S. Sowmya (born April 16, 1969) is a Carnatic music singer. She learnt music initially from her father Dr. Srinivasan, and later from Dr. S. Ramanathan and Smt.T. Muktha. In 1998, Sowmya co-founded Carnatica - an institution dedicated to classical music & dance instruction, archival, talent search and other related activities. She also co-authored the first comprehensive reference CD-ROM on Carnatic music, Nadanubhava. She is also a visiting professor at the Advanced School of Carnatic Music of the Music Academy Madras.
Currently pursuing M. A. (Sanskrit) at the Univ. of Madras
Ph. D. (Univ. of Madras, 2012) for dissertation "A study of the effect of temperature variations on the pitch of a double-headed drum (mridanga)"
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
Touring
Sowmya has performed in all major sabhas all over India and has presented her concerts in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and various other destinations throughout the world.
Film works
Sowmya made her film debut as an actress in the movie Vaanavil Vaazhkai, which will release on 13 February 2015.
Television works
Sowmya has appeared as a guest judge in several episodes of Vijay TV's musical reality-talent shows, including seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Airtel Super Singer, and seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Airtel Super Singer Junior.
Sowmya was a permanent judge in seasons 1 and 2 of Raj TV's Carnatic music reality-talent show, Tanishq Swarna Sangeetham. Subsequently, Carnatic vocalist Nithyasree Mahadevan replaced her as permanent judge in season 3 of the show, and Sowmya appeared as a guest judge during that season.
Sowmya was also a permanent judge in seasons 1 and 2 of Jaya TV's Carnatic music reality-talent show, "Carnatic Music Idol". Subsequently, Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam replaced her as permanent judge in season 3 of the show.
Titles, awards and other recognition
Sowmya has received several titles, awards and recognition including:
Annamalai Vallal Prize from Tamil Isai Sangam, Chennai in the year 1980
Rajaji Tambura Prize from Tamil Isai Sangam, Chennai in the year 1983
First prize, Talent Promotion Concert, from Krishna Gana Sabha in the year 1984
Kshetragnar Padam Prize from Madras Music Academy in the year 1985
"MLV Award", Outstanding young vocalist, from Madras Music Academy in the year 1986
AIR Music competition prize, Classical Vocal and Light Classical in the year 1987
Pankajam Rajam Award from Madras Music Academy in the year 1987
D.K. Pattammal Award from Madras Music Academy in the year 1988
T.V. Subba Rao Award from Madras Music Academy in the year 1989
"Yuva Kala Bharathi" from Bharat Kalachar in the year 1990
D.K. Pattammal & T.V. Subba Rao Award from Madras Music Academy in the year 1990
Pappu Kamakshiamma Award (Best sub-senior vocalist) from Madras Music Academy in the year 1993
G. Ramakrishna Iyer Award (Sub- senior Vocalist) from Madras Music Academy in the year 1994
T. R. Rajagopala Iyer Award (Best Raga Alapana) from Madras Music Academy in the year 1995
Ariyakudi Trust Award (Best Lady Vocalist) from Madras Music Academy in the year 1996
"Isai Peroli" from Karthik Fine Arts in the year 1996
Srirangam Gopalaratnam Award (Best Lady Vocalist) from Madras Music Academy in the year 1997
Outstanding Lady Vocalist - Senior from Madras Music Academy in the year 2000
Outstanding Lady Vocalist - Senior from Madras Music Academy in the year 2001
"Nada Oli" from Nada Inbam in the year 2001
"Sangeetha Kala Bharathy" from Needamangalam VVS Foundation in the year 2001
"Tamil Isai Chelvi" from the Australian Tamil Foundation in the year 2001
"Rasika Kala Ratna" from Rasikapriya in Sydney, Australia, in the year 2001
"Nada Bhushanam" from Shanmukhananda Fine Arts in New Delhi in the year 2002
"Asthana Vidushi" from Sri Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham in the year 2003
"Vani Kala Sudhakara" from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha in the year 2004
"Sangeetha Saptha Sagara" from Shanthi Arts Foundation in the year 2005
"Bala Ratna" from Nemili Shri Bala Tripurasundari Peetham the year 2005
Srirangam Gopalaratnam Award from Madras Music Academy in the year 2005
"Sangeetha Siromani" from Nungambakkam Cultural Academy in the year 2009
"Sangeetha Choodamani" from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in the year 2010
"Sangeetha Kala Sarathy", Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in the year 2011
"Vidhya Tapasvi" from TAPAS Cultural Foundation in the year 2012
Performances, activities & other achievements
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
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
Distinguished Alumnus, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 2011
On 3 February 2013, she led and accompanied Nithyasree Mahadevan on Nithyasree's return-to-stage performance (after a traumatic period in Nithyasree's personal life) at the TTK auditorium of Madras Music Academy, to observe Tyagaraja Aradhana.
