Carnatic musician Sanjay Subrahmanyan, who has been chosen for this year’s Sangita Kalanidhi, is an artist who has succeeded in bringing Vivaadhi ragas like Kanakaangi , Rathnaangi and Vanaspathi into the mainstream, on par with popular ragas.
“He brought back the glory of Tamil compositions by Mazhavai Chidambara Bharathi, Subramania Bharathi, Kavikunjara Bharathi and Mayavaram Vishwanatha Sastri. He has an enormous repertoire and has brought to life several unknown compositions. He has brought back the glory of Tamil compositions including from the Thevaram, Thiruvachagam and Nalayiradivyaprabandam,” says V. Sriram, historian and a long-time friend of Sanjay’s.
Mridangam exponent and Hindustani vocalist T. V. Gopalakrishnan, who was conferred the Music Academy’s Sangita Kalanidhi in January, 2015, says, “Personally, it is a great pleasure to see this very focused and committed musician getting the greatest award at the right time. I am also very happy that I am going to be the person to propose him at the inauguration of the conference,” he said.
Connoisseur Cleveland Sundaram likens Sanjay to Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. “Both had tough voices to tame, which they mastered ,” he says.
Vocalist Sudha Raghunathan said that Sanjay is an epitome of dedication, hard work and sincerity.
“His adherence to classicism stands out as a perfect example to young artistes. His thirst to learn and keep expanding his repertoire amazes me,” she says.
