The ‘Mysore Brothers’, violinists Nagaraj and Manjunath, have been selected for the Chamarajpet Sree Ramaseva Mandali’s ‘Rama Gana Kalacharya National Award-2018’ to be presented on Saturday for their outstanding contribution to and propagation of Carnatic music.
The child prodigies are sons and disciples of violinist Prof. Mahadevappa. Their first concert for the Ramaseva Mandali was flagged off as teenagers. While Nagaraj accompanied vocalist Maharajapuram Santhanam on his debut, Manjunath had played for flute maestro N. Ramani. Manjunath was by default pushed to play solo when flautist Mali, whom he was supposed to accompany, did not turn up. “I was pushed to the stage for a solo performance at the Mandali by veteran mridangists Thanjavur Upendran and Guruvayur Dorai, who accompanied me,” recalled Manjunath with pride.
“Both Manjunath and me feel blessed to receive this award from the Mandali. Receiving this during the Mandali’s 80th year celebrations makes it more special as our bond started from the time my father Mahadevappa performed for the founder S.V. Narayanaswamy Rao,” said Mr. Nagaraj.
The Mysore Brothers have taken part in prestigious Indian festivals, including the Sawai Gandharva SangithMahotsav and the Tansen Sangith Samaroh, apart from performing at the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK. They have taken part in the Bozar music conference in Belgium, Conservatorium Van Amsterdam, and the National Centre for early music-UK, amongst others.
The brothers are looking forward to playing at the Mandali after the award function.
Nagaraj is happy that they will bring in a special raga — Tana-Pallavi — composed by them as a tribute to the Mandali turning 80. Manjunath, who had created a new raga ‘Yaduveera Manohari’ especially for the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar during his wedding, will be sharing it for the first time in a public concert.
