T. V. Sankaranarayanan

T.V. Sankaranarayanan is an eminent and popular Carnatic vocalist, known for his vibrant music that essentially stems from the style of his late uncle-guru, Madurai Mani Iyer.

Padma Bhushan Sankaranarayanan, a winner of the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi award instituted by the Madras Music Academy, is particulary noted for the easy reach of his voice to the upper notes and colourful dilineation of the solphas (swaraprastaram).

He was born in Mayiladuturai of Thanjavur district in the state of Tamil Nadu in south India. At the age of nine, he started learning music from his uncle, Madurai Mani Iyer.He made his debut on the concert platform in 1968 and then gradually established himself as a Carnatic vocalist. His emotion-laden style of singing has won him a large following among music lovers. He has performed widely at home and abroad and has several cassettes to his credit. In a profile published in the Financial Express, Subbudu, a highly respected music critic, once wrote: "Sankaranarayanan is indeed an asset to the Carnatic music world, where the tribe of good vocalists is dwindling."

Awards and honours

*"Ganakalaratnam" by Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Ayyar in 1987
*"Gayaka Sikhamani" by Bhairavi, USA in 1981
*"Swara Laya Ratnakara" by Ramakrishnananda Saraswati of Sri Vidyasram, Rishikesh in 1986
*"Nadakanal" By Nadakanal, Madras in 1987
*"Innisai Perarasu" By Bharati Kalamandram, Toronto in 1981
*"Sangeetha Ratnakara" By Vassar College in 1975
*"Swara Yoga Shironmani" By Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International)in 1997
*"Saneet Natak Akademi Award" in 1990
*"Padma Bhushan" by the Government of India in 2003
*"Sangeetha Kalasikhamani" by The Indian Fine Arts Society in 2005