R K Srikanthan
Encyclopedia
Rudrapatna Krishnashastri Srikantan (ಕನ್ನಡ: ಸಂಗೀತ ಕಲಾನಿಧಿ ರುದ್ರಪಟ್ಟಣ ಕೃಷ್ಣಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿ ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠನ್) is a vocalist of the Karnataka Sangeeta tradition of South India
n music.
family in Rudrapatna
, Hassan district
of Karnataka
, on 14 January 1920. His father R Krishnashastri was an orator, gamaki, playwright
, poet
, and a harikatha
vidwan. His grandfather, Narayanaswamy of Bettadapura, also known as Veena Narayanaswamy was a vainika contemporary of Veene Sheshanna
and Veene Subbanna. Srikantan's mother Sannamma was also a good singer of her times but died when Srikantan was very young.
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 Venkata Shastri who accompanied vocalists as a vocal or violin-accompaniment in concerts. Srikantan went to Sadvidya Paathashaale and Banumaiah High School in Mysore. Later, he obtained his BA degree from the Maharaja College
, Mysore.
s. Srikantan during these days was highly influenced by the Nadaswaram
vidwans of his time. He was also highly influenced by maestros of the like of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
, Musiri Subramania Iyer
, G N Balasubramaniam and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer
. Srikantan's lineage of gurus is traceable right to Tyagaraja
of the trinity of Karnataka Sangeeta.
Srikantan's singing is characterized by Sahitya Shuddhi (correct rendition of the literature), Shruti Shuddhi (refinement of pitch) and Swara Shuddhi (refinement of notes).
Some of Srikantan's disciples include his son R S Ramakanth, M S Sheela, T S Satyavati, R A Ramamani, M T Selvanarayana and H K Narayana.
His daughter Ratnamala Prakash is also his disciple, who achieved fame and success in Sugama Sangeeta or Light Music.
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
n music.
Family background and early life
Srikantan was born to a SanketiSankethi people
The Sankethis are Smartha brahmins residing in Karnataka. They are an offshoot of the Iyer Community. There are also some Sankethis in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are said to have left their homeland under the guidance of a saintly lady, nAcAramma...
family in Rudrapatna
Rudrapatna
Rudrapatna is a small village on the banks of the Kaveri river in Arkalgud taluk of Hassan district in the Indian State of Karnataka.The village is known for its rich musical heritage. The village was an abode of Veda, Nada, and Taranga, according to the renowned Carnatic vocalist, R K Padmanabha...
, Hassan district
Hassan district
Hassan is a district in Karnataka state, India. The district headquarters are Hassan.Hassan district was the seat of the Hoysala Empire which at its peak ruled large parts of south India from Belur as its early capital and Halebidu as its later capital during the period 1000 - 1334 CE...
of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, on 14 January 1920. His father R Krishnashastri was an orator, gamaki, playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, and a harikatha
Harikatha
Harikatha , otherwise called Katha Kalakshepa is a form of Hindu religious discourse, also known as Katha storytelling format, in which the story teller explores a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic.Harikatha is a composite art form composed of story...
vidwan. His grandfather, Narayanaswamy of Bettadapura, also known as Veena Narayanaswamy was a vainika contemporary of Veene Sheshanna
Veene Sheshanna
Veene Sheshanna was an exponent of the Veena, an Indian string instrument, which he played in the classical Carnatic music style. He was a concert musician at the court of the princely state of Mysore in south India.-Family:...
and Veene Subbanna. Srikantan's mother Sannamma was also a good singer of her times but died when Srikantan was very young.
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 Venkata Shastri who accompanied vocalists as a vocal or violin-accompaniment in concerts. Srikantan went to Sadvidya Paathashaale and Banumaiah High School in Mysore. Later, he obtained his BA degree from the Maharaja College
Maharaja College of Mysore
-History & Evolution:It was one of the constituent colleges of Madras University and transferred to Mysore University in 1916. It is one of the oldest colleges of South India. It is the first college for higher studies built by an Indian king at the time of British rule. Former President of India...
, Mysore.
Music
Srikantan was an avid attendee at all concerts in Mysore during the era of the WodeyarWodeyar
The Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.The spelling Wodeyar/Wadiyar is found in most...
s. Srikantan during these days was highly influenced by the Nadaswaram
Nadaswaram
The nadaswaram, also spelt nadhaswaram, and also called nagaswaram , is one of the most popular classical musical instruments in the South Indian culture and the world's loudest non-brass acoustic instrument...
vidwans of his time. He was also highly influenced by maestros of the like of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer is considered to be one of the greatest Carnatic vocalists of the twentieth century...
, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar or more popularly simply called as Ariyakudi was born in Ariyakudi a town in the Karaikudi district of Tamil Nadu, South India in the year 1890. Ariyakudi was a Carnatic Music vocalist and is known for his unique style. He made his debut at Tyagaraja Aradhana in 1918...
, Musiri Subramania Iyer
Musiri Subramania Iyer
Musiri Subramania Iyer was a Carnatic vocalist who's stage performing career spanned the 1920s to the 1940s. After retirement from the stage, he remained an iconic figure in Carnatic music as a dedicated teacher and leader in the Carnatic community...
, G N Balasubramaniam and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer
Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer
Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer was one of the great Indian Carnatic vocalists. He won several awards including Sangeetha Kalanidhi and Sangeetha Bhupathy.-Early life and background:Viswanatha Iyer was born in Chennai to Rama Iyer, a singer....
. Srikantan's lineage of gurus is traceable right to Tyagaraja
Tyagaraja
Kakarla Tyagabrahmam , colloquially known as Tyāgarājar and Tyagayya was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music or classical South Indian music. He, along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastry, forms the Trinity of Carnatic music...
of the trinity of Karnataka Sangeeta.
Srikantan's singing is characterized by Sahitya Shuddhi (correct rendition of the literature), Shruti Shuddhi (refinement of pitch) and Swara Shuddhi (refinement of notes).
Awards
- Srikantan was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
in 1979 - He was honoured with the Sangeetha KalanidhiSangeetha KalanidhiSangeetha Kalanidhi or Sangita Kalanidhi is the title awarded yearly to an expert Carnatic Musician by the Madras Music Academy. This honour is considered one of the highest awards in Carnatic music.-----Sangeetha Kalanidhis:-External links:*...
title from the Madras Music AcademyMadras Music AcademyMadras Music Academy, or simply Music Academy, is one of the premier and early Music Academies in the South Indian city of Madras, now Chennai. It plays an important role in encouraging and promoting primarily the Carnatic Music south Indian art form. It also played an important role in revival of...
in 1996 - The KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
government has honored him with the Kanaka-Purandara award. - Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
by Government of India in 2011.
Teaching and lineage
Even today, Srikantan renders teaching programs on the radio (On Amruthavarshini 100.1FM), where he clinically covers every detail of every song he teaches.Some of Srikantan's disciples include his son R S Ramakanth, M S Sheela, T S Satyavati, R A Ramamani, M T Selvanarayana and H K Narayana.
His daughter Ratnamala Prakash is also his disciple, who achieved fame and success in Sugama Sangeeta or Light Music.