The 76-year-old TIRUCHI J. VENKATARAMAN is known as a master of pallavi singing. This vocalist began his formal lessons under his father, violinist K.V. Jayarama Iyengar, and later trained under the legendary Alathur Venkateshayyar, father and guru of the Alathur Brothers.
An ‘A’ Grade artist with AIR Tiruchi for more than three decades, he is credited with conducting thematic programmes based on Carnatic music, besides workshops on pallavi singing at various for a. His contribution to music has been recognized with various awards from several organizations, including ‘Sangeetha Kalasagaram’ from the Cleveland Aradhana Committee, Ohio, U.S.A.
T. RUKMINI has the distinction of being the first woman violinist to be conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Also known for her vocal prowess, Rukmini started learning music from a young age under R. R. Kesavamoorthy. She later honed her singing skill under the watchful eyes of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, while violin lessons with Lalgudi Jayaraman stood her in good stead.
In a career spanning 55 years, Rukmini has accompanied many a great including Chembai, Veena Balachander, M.D. Ramanathan, D.K. Pattammal, MLV, MS, Maharajapuram Santhanam and A.K.C. Natarajan.
A Top Grade violinist and ‘A’ Grade vocalist with AIR and Doordarshan, Rukmini has performed and presented lec-dems across the globe. She has set to tune many Purandaradasa kritis, Andal’s Tiruppavai and Subramania Bharati’s poems.
Tiruchi J. Venkataraman and T. Rukmini will be conferred the Sangita Kala Acharya Award by The Music Academy during the Sadas on January 1, 2013.
