U Shrinivas
Shrinivas was born in Palakol in West Godavari district in
Andhra Pradesh on February 28, 1969. As a very young boy Shrinivas was a normal
child in school except that he seemed to have an ear for music. Then one day,
when he was only six years old, his parents came home to find him playing on his
father's mandolin. Inspired by the boy's interest in music, Satyanarayana taught
his son what little music he knew, and Shrinivas began playing light music on
the mandolin.
Subbaraju, a classically trained musician and a disciple of
the famous musical stalwart Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, who had taught
music to Shrinivas' father sensed the young boy's musical aptitude and decided
to teach him classical music. He had no experience on the mandolin, so he would
sing Carnatic music which Shrinivas would then play on the mandolin. In this way
the young musician developed his own style.
A rather inconspicuous member of the western orchestra,
Shrinivas has revived and raised the mandolin, an unknown instrument and given
it a respectable status in classical music. His music acumen has assumed many
dimensions. He glides over the gamut with ease traversing 4 octaves with subtle
deflections and suave certainty. Every phrase, every design falls into place in
the octaval build up of the raga. He can evolve and execute the most intricate
fraction-ridden swara combinations that would keep any accompanist on edge.
Shrinivas has grown into a colossus with only sky as the
limit. " The magnificent music that emanates from the mandolin of young
Shrinivas has the freshness and spontaneity of a mountain brook. The
kalpanaswaras are like cascading waterfalls and the alaps a serene, majestic
river flowing through the plains. His fingers caress and cajole original and
remarkable proyogas of Carnatic music from this western instrument
Nobody in recent times has achieved charisma in as quick a
time as Shrinivas has done. He is a musical phenomenon to whom perfection of
tone and execution come as spontaneously as the free and unfettered flow of his
ideas.
The list of awards conferred on him is
endless. And he is easily the most sought after artist. Between inhaling and
exhaling, he gives a performance. It is also striking to note that he has none
of the trappings of a star about him. Shy, silent, and reticent, he is rarely in
the public eye, except on the podium.
He is already one of the all-time greats.
The Government of Tamil Nadu appointed him as a State Artiste(Asthana Vidwan) in
July 1984. On 1st October 1990, Shrinivas has been nominated the "Asthana
Vidwan" (Resident Artiste) of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam by His Holiness Sri
Jayendra Saraswathi. On 24th June 1991, Shrinivas has been awarded the Top Rank
of All India Radio for Carnatic Classical Mandolin Instrumental.
On 14th September 1992, Shrinivas has been awarded, the
prestigious "National Citizen's Award-1991" His Excellency, The President of
India. Shrinivas is the youngest person who was honored with such a prestigious
award. On 25th April 1993, at Washington, Shrinivas has been awarded "The
Honorary Citizenship" of the State of MARYLAND, USA by the Governor of MARYLAND.
On 1993 he has been given the "Billboard Award" for his CD compilation on Globe
style records. On April 12th 1998, Shrinivas has been awarded the, Nation's
prestigious Award "Padma Shri" by His Excellency, The President of India.
The dreams and aspirations of U.Shrinivas have paved the way
for the setting up of a unique organization - "Shrinivas Institute of World
Musique" (SIOWM).
