Musicians
Mahalakshmi Narasimhan (Vocalist)
Maha’s musical journey is a remarkable testament to her dedication and passion for Carnatic music. Her journey began at a young age, with her father, Sri Cuddalore Rajagopalan, serving as her sole guru during her time in India. It’s evident that her father’s tutelage, rooted in the tradition of Sri Vina Varadayya, provided her with a solid foundation in Carnatic music. Upon moving to Calgary, Maha continued her musical journey and expanded her repertoire under the mentorship of Smt. Kamala Kumar.
One of the most commendable aspects of Maha’s journey is her commitment to passing on her knowledge and passion for music to aspiring students in Calgary. Maha’s active participation in musical programs and festivals in Calgary since 2001 reflects her dedication to promoting Indian culture and spirituality through music. Her vocal support for Bharatanatyam Arangetrams and her involvement in dance productions like ‘Nava Durga’ and ‘Vibhava’ showcase her versatility and willingness to collaborate with other artists in the community.
Maha’s musical education under the guidance of Dr. Ashwin Iyer, a senior disciple of Padma Shri Sri S.R Janakiraman, demonstrates her dedication to continuous learning and growth as a musician.
Maha is a board member of Alberta Arts and Cultural Talent Showcase (ACTS) a nonprofit organization that promotes local talent within the North American continent.
Overall, Maha’s musical journey is a beautiful example of how one can enrich one’s life and community through a deep love for music, dedication to learning, and a commitment to passing on the traditions of Carnatic music to future generations.
Mukund Shankar Krishnan
(Violinist)
Mukund Shankar Krishnan is undoubtedly a distinguished Carnatic violinist, and his musical journey is a testament to his dedication, talent, and commitment to the world of music. Born in Vancouver and raised in the culturally rich city of Chennai, his early exposure to the art of Carnatic music set the stage for a remarkable musical career. Mukund’s initiation into the world of Carnatic music commenced at the tender age of 6, a testament to his early fascination with the art form. However, it was at the age of 10 that he embarked on a transformative path by undertaking violin training under the expert guidance of Guru Sri Sikkil B. Balasubramaniam. Years of rigorous and dedicated one-on-one training showed his commitment to mastering this intricate and soul-stirring art form.
In 2010, Mukund embarked on a new chapter in his life, relocating to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Despite the geographical distance, he remained dedicated to his musical passion and continued his training with Guru Sri Sikkil B. Balasubramaniam during visits to India. Since making Edmonton his home, Mukund has made a significant impact on the local and regional music scene. His performances have graced a wide variety of local and visiting artists’ events in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Mukund’s active involvement in various musical associations in the region demonstrates his commitment to fostering the growth and appreciation of Carnatic music in his new home. Beyond his violin prowess, Mukund has also been an integral part of Bharatanatyam dance productions that feature live music accompaniment. His collaboration with dance productions under the banners of Image India Society, Alberta ACTS, Natyam Dance Academy, Shakthi Kshetralaya, Thousand Faces Festival, Mushtari Begum Festival, and the Vancouver International Dance Festival reflects his versatility as a musician and his ability to seamlessly blend the worlds of music and dance. In addition to his musical pursuits, Mukund is actively engaged in his professional life, working at National Oilwell Varco in Edmonton. His ability to balance a successful career with his passion for music exemplifies his dedication to both personal and professional growth.
Adhithya Narayan Padmanaban
(Mridangist)
Adhitya Narayan Padmanaban was introduced to the art of Mridangam by his father and Guru ‘Mridanga Selvam’ Kumbakonam Dr. N. Padmanaban at the age of 10. He completed a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi.
At the age of fourteen, he auditioned for Yuva Vani (All India Radio), got selected, and began performing. Adhitya was also awarded a scholarship by The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Department of Culture. In addition to this achievement, he received a scholarship from the Sahitya Kala Parishad from the Government of the NCT of Delhi. He won the tag of ‘Rhythmic Genius’ in Grade IX.
Adhitya’s accomplishments in playing the mridangam are hugely impressive, as evidenced by the numerous awards he has received over the years. These awards are a testament to his dedication, talent, and contributions to the world of percussion and classical Indian music. The Balakrishna Memorial Award, Bala Laya Nipuna and Soundararajan Memorial Award from Gayathri Fine Arts, Junior Achievement Award and V Nataraja Iyer Memorial Junior Award from Thala Bhakthi and C Subramaniam (former Union Minister of Finance) Memorial Award from Gayathri Fine Arts & Ragalaya Trust (Chennai), Star Mridangist Award and Award of Honor from KRJ Music School. Nada Laya Sudar from Sangeetha Samajam (Regd.) KRJ Music school, Madurai – New Delhi. He was also a part of the Mridangam concert of 108 artists, layamadhura Mridangam Yagna, led by his Grand Guru Thiruvarur Bakthavatsalam at the Nada Mantapa auditorium in Mysore on May 27, 2010. The percussion team performed for 1 hr. 30 mins. It was in the Limca Book of Records (national Record 2011). He has also been performing Thala Vadya kutcheri and Jugal Bandhies where he played the Mridangam and the Kanjira. He had the honour to share the stage with living legends like Shri Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram, Smt. Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar, Shri Guitar Prasanna. In the recent years, He has been part of music festivals such as “An evening Raga”, “once upon a Time” for Asian Heritage Arts, Hindu heritage festival 2023. Lately, he played for a Violin duet concert “Devi Namostute.”