, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 2011
- Sangeetha Choodamani, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, 2010
- Sangeetha Siromani, Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, Chennai, 2009
- Sangeetha Saptha Sagara, Shanthi Arts Foundation, Chennai, 2005
- Vani Kala Sudhakara, Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai, 2004
- Bala Ratna, Shri Bala Tripurasundari Peetham, Nemili, 2005
- Asthana Vidushi, Sri Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, 2003 /
- Nada Bhushanam, Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, New Delhi, 2002
- Tamil Isai Chelvi, Australian Tamil Foundation, 2001
- Rasika Kala Ratna, Rasikapriya, Sydney, Australia, 2001
- Sangeetha Kala Bharathy, Needamangalam VVS Foundation, Chennai, 2001
- Nada Oli, Nada Inbam, Chennai, 2001
- Isai Peroli, Karthik Fine Arts, Chennai, 1996
- Yuva Kala Bharathi, Bharat Kalachar, Chennai, 1990
- Sahithyapriya, Jan Kalyan (Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham), Kanchipuram
Awards from Music Academy, Chennai
- Kshetragnar Padam Prize, 1985
- MLV Award, Outstanding young vocalist, 1986
- Pankajam Rajam Award, 1987
- D.K. Pattammal Award, 1988
- T.V. Subba Rao Award, 1989
- D.K. Pattammal & T.V. Subba Rao Award, 1990
- Pappu Kamakshiamma Award (Best sub-senior vocalist), 1993
- G. Ramakrishna Iyer Award (Sub- senior Vocalist), 1994
- T. R. Rajagopala Iyer Award (Best Raga Alapana), 1995
- Ariyakudi Trust Award (Best Lady Vocalist), 1996
- Srirangam Gopalaratnam Award (Best Lady Vocalist), 1997
- Outstanding Lady Vocalist - Senior, 2000
- Outstanding Lady Vocalist - Senior, 2001
- Srirangam Gopalaratnam Award, 2005
Other awards
- AIR Music competition prize, Classical Vocal and Light Classical, 1987
- Rajaji Tambura Prize, Tamil Isai Sangam, Chennai, 1983
- Annamalai Vallal Prize, Tamil Isai Sangam, Chennai, 1980
- First prize, Talent Promotion Concert, Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai,1984
- 6-year Cultural Talent Scholarship for Instrumental Music (Veena), Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India, New Delhi (at the age of 10)
- Sponsored by Central Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi for "Yuva Prathibha Mela", Thiruvananthapuram, 1987