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5 of the Most Recognized Carnatic Singers You Must Know About


    Carnatic music is mainly associated with southern India and is one of the two main subgenres of Indian classical music. It mainly emphasizes vocal music and most of the compositions, even those played on instruments, are meant to be performed in a singing style. Three main components that form Carnatic music include raga, tala, and bhava.

    Here are five of the most famous Carnatic singers that made a huge impact in this musical field.

    1. Aruna Sairam

    Aruna Sairam

    Aruna Sairam was born into a musical family in Mumbai. She first received her vocal training from her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman and her father was Shri Sethuraman who was a music connoisseur.

    She trained under Sangeeta Kalanithi T. Brinda, and others. Aruna performed nationally and internationally. She became the first Carnatic musician to perform at the BBC proms in London in 2011.

    She has over 50 records in her name and has won many national and international awards, including the Padma Shri and the US Congress Proclamation of Excellence.

    2. M. Balamuralikrishna

    M. Balamuralikrishna

    Balamuralikrishna was born in Andhra Pradesh and was raised by a single father. After noticing his interest in music, his father trained him under Parupallii Ramakrishnayya Pantulu. Under his guidance, Balamuralikrishna gave his first concert at the tender age of 8.

    He wasn’t just a Carnatic musician but he also played the violin, kanjira, viola, and mridangam. He performed solo violin concerts as well.

    Balamuralikrishna has over 400 compositions and has even created several ragas and invented a new tala system.

    3. M. S. Subbulakshmi

    M. S. Subbulakshmi

    Madurai Shanmukhavadiyu Subbalakshmi, better known as M.S.Subbalakshmi was born to a veena player Shanmukavadiver Ammal and Subramania Iyer. She started learning Carnatic music at a young age and became the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna and Ramon Magsaysay award.

    She trained under her mother and Pandit Narayan Rao Vyas. Her first recording was released when she was just 10 years old. By the age of 17, she was giving concerts and traveled internationally as India’s cultural ambassador. She was the first Indian to perform in United Nations General Assembly.

    Before no time, she became one of the most influential Carnatic singers.

    4. Nithyasree Mahadevan

    Nithyasree Mahadevan

    Nithyasree Mahadevan was born into a musical family where her relatives were prominent Carnatic vocalists. She trained under her mother and D.K Pattamal.

    She had her first Carnatic performance at the age of 14. She has performed in all the major sabhas all over India and presented concerts in various countries which include the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, France, and Germany.

    She had her first Carnatic performance at the age of 14. She has performed in all the major sabhas all over India and presented concerts in various countries which include the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, France, and Germany.

    She has sung as a playback singer in Indian movies as well. She has released more than 500 albums.

    5. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer

    Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer

    Semmangudi Srinivas Iyer was a prominent Carnatic vocalist. He was regarded as one of the male trinities of Carnatic music along with his contemporaries G.N. Balasubramaniam and Madurai Mani Iyer.

    He started learning music at the age of 8 from his cousin and trained under Thiruvadaimaruthur Sakharama Rao. After that, he went on to train with Narayanaswamy Iyer and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer.

    He was the youngest recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi and has won many accolades and awards including Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He was also considered as the ‘Pitamaha’ of modern Carnatic music. His singing style was emulated by many prominent Carnatic singers down the line.

    If you are aspiring to become a great singer like these famous Carnatic music singers, you need to put in a lot of practice. Train under someone and practice regularly, you can take help from Acharyanet, an Online Carnatic Music learning site, which has some of the best teachers in the industry. You need to persist and put in the hours and you will soon become an accomplished Carnatic singer.

    Author Bio:

    Reema Krishnan is a content creator at Acharyanet platform for Carnatic music learners where they can learn music from gurus through 400+ video lessons. Being a music enthusiast and a history buff herself, she is able to provide value for her readers and her content is well-received by musicians, music lovers, and music learners of all ages and at all stages. She loves to volunteer with music therapy groups and bakes up a storm in her free time.


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