V Shankaranarayanan is an accomplished artist and an expert in Carnatic Music, a South Indian classical tradition of music. Starting at the age of 9, he has performed all over India and abroad and has won the appreciation of several audiences with his authentic renditions and resonating voice. An “A-grade” artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan since 2002, he has performed frequently in audio and visual media as well. He has won several awards in recognition of his talents and service to music.
Apart from his own performances, he takes time to groom younger talent some of whom are performers themselves. He is also involved with music organizations in India and Singapore in an attempt to spread the classical art form beyond cultures and boundaries.
Training:

The deep rooted classicism that characterizes his music is a result of years of intensive training starting from the age of 6 from Vaigal Sri Gnanskandan, retd AIR producer and one of the foremost disciples of Semmungudi Srinivasa Iyer.

Shankar’s repertoire includes more than 700 compositions of various composers including the music trinity, Purandaradasar, tamizh trinity, Ambujam Krishna, Oothukadu venkata kavi, swathi thirunal, Harikesanallur muthaya bhagavathar, annamacharya and all other prominent composers.

Blessed with an inimitable voice, Shankar is widely acknowledged for his imaginative music – elaborate raga, swara, neraval renditions, RTP’s and so on. A national talent scholarship recipient for 13 consecutive years, he has also had the privege of learning from eminent artists in the field.

Shankar continues to upgrade his repertoire by taking advance lessons from Prof TR Subramanian.
Performances:

In a performing career spanning 20 years, Shankar has delivered over 1000+ live concerts. A versatile artist, he has performed widely in India and other countries under the aegis of several eminent organizations. Some banners noteworthy of mention are Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Parthasarathy swami sabha, Brahma Gana Sabha, Kalasagaram (Hyderabad), Pune Sangeetha Sabha (Pune), Shanmugananda (Mumbai), Tamizh Isai Sangam (Delhi), Rasika Ranjini Sabha (Calcutta) and so on.
He has also performed frequently in leading television channels in India and All India Radio. He also has some commercial recordings to his credit.
Awards:

“Aasthana Vidwan” of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt

Awarded “Maharajapuram Santhanam Trust endowment award”, Krishna Gana Sabha

Awarded the National Talent scholarship for Carnatic music by the Government of India
for 13 years

Awarded the Title “Sangeetha Bhaskara” from Gnanaskandhan Trust

Best sub-senior Artiste (Male), Indian fine Arts, 2006 December season

Awarded the “Best performance” in the Gokulashtami Series, Krishna Gana Sabha

Awarded A grade recognition from All India Radio

Service:

Teaching is probably the best way to spread any art form. Shankar has been teaching students in India and other places. Some of his students are performers as well. Shankar adopts a flexible curriculum that adopts to the needs of different students based on their strengths.

Organizing music programs and fatures help to further propagate the art form to diverse audiences. He is closely involved with organizations in India, Singapore and Malaysia and has organized several events/concerts. Being the President of Music Circle in Singapore, Shankar along with other members regularly host thematic concerts and events. The purpose of these programs is to educate the audience in specific areas in an attempt to enhance the general level of music appreciation. He is also actively involved with Saraswathi and Saraswathi Vaggeyakara Trust that has been actively propagating Carnatic Music for over 30 years.
Audio Releases:
“Azhagan Murugan" - a concert pattern album containing compositions on Lord Muruga under the aegis of Kalavardhini Cassettes
“Tambara Bharani" - a collection of krithis of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshatar along the river Tambara Bharani river in Tirunelveli district.
 
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