Upcoming MICMC concert -March 3rd

The upcoming MICMC event is going to be held on Sunday, March 3rd from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Hennepin County Richfield Library meeting room (Address:7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, 55423). The performers for this event are listed below:

1. Arunima Bhattacharya  -  Carnatic Vocal (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm) accompanied by Janani Narayanan on Violin, and Sriram Natrajan on Mridangam.

Arunima started her vocal training under the guidance of Smt. Bharathi Rajan in Minnesota. She then continued her lessons with Shri K. Vijayaraghavan of Chennai. For the past two years, she has been taking advanced lessons from  Shri. R. Suryapakash in Chennai.  Arunima has participated in local events like the Twin cities aradhana, sangeet seva and was part of the Sustaining Sampradaya concert held in Cleveland in 2012. She was also awarded the Carnatic Star of MN award in 2011 and first place in kriti category in 2012. Arunima is an active Girl Scout Cadette and loves reading and robotics.
She would sincerely like to thank Sriram Natarajan and Janani Narayan who will be accompanying her and MICMC for providing her with an opportunity to perform. 

More information about the accompanying artists here -

http://micmcnotes.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcoming-event-on-february-5-2012.html

2. Guruprasad Kathavate - Carnatic Flute (3:00 pm - 4:00 pm) accompanied by Ethirajan Ramanujam on Mridangam.
Guru is a Student of Vidwan A P Sarvotham (Bangalore). He has been learning since about 12 years. He passed both Junior and Senior level music exams with distinction conducted by Karnataka Music board and received scholarship from Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya academy. Guru has performed many concerts in Bangalore.

Ethirajan Ramanujam, has been learning Mridangam, a south Indian percussion instrument, for the past 14 years. A software engineer by profession, Ethirajan is currently working in Wipro Technologies (USA). On the musical side, he is the Vice-President of the Youth Association of Classical Music (YACM, Chennai).

Hailing from the Pudhukottai school of Mridangam, Ethirajan had the initial training from Ramanathapuram Sri. M.N. Kandaswamy Pillai. Later, he had the initial and advanced training from Sri. Sivashankara Reddy (disciple of Sri. M.N.Kandaswamy Pillai). Currently he has the versatile training from Sangita Kalanidhi Sri. T.K. Murthy (Tanjore School of Mridangam). Ethirajan has a total of more than 1000 concerts to his list of concerts, all over India and Abroad. He had a musical tour to United Kingdom, in the year 2006. He has played in many prestigious Sabhas like The Music Academy, Mylapore Fine Arts, Krishna Gana Sabha, Karthik Fine Arts, RR sabha, Raga Sudha, Narada Gana Sabha (to name a few) in Chennai.For more details please visit http://kutcheris.com/artist.php?id=435

Upcoming Concert on September 23rd

The upcoming event of MICMC is going to be held on Sunday, September 23rd from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Hennepin County Augsburg Park Library meeting room (Address:7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, 55423). The performers for this event are listed below:

1. Aditya Vasavan  -  Carnatic Vocal (1:00 pm - 1:35 pm) 

Aditya Vasavan  has been learning Carnatic music from Guru Ramanamma (senior well known vocalist and violinist in the Twin Cities) from his childhood but with a more sustained effort in the last couple of years. He has been very fortunate to have her as his teacher and an integral part of his family. He is the grandson of Smt. Nirmala Parthasarathy (an A grade veena artist for All India Radio and Doordharshan in Chennai).

Aditya has been an enthusiastic and keen listener of concerts held by IMSOM and MICMC. He has an eclectic interest in music; his interests range from jazz to classical music. Aditya also plays tennis for his school and loves art and reading.

He is excited about having an opportunity to perform with violin and percussion support. He would like to sincerely thank Sri. Balaji Chandran and Jeyani Narayanan for agreeing to accompany him on his very first concert  and MICMC for giving him an opportunity to perform.

Aditya will be accompanied by Jeyani Narayanan - Violin, and Balaji Chandran - Mridangam  

For more information on accompanying artistes please use the link below. 

http://micmcnotes.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcoming-event-on-february-5-2012.html

2. Subha Giri - Carnatic Vocal (1:45 pm - 3:00 pm) 

Bio will be posted soon!

July 15, 2012 - Carnatic Vocal

The next event for MICMC is scheduled for Sunday, July 15, 2012.

Venue:
Hennepin County Library - Ridgedale
RHR meeting room
12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305

Schedule:
2PM to 3.15PM -
Sriram Pidaparti - Carnatic Vocal
Accompanied by:
Janani Narayanan - Violin
Sriram Natarajan - Mridangam
Balaji Chandran - Ghatam

3.20PM to 4.15PM -
Sarada Ganesh - Carnatic vocal


About the artists:

Sriram Pidaparti is a music enthusiast and an avid listener. Starting at age 21, he had music training off and on. He learned music from Smt. Manda Ramanamma in the late 90's. He participates in Twin Cities Aradhana and other community events. Over the last few years, Sriram has been composing kritis and bhajans, a few of which have been rendered by professional musicians.

Sarada Ganesh - from the age of 10, Sarada Ganesh aka Veena started learning Carnatic Classical music from her grandfather, Sri.R.KrishnaIyer with whom she learnt for 3 years. Then Sarada continued her training with Mrs.Jayasree Sundaresan for 2 more years. She won several prizes in College culturals for light music and Classical Music. After a break of 8 years, she is presently learning music from Smt. Pallavi Dharwada. Sarada recently won first prize in carnatic star 2011 in the devotional krithi category conducted by SV temple, Minnesota.

More information about the accompanying artists here -

http://micmcnotes.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcoming-event-on-february-5-2012.html

Upcoming Event on June 17th

The upcoming event is scheduled on Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Venue: 7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
List of the performers is given below:
2:00 pm to 2:45 pm Venkat Devulapalli (Carnatic Vocal)  

Accompaniment provided by Sri Sriram Natrajan on Mridangam and Sandhya Ramachandran on Violin

Bios of the performers:
Venkat Devulapalli is learning Carnatic vocal from Shr Vinod Krishnan and light music from Shri Pardha Saradhi Nemani. He had initial vocal Carnatic music training from Smt Krishna Veni. Venkat has performed in many light music concerts in India and in Minneapolis. He also performed Carnatic vocal in local events like Annamayya Jayanthi, Muthuswami Deekshithar day, Sangeetha Seva etc. Music is his passion and he actively participates in various music competitions and won prizes. Recently won special prize in keerthanam category in Carnatic Star of Minnesota 2012 competition.

Upcoming Event on February 5, 2012

The upcoming event is scheduled on Sunday, February 5, 2012.
Venue: 7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
List of the performers is given below:
2:00 pm to 2:45 pm Manjusha Benadikar (Hindustani Vocal) accompanied by Subhabrata Ganguli on Tabla

3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Janani Narayan and Jeyani Narayan (Carnatic Violin Duet) accompanied by Sriram Natrajan on Mridangam and Balaji Chandran on Ghatam

Bios of the performers:
Manjusha Benadikar learnt from her father Shri Sharad Benadikar, Mrs Manik Bhide and Pt Arun Dravid in LA.  She is still learning from Pt Arun Dravid following the Jaipur Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music. She started learning at a very young age. Manjusha has a Sangeeth visharad degree from Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya.

Subhabrata Ganguli has been playing tabla in the Twincities area for the last 10-12 years. He has accompanied various solo artists and has also been involved with several musical bands. In addition to percussion instruments, he also enjoys playing the keyboard and the saxophone.

Janani Narayan and Jeyani Narayan are learning Carnatic music on the violin from Shri Mullaivasal Chandramouli, an accomplished violinist in Chennai, India. They had their initial vocal Carnatic music training from Smt. Bharati, Smt. Ramanamma and Smt. Nirmala Rajashekar.

Janani and Jeyani have performed mini concerts in India and for MICMC(Minneapolis), Sankara TV(India) and Geetmala on TPT. They have recorded a program on Carnatic Music for “World Music” section of a summer music camp organized by Minneapolis School District. They were selected to play Carnatic music in the Honors Recital( 2011) at MacPhail Center for music which involved a competitive audition. Janani and Jeyani have participated in many community events including the twincities aradhana, Oothukaadu venkatakavi day and Chicago thyagaraja utsavam, Both have won awards in music competitions such as the Minnesota Carnatic Star. Jeyani was awarded Carnatic Star of Minnesota (instrumental), 2010.
Janani and Jeyani also study western classical music on violin. They play for Minnesota Youth Symphonies and pit orchestra in musicals. As members of Modern Music Masters (Tri-M, similar to National Honor Society, focusing on music), they volunteer regularly teaching violin at Valley Crossing Community School to elementary school children in addition to hosting and organizing concert for charity events. Janani and Jeyani are grateful to organizers of MICMC for their efforts to promote local talents in the twin cities and for the opportunity to perform.


Sriram Natarajan on the Mridangam Sriram is a versatile Mridangam artiste and collaborative world musician. Sriram started training on the Mridangam at the age of 9, under the veteran Guru Sri K V Maniappan in Mumbai. Presently under the able guidance of Tanjavur Sri Murugaboopathy, Sriram has had advanced training from Sangeetha Kalanidhi Padma Sri Palghat Raghu. His style of accompaniment is very adaptive to both instrumental and vocal music. Sriram regularly accompanies renowned and upcoming artistes in India during the December music season in Chennai. He travels around the US and has performed at several venues in the cities of Chicago, Madison, Boston, Columbus, Philadelphia and across the state of Minnesota. His world music collaborations include the St Olaf Jazz Band, Northfield MN, Kora Artiste Mamdou Diabate at the Festival of Nations in St Paul MN and the Brass Kings. Sriram is a resident of Apple Valley MN and is the founder of the Layyasaaram school of music.

Balaji Chandran on Ghatam Balaji Chandran started his Carnatic percussion studies in Mridhangam under Sri.Kovai Mani and Sri. Kadayanallur Narayana Iyer. He is a disciple of Sri.Ghatam V.Suresh from whom he learns Ghatam for the past 5 years. He brings with him an energetic style of playing the Ghatam bestowed upon him by his guru. He has provided his percussive support to many artists in America and in India. He considers himself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to lend support to stalwarts like Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri.R.K Srikantan, Prof. Ramakanth, Isai Peroli Sri. Neyveli Santhanagopalan and stars of current generation like Smt. Nirmala Rajasekar, Smt. Sikkil Mala Chandrashekar, Sri Suryaprakash, Sri. Mullaivasal Chandramauli, Sri. Mysore Chandan Kumar. He has been part of the Aradhana celebrations in Minnesota, USA for the past 8 years, and has performed in many venues across America. He also features in the first Carnatic Audio album released by an Independent American record label Innova Records called “Song of the Veena”. He was part of an ensemble that won the top honors in the recently conducted carnatic music competition held by “International society of Laya awareness” in Chennai. He has collaborated with St.Olaf Collage Jazz band and “Brass Kings” an American Blue Grass Jazz band. He is also adept in playing the Kanjira and has also lent his support in both Mridhangam and Ghatam for Bharathanatyam Arengetrams.

Hindustani Sarod Recital on September 11

The upcoming event is scheduled on Sunday, September 17, 2011.
Venue: 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305-1909

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Dr.Praful Kelkar(Hindustani Sarod)
Accompanied by Dr.Pavan Allalaghatta on Tabla

Dr.Praful Kelkar grew up in a musical family and learnt tabla & sitar for a number of years. He has been studying Sarod under the guidance of renowned Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. He has played concerts at various venues in the US and in India including for IMSOM.

Upcoming Event on July 17

The upcoming event is scheduled on Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Venue: 7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
List of the performers is given below:
2:00 pm to 2:45 pm Sandhya Ramachandran (Carnatic Violin) 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm Vijay Ramanathan (Carnatic Vocal)

Accompaniments provided by Sri Sriram Natrajan on Mridangam and Sri Balaji Chandran on Ghatam

Bios of the performers:
Sandhya Ramachandran is a 13 year old with interests in Indian and Western Classical music. She has been studying Carnatic violin for five years with Sri Mullaivasal Chandramouli, an accomplished violinist in Chennai, India. Sandhya will spend this August in India studying with him. She also has been a student of Carnatic vocal music for the past six years with Smt. Nirmala Rajashekar at the Naadha Rasa Center for Music. She has participated in many community events including the annual Aradhana, the Festival of Nations, and events at The Minneapolis Institute of the Arts and local libraries. She has also won awards in Carnatic music competitions such as the Minnesota Carnatic Star for violin organized by the Carnatica Brothers, and Vibha Taal.

Sandhya has been learning Western Classical violin since she was four years old and is now is studying with Mr. Vali Phillips of the Minnesota Orchestra. She has played Irish and American fiddle and won several awards including the Laura Ingalls Fiddle Competition, the Rochester Fiddle contest, and the Grand Prize at the Minnesota Feis. She attends school at the St. Paul Academy, and will be entering upper school in the fall. She has arranged and played the music for her school's production of The Secret Garden and sings in her school Choir.

She is grateful to Sri Sriram Natarajan and Sri Balaji Chandran for accompanying her and MICMC for the opportunity to perform. Sandhya also thanks her Appa, Amma, and little brother Arjun for helping her with her practice.

Vijay Ramanathan Vijay Ramanathan is a highly accomplished vocalist and composer based in Eden Prairie, MN. He has received extensive training in Carnatic music from his mother, Leela Ramanathan, and has performed in numerous classical and light music concerts. He was a featured performer in the local television program, "Geetmala," in 2010 and 2011. Vijay also composes music for stage, film and television, and operates his own recording center, DigiRaga Studios. Vijay has released a music album, "Namah", a collection of Hindu devotional songs.

Sriram Natarajan on the Mridangam Sriram is a versatile Mridangam artiste and collaborative world musician. Sriram started training on the Mridangam at the age of 9, under the veteran Guru Sri K V Maniappan in Mumbai. Presently under the able guidance of Tanjavur Sri Murugaboopathy, Sriram has had advanced training from Sangeetha Kalanidhi Padma Sri Palghat Raghu. His style of accompaniment is very adaptive to both instrumental and vocal music. Sriram regularly accompanies renowned and upcoming artistes in India during the December music season in Chennai. He travels around the US and has performed at several venues in the cities of Chicago, Madison, Boston, Columbus, Philadelphia and across the state of Minnesota. His world music collaborations include the St Olaf Jazz Band, Northfield MN, Kora Artiste Mamdou Diabate at the Festival of Nations in St Paul MN and the Brass Kings. Sriram is a resident of Apple Valley MN and is the founder of the Layyasaaram school of music.

Balaji Chandran on Ghatam Balaji Chandran started his Carnatic percussion studies in Mridhangam under Sri.Kovai Mani and Sri. Kadayanallur Narayana Iyer. He is a disciple of Sri.Ghatam V.Suresh from whom he learns Ghatam for the past 5 years. He brings with him an energetic style of playing the Ghatam bestowed upon him by his guru. He has provided his percussive support to many artists in America and in India. He considers himself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to lend support to stalwarts like Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri.R.K Srikantan, Prof. Ramakanth, Isai Peroli Sri. Neyveli Santhanagopalan and stars of current generation like Smt. Nirmala Rajasekar, Smt. Sikkil Mala Chandrashekar, Sri Suryaprakash, Sri. Mullaivasal Chandramauli, Sri. Mysore Chandan Kumar. He has been part of the Aradhana celebrations in Minnesota, USA for the past 8 years, and has performed in many venues across America. He also features in the first Carnatic Audio album released by an Independent American record label Innova Records called “Song of the Veena”. He was part of an ensemble that won the top honors in the recently conducted carnatic music competition held by “International society of Laya awareness” in Chennai. He has collaborated with St.Olaf Collage Jazz band and “Brass Kings” an American Blue Grass Jazz band. He is also adept in playing the Kanjira and has also lent his support in both Mridhangam and Ghatam for Bharathanatyam Arengetrams.