Name R. Srikantan Role Vocalist | Albums Vintage Melodies | |
Died February 17, 2014, Seshadripuram Similar People M S Sheela, Purandara Dasa, R K Shriramkumar, N Ravikiran, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer | ||
Dasara pada antarangadalli hariya kaanadava r k srikantan
Rudrapatna Krishnashastri Srikantan (14 January 1920 – 17 February 2014) was a vocalist of the Karnataka sangeeta tradition of South Indian music. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1995.
Contents
- Dasara pada antarangadalli hariya kaanadava r k srikantan
- Performing Arts In conversation with Carnatic vocalist R K Srikantan 1920 2014
- Early life
- Education
- Training
- Guru shishya tradition
- Excellence
- Awards
- Teaching
- Death
- Disciples
- References
Performing Arts: In conversation with Carnatic vocalist, R. K. Srikantan (1920-2014)
Early life
Srikantan was born to a Sanketi family in Rudrapatna, Hassan district of Karnataka, on 14 January 1920. His father R Krishnashastri was an orator, singer of Gamaka (storytelling), playwright, poet, and a harikatha vidwan. His grandfather, Narayanaswamy of Bettadapura, also known as Veena Narayanaswamy was a Veena instrumentalist and a contemporary of Veene Sheshanna and Veene Subbanna. Srikantan's mother Sannamma was also a good singer of her times but died when Srikantan was two years old.
Education
Srikantan went to Sadvidya Pathashala and Banumaiah High School in Mysore. Later, he obtained his BA degree from the Maharaja College, Mysore.
Training
His father Krishnashastri was Srikantan's first tutor and he moved to Mysore after his wife's death. Later, Srikantan was mentored by his brother R. K. Venkatarama Shastri. He also had the privilege of getting trained under the tutelage of veteran musicians like Veene Subbanna and Chowdiah
Guru-shishya tradition
Guru-shishya tradition of R. K. Srikantan.
Excellence
R.K Srikantan was an avid attendee at all concerts in Mysore during the era of the Wodeyars. Srikantan during those days was highly influenced by the Nadaswaram vidwans of his time. He was also highly influenced by maestros of the likes of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Musiri Subramania Iyer, G N Balasubramaniam and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer.
Srikantan's singing is characterized by sahitya shuddham (correct pronunciation and diction) and shruti shuddham (refinement of pitch).
Awards
Dr. R. K Srikantan has many laurels to his credit. Here is a list of some of the Awards and Titles in his name.
Teaching
Srikantan rendered teaching programs on the radio (On Amruthavarshini 100.1 FM), where he clinically covered every detail of songs he taught.
Death
Having lived a full life dedicated to Carnatic classical music, Dr. R.K Srikantan died on 17 February 2014 at around 9 pm after a brief illness.
Disciples
Some of Srikantan's disciples include his son R S Ramakanth, M. S. Sheela, T S Satyavati, R A Ramamani, M T Selvanarayana, Amith Nadig and H. K. Narayana. His daughter Ratnamala Prakash is also his disciple, who achieved fame and success in Sugama Sangeetha or light music.