K. Shivkumar

Shivakumar, whose worship at the shrine of music started when he was six, is a violinist of a rare mould. Initiated into Carnatic music by his mother, he further learnt violin under the renowned Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, a master of the Hindustani system. Later skills in Carnatic music were sharpened by his guru Tiruchi Swaminatha Iyer. Such vigorous training in both vocal, violin in both Carnatic and Hindustani systems, has enabled Shivakumar to present Indian Classical music to the World. Truly he is a son of all India music.

Shivakumar’s Violin play is marked by classicism, clarity and crispness. His music is free from mechanical distortion, blare, flamboyance - it is resonant, melodious and mature, fully embellished by the traditional aspects.

Winner of many awards while he was young, Shivakumar was at one time staff artist of Ravi Shankar’s "Kinnara School of Music". In 1976 he won the title of "Sur Mani" at the Kal-Ke-Kalakar Festival and he is classed by All India Radio as an ‘A’ grade artist for both Carnatic and Hindustani Music.

Top-ranking professionals like Veena Balachander, Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Nedunoori Krishnamurti with whom he has shared the platform, have unanimously praised his unobtrusive violin accompaniment. Shivakumar recently accompanied on violin Dr. Balamurali Krishna for a concert at Rome.

In 1994, Shivakumar enthralled the world audience when he played Violin alongwith Violinists from six Countries on an invitation from the "Folkworks in the making" at New Castle which was held at different venues all over U.K

In 1997, he was an invitee at the Royal University of Sweden for a Concert Cum Workshop. During the workshop Shivakumar trained Jazz musicians from Europe and elsewhere in Carnatic Music. There was allround praise for his simple but artisitic presentation and the Jazz musicians could get a glimpse of the depth of Indian Music.

In the year 1998, he accompanied Dr.Balamurali Krishna at a concert at The Telugu Kala Samiti in Kuwait. In 1998 December, he was invited by the National Arts Council at Singapore as an adjudicator for the National Instrumental Music Competition.

Shivakumar's recitals are regularly broadcast on All India Radio and he regularly performs abroad - many a times with his sarod playing brother K. Sridhar.

He is also a well known and highly respected teacher of music in Chembur, Bombay and has trained several budding violinists.

CURRICULUM VITAE
1988 saw a hugely successful three nation tour (U.K., Canada, Denmark) for Sivakumar (Violin) and his brother K. Sridhar (Sarod).

From an early age both the brothers studied under Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar of the Dagar School, adding to their knowledge of Carnatic music, a depth and profound understanding of Hindustani music.

The two brothers have played together many times and the result is truly one thought expressed through two minds.

In year 1989 a cassette and compact disc of the concert by ShivaKumar on violin and Sridhar on Sarod was released in the U.K.

With his in-depth knowledge in Carnatic, Hindustani and western music, extensive travel all over the world, interaction with world musicians - Shivkumar has been able to study the intricacies of different streams of music and has been able to integrate them into the Carnatic pattern. For example some of his students in Sweden are already working on presenting their music in our swara patterns instead of the conventional western notes. With his ability to communicate fluently in various languages, Shivkumar has succeeded in establishing to the world the depth and Science of Manodharma in Carnatic Music which is adaptable to any form of music.

While Shivakumar has trained a number of students, some of them who are presently on the Concert platforms are : Smt. Sowmya Ramachandran, Sri. V. Balakrishnan, Sri. Anand Srinivasan, Sri. Sanjay Chandran, Ms. Ellika Frisell and Sri. Mats Eden ( of Sweden ).

Bombay, India
18th March, 1999

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