ATHIRA
Popularly known as the `PRINCESS
OF INDIAN VIOLIN' , and aptly
honored by the Former First
Lady of India Smt.Usha Narayanan
as ‘THE MUSICAL GEM
OF INDIA ,internationally
acclaimed Prodigy Violinist
ATHIRA has an enviable musical
lineage as the grand daughter
of the illustrious Vidwan
Shri.GopalaPillai, fabulous
musician of yesteryears who
belonged to the renowned Tanjore
Tradition of Carnatic Music
and hailed from the direct
Guru-Shishya Parampara of
Sri.Balu uswamy Dikshithar
,responsible for bringing
violin into the firmament
of South Indian Classical
Music.
Honored
by the Legendary Musicaian
Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna as
‘VIOLIN QUEEN’,
Athira has enthralled music
lovers across the world with
her scintillating music.
L.ATHIRA
is worthy scion of an illustrious
family of musicians from Kerala,
who have been deeply rooted
and renowned in the popularizing
of the South Indian Classical
Music Tradition for more than
five generations. She belongs
to the fourth generation of
a family of musicians and
started learning music from
her beloved grand father and
guru Vidwan Shri. Gopala Pillai
from a very tender age.
Athira’s
prodigious talent was nurtured
carefully under the tutelage
of her musician father Vidwan
K.C.Krishna Pillai and mother
Smt.S.Leela Krishna from a
very tender age itself.
Athira
showed prodigious music talent
even as a toddler, when she
would repeat back musical
phrases she heard her father
sing and could identify ragas
.
Adorned
as highly imaginative child
prodigy virtuoso Violinist
of the country Athira has
been greatly inspired and
influenced by her legendary
grandfather Vidwan.Gopala
Pillai and has reshaped her
nostalgia into novel ideas,
reinventing and personalizing
the violin by its technical
and expressional capacities,
taking them to new unknown
heights of impeccable improvisation,
relying on the great Karnatic
Music tradition.
Athira
has also undergone training
in music under eminent musicians
Sangita Kalacharya Prof.S.R.Janakiraman
and Flute Maestro Sangitha
Kalanidhi Dr.N.Ramani, besides
training in Western Classical
Violin from Sri.V.S.Narasimhan
.
Athira
has been applauded by both
connoisseurs and laymen alike
for her original and unique
style of Violin playing.
To
quote Renowned Music Critic
Subbudu “At this young
age itself she has an astounding
mastery over the violin in
its technical and aesthetical
brilliance…Its unbelievable
if you close your eyes and
listen that all this musical
treat flows out from this
tiny girl … The music
that cascades from little
Athira’s nimble fingers
is sublime yet brilliant and
traditional with a stunning
combination of virtuosity
and aesthetic beauty….replete
with ragabhavas and impeccable
technique.”
Blending
of her knowledge of western
classical violin techniques
to her Indian classical playing,
she is also known for her
highly advanced skills in
playing the violin in a spiritual
and virtuoso manner .
Hailed
as ‘VIOLIN PRINCESS’
at a very tender age in the
‘International Music
Festival ,Russia’ ,
Athira have had the rare fortune
of exchanging musical notes
with the likes of Yehudi Menuhin,
Ustad.Bismillah Khan, Dr.M.Balamurali
Krishna,Pandit .Jasraj etc.
Recognition
has been as much a part of
Athira’s life as has
been hard work and dedication.
In 2003 Athira won prestigious
International Historic Recognition
to enter the acclaimed ‘GUINNESS
BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS ’,
for her Unique First of its
kind 32 hour long Non-Stop
South Indian Classical Violin
Concert titled NADHABRAHMA
dedicated to Global Peace
and Harmony as well as a Musical
Tribute to her Legendary Guru
Vidwan.Gopala Pillai.
Athira
is the recipient of many Awards
and recognitions including
‘NATIONAL BALASHREE
HONOUR’ 2001, ‘LIMCA
NATIONAL RECORD’, Title
of ‘THE MUSICAL GEM
OF INDIA’ from former
First Lady Smt.Usha Narayanan
, ‘NATIONAL AWARD FOR
EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC 2007’,
‘INFOSYS –EDUCATION
WORLD YOUNG ACHIEVERSAWARDS-2007’,
the title of ‘VIOLIN
QUEEN’ from Legendary
Musician Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna
,
‘THE PRINCESS OF STRINGS
AWARD’, “THE KALARATNA
AWARD - 2004”, featured
as YOUNG ACHIEVER -YOUTH ICON
OF INDIA by THE WEEK Magazine
–2005 etc to name a
few.
As
a noble gesture Athira have
been actively involved with
Music Therapy Sessions and
Free Concerts for inmates
of Mental Hospitals, cancer
Centres,Destitute Homes etc.
Besides
South Indian Classical Violin
Solo Concerts, Athira also
performs Trans Global Fusion
Concerts in global venues.
