L. Athira Krishna
Encyclopedia
Athira Krishna is an internationally acclaimed prodigy violinist from India. She was born in Trivandrum, Kerala
. She has an enviable musical lineage as the granddaughter of the illustrious Vidwan Shri. GopalaPillai, fabulous musician of yesteryears who belonged to the renowned Tanjore tradition of Carnatic Music
whose master-disciple lineage traced back to the Sri. Muthuswamy Dikshithar Carnatic trinity of the 18th century, and to Baluswamy Dikshithar, who first introduced the violin
to Indian classical music
. Athira is the proud recipient of many coveted recognitions including the prestigious Guinness World Record for her unique 32 hour long Non-Stop Carnatic Violin Solo Concert. She is among the youngest Cultural Ambassadors of India taking the rich Indian classical music tradition to the nooks and corners of the world through her violin solo concerts and lec-dems.
Athira showed prodigious music talent even as a toddler
, when she would repeat back musical phrases she heard her father sing; her father is himself an established Veena
Vidwan and vocalist.
from vocal at the age of 8 and was soon hailed a child prodigy. She started performing across the globe as a Carnatic Violin soloist from the age of 9.
Popularly hailed as the "Princess of Indian Violin", and aptly honored by the former First Lady of India Smt. Usha Narayanan as "The Musical Gem of India", Athira has represented Indian classical music at prestigious international music festivals.
Athira had the rare honour to be invited twice to perform at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Official Residence of the President of India
, before two former Presidents of India, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam and K.R.Narayan.
In 2001, as a child prodigy representing Indian classical music, Athira presented a paper presentation on "Violin in South Indian Classical Music" for the prestigious International Children’s Assembly held at New Delhi
.
In 2002, Athira had the honour of presenting a unique thematic 'World Music Night' incorporating music genres of more than 20 nations for the year long Millennium Celebrations in Kazakizhtan aiming at integration through music in the new millennium.
In 2003, Athira entered the acclaimed Guinness Book of World Records for her unique 32 hour long non-stop South Indian classical violin concert dedicated to global peace and harmony. This musical extravaganza titled 'Nadhabrahma' was also a tribute to her eminent grandfather. Athira also holds a place in the acclaimed Limca Book of Records
for the same feat.
In 2005 Athira was specially invited by the Mayor of Menden, Germany to perform at the prestigious international music festival Jazz Meets Classics. Athira also became the first Indian classical musician ever to perform at the famed 1000 year old church at Kaiserwerth, Germany
.
In 2005 Athira was invited to give the Inaugural Concert for the 74th birthday celebration of President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who praised Athira saying it was “the best birthday present he had ever received”.
Athira have had the rare fortune of exchanging musical notes with the likes of Yehudi Menuhin
, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Balamurali Krishna, Pandit Jasraj
etc.
She has enthralled audiences across the world including performances for prestigious International Music Festivals in India
and abroad including Russia
, Muscat
, Doha
, the Middle East
, Germany
, Behrin, Kirgiztan, Singapore
, Kazakhstan
etc.
Athira has also given numerous "Trans Global Fusion" concerts and lecture demonstrations on Indian classical music
at numerous World Music festivals.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. She has an enviable musical lineage as the granddaughter of the illustrious Vidwan Shri. GopalaPillai, fabulous musician of yesteryears who belonged to the renowned Tanjore tradition of 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...
whose master-disciple lineage traced back to the Sri. Muthuswamy Dikshithar Carnatic trinity of the 18th century, and to Baluswamy Dikshithar, who first introduced the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
to Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
. Athira is the proud recipient of many coveted recognitions including the prestigious Guinness World Record for her unique 32 hour long Non-Stop Carnatic Violin Solo Concert. She is among the youngest Cultural Ambassadors of India taking the rich Indian classical music tradition to the nooks and corners of the world through her violin solo concerts and lec-dems.
Early years
Athira is the daughter of Sri. K. C. Krishna Pillai and Smt. S. Leela Kurup. Growing up within one of Kerala's most acclaimed musical families, she had her intensive training under her grandfather Sangitha Vidwan. Sri Gopala Pillai at a tender age. Athira also inherited the intricacies of South Indian classical music from her father acclaimed musician and noted Veena Player Sangitha Vidwan. Sri K. C. Krishna.Athira showed prodigious music talent even as a toddler
Toddler
A toddler is a young child, usually defined as being between the ages of one and three. Registered nurse, midwife and author, Robin Barker, states 'Any time from eight months onwards your baby will begin to realise he is a separate person from you...
, when she would repeat back musical phrases she heard her father sing; her father is himself an established Veena
Veena
Veena may refer to one of several Indian plucked instruments:With frets*Rudra veena, plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music*Saraswati veena, plucked string instrument used in Carnatic musicFretless...
Vidwan and vocalist.
Career
Athira switched over to violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
from vocal at the age of 8 and was soon hailed a child prodigy. She started performing across the globe as a Carnatic Violin soloist from the age of 9.
Popularly hailed as the "Princess of Indian Violin", and aptly honored by the former First Lady of India Smt. Usha Narayanan as "The Musical Gem of India", Athira has represented Indian classical music at prestigious international music festivals.
Athira had the rare honour to be invited twice to perform at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Official Residence of the President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, before two former Presidents of India, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam and K.R.Narayan.
In 2001, as a child prodigy representing Indian classical music, Athira presented a paper presentation on "Violin in South Indian Classical Music" for the prestigious International Children’s Assembly held at New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
.
In 2002, Athira had the honour of presenting a unique thematic 'World Music Night' incorporating music genres of more than 20 nations for the year long Millennium Celebrations in Kazakizhtan aiming at integration through music in the new millennium.
In 2003, Athira entered the acclaimed Guinness Book of World Records for her unique 32 hour long non-stop South Indian classical violin concert dedicated to global peace and harmony. This musical extravaganza titled 'Nadhabrahma' was also a tribute to her eminent grandfather. Athira also holds a place in the acclaimed Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records is a record book of Indian origin. First published in 1990, when the Limca Brand was owned by Parle Group. The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola, when they bought the Limca Brand. The 20th edition of this book was released by Amitabh Bachchan in March 2009...
for the same feat.
In 2005 Athira was specially invited by the Mayor of Menden, Germany to perform at the prestigious international music festival Jazz Meets Classics. Athira also became the first Indian classical musician ever to perform at the famed 1000 year old church at Kaiserwerth, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
In 2005 Athira was invited to give the Inaugural Concert for the 74th birthday celebration of President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who praised Athira saying it was “the best birthday present he had ever received”.
Athira have had the rare fortune of exchanging musical notes with the likes of Yehudi Menuhin
Yehudi Menuhin
Yehudi Menuhin, Baron Menuhin, OM, KBE was a Russian Jewish American violinist and conductor who spent most of his performing career in the United Kingdom. He was born to Russian Jewish parents in the United States, but became a citizen of Switzerland in 1970, and of the United Kingdom in 1985...
, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Balamurali Krishna, Pandit Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj is an Indian classical vocalist. He is the foremost exponent of the Mewati Gharana of Hindustani classical music.-Early life:Jasraj was born in Hisar, Haryana in an orthodox brahmin family to Pandit Motiramji, a classical exponent. His family is well known for singing in the Mewati...
etc.
She has enthralled audiences across the world including performances for prestigious International Music Festivals in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and abroad including Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
, Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Behrin, Kirgiztan, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
etc.
Athira has also given numerous "Trans Global Fusion" concerts and lecture demonstrations on Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
at numerous World Music festivals.
Awards & Rare Recognitions
- National Balashree Honour from India Govt 2001
- Prestigious Guinness World Record Holder 2004
- Limca World Record Holder 2004
- National Award for Excellence in Music 2007 from President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in association with Indian Music Academy (IMA).
- Princess of Strings Award 2006 from Rotasia World Conference.
- Infosys-EducationWorld Young Achiever Award 2007
- Honored with the title of "The Musical Gem of India" by former First Lady of India Usha Nrayanan, after Athira's concert at the Rashtrapati Bhavan 2002.
- Athira is the first and only Indian classical musician to perform at the prestigious International Music Festival Jazz Meets Classics in Germany.
- Leading Indian Magazine India Today rated Athira among the Chennai’s Top Ten Best Performers list in its Independence Day Special 2006 edition titled “Best of Chennai”.
- Athira became the First Indian Classical Musician ever to perform at the famed 1000 year old church at Kaiserwerth, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 2005.
- In 2005 The Week Magazine featured Athira among the Young Achiever - Youth Icons of India along with Sachin TendulkarSachin TendulkarSachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the only male player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket...
, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Viswanathan AnandViswanathan AnandV. Anand or Anand Viswanathan, usually referred as Viswanathan Anand, is an Indian chess Grandmaster, the current World Chess Champion, and currently second highest rated player in the world....
.
- Yuva Kala Bharathi Award from Bharath Kalachar ,2009.
- Mannam Memorial Award from TNSS, 2010.
External links
- Athira Krishna's Official Website www.athira.in
- Concert Review- THE HINDU
- Concert Review - GOA PLUS
- Bharat Kalachar Announces Awardees -The Hindu
- The Hindu News -Infosys-Education World Young Achiever Award - Article at Hindu.com
- The Hindu News -Chennai violin prodigy wins rave reviews in Germany - Article at Hindu.com
- The Hindu News - An employee's ward does BSNL proud -Athira stunned the BSNL family - Article at Hindu.com