Evening with Sai Sisters

H.N. Bhaskar  (HNB) is the son of HKN Murthy. He was only 3 years old when I became disciple of my teacher HKN. He was present at the time when my vocal teacher T. R. Srinivasan introduced me to my guru in the April of 1980. He already had a very well developed sense of shruti. I remember vividly, his presence during my practice in the morning hours of those early years. Holding a small violin fit for his size, he used to sit with me and valiantly attempt advance scales (or sathakas) and quite frequently pull it off.  As he grew past 7 years, he was a regular practice mate, and this continued for the next 15 years whenever I was in town. I distinctly remember one morning when he was 9 years old, we played Mandari Varnam 25 times without let up, to Bhaskar’s mother’s (Rajalakshmi madam) tala. HKN, one of the gentlest among people I know, had a slightly different side to him, with those students who he thought had genuine musical talent and will go somewhere.  He was very strict about standards without wearing it on his lapels. I was one of those chosen ones who got it from my teacher often, but the toughest treatment was reserved for his son HNB. I never once remember HNB, a model child in many ways, responding back.

 After many years of advance training under his father, he left Mysore to study with MSG. HNB made rapid strides and has gone on to become one of the top violinists of his generation in all aspects of violin playing; accompaniment, solo and experimentation in new genre.  I have heard MSG tell me on more than one occasion “what a brilliant violinist HNB is”.

He has won top prizes several times at the Madras Music Academy, once fittingly, Parur Sundaram Iyer Prize for best violin accompaniment. He was recently awarded the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Academy.

 A much sought after violinist, he has accompanied many of the major figures in Carnatic music. Just last year he has accompanied some of them at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House.

Patri Satish Kumar is one of the top most mridangam artist from India. A recipient of prestigious SANGEETH NATAKA ACADEMY AWARD FROM GOVERNMENT OF INDIA FOR THE YEAR 2020 , received from PRESIDENT OF INDIA. Having rich concert experience of over 49 years, Patri has created his own style of playing which has influenced the younger generation a lot.  Recently he has created & conducted a special “LAYAAMRITHAVARSHINI “ with 286 exclusive mridanga vidwans which has been observed by GUINESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS , at Oakland Arena conducted by Silicon Andhra .  Creator of designer mridangam and the new ‘TRIM MRIDANGAM ‘ , which has been acclaimed world over . Patri has also reinvented some of the special LAYA CREATIONS  LIKE YATHI PRAANA THAALAAS. He has created and conceptualised a SPECIAL SOLO CALLED GAJAANA - A UNIQUE CARNATIC CLASSICAL PERCUSSION SOLO . Patri has been conferred honorary doctorate from UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - Berkeley for his services to this art form in 2018. He has performed in some of the great halls like Kennedy Centre and Lincoln Hall, London Royal Albert Hall, Music Academy Chennai, Sydney Opera House, Paul Getty Hall , Thetre de Laville in Paris. He has performed with many legends  in world music in some prestigious international festivals.  The unique style of Patri got him innumerable number of desciples all over the world. He conducts a unique drum festival featuring legends and upcoming percussionists giving them exclusive solos in his festival PDF ( PATRI DRUM FESTIVAL).. 

Patri has released book on LAYA CALLED PATRI SIR.. South Indian rhythms , a unique natural creation of LAYA PATTERNS. Along with many other titles like MRIDANGA SAARVABHOUMA , NAVAYUGA NANDHI , MRIDANGA SAMRAT , SANGEETHA SUDHANIDHI , MRIDANGA NAADHA MANI,SUNAADA SUDHANIDHI & MRIDANGA SURI , VISWA NAADA SAAGARA .  He is an Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Peetham and Thirunelveli Shakthi Peetham . Received SHARADA PURASKAR FROM SRINGERI PEETHAM . The Houston city mayor has declared March 26th as ‘ SATISH KUMAR PATRI DAY ‘ in 2018. Patri continues his journey as a performer as he feels MUSIC IS HIS LIFE…

B. Shree Sundarkumar is one of the leading musicians in the world of Rhythm. Thumping into the Musical world at a tender age of 3, Sundarkumar has been mesmerizing the audience with his immaculate style and innate creativity. Born into a family of Music and Literature, rhythm flows in his blood.

After the initial tutelage under his father, a well-known Mridangist Vidwan Dr. KBS Mani, he had his formal training on the Mridangam from Mastero Guru Kaaraikudi Sri R Mant.

Sundarkumar has established himself as one of the foremost Laya Vadhya Artists of our time with a high reputation.  He is an 'A' Grade Artist in the All India Radio.

Guru Karaikudi Mani, also spotted the thirst of playing the Kanjira in him. Sundarkumar was zapped by the seeing the performances of Kanjira Mastero Kalaimamani Sri G Hari Shankar. He was Inspired to play the instrument after listening to such concerts. Rigorous practice and proper guidance from Guru Karaikudi Mani has got him a place in the field of Kanjira.

His ease in handling the instrument is a treat to watch. He is an inspiration for many young artists who inspire him for the ease of handling and dexterous playing, which is not as easy as it seems, as the Artist has to produce the same laya patterns & speed with one hand. His power, speed, rhythmic complexity, and beauty in phrasing are a wonder to watch. He is also known as the "Kanjira Man".

Ust ad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar - Sangeet Natak Academy - 2016 (kanjira)er famous kanjira artists forming a quartet composing tough laya patterns and concepts presenting it out as a capsule that all audiences can enjoy.

Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar - Sangeet Natak Academy - 2016 (kanjira)

"Best Mridangist Award" - The Music Academy, Chennai.

"Best Mridangist Award" -Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.