R. S. Nandakumar
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R. S. Nandakumar | |
|---|---|
 Nandakumar in 2024 | |
| Born | June 21, 1960 |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Education | Doctor of Letters |
| Alma mater | Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka, India |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Composer, Acharya |
| Years active | 1980-present |
| Spouse | Dr Radhika Nandakumar |
| Father | Mahamahopadhyaya Dr R Sathyanarayana |
| Awards | Karnataka Kalashri |
R. S. Nandakumar is a Karnataka classical vocal musician, composer, and scholar.[1] He hails from a line of musicians and scholars.[2][3] His father and mentor was an acharya of Indian musicology and danceology, Padma Shri awardee Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. R. Sathyanarayana, under whom he studied Indian music and Shastra.[4][5]
Early life and background
[edit]Nandakumar was born in 1960[3] in Bhadravathi, Karnataka, India. He hails from a distinguished lineage of musicians and scholars. His father, Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. R. Sathyanarayana, was one of four brothers who were then popularly known as The Mysore Brothers[6](not to be confused with Mysore Brothers). He is married to Dr. Radhika Nandakumar,[7] a Bharatanatyam dancer.
Career
[edit]Nandakumar has a distinctive musical career characterized by his contributions to resurrecting, reconstructing and reviving ancient Indian musical forms.[8][9][10][11] In 2013, he did unique extensive research into the musical heritage of the Haridasas of Karnataka, for which he received a D.Litt from Kannada University, Hampi.[12] He has revived and performed various rare musical forms,[13][8] such as Gadya, Dandaka, Suladi, Vrittanama, and Bhramaragita, maintaining their authentic shastra-ic styles.[13][14]
Nandakumar has performed extensively in India[15][16][17][1][2][10] and internationally, including in the UK, USSR, Germany, Italy and the US.[18][13][19]
Geetha-Shankara
[edit]In May 2025, Nandakumar 2025 spearheaded a three hour musical concert based on Adi Shankaracharya's works. According to media reports, the event was attended by over 500 people locally and thousands, online.[16][20] The event garnered the interest of Aham Brahmasmi Foundation, the official publication wing of the Shringeri Sharada Peetham.
Research and academic contributions
[edit]Nandakumar has presented several research papers at national and international forums.[21][15][17][22] He received the Senior Research Fellowship from Ministry of Culture, Government of India[14] to do in depth study on Ela, which is one of the most ancient forms of music compositions in Indian music.[14] His other research include significant works on the Mysore School of Bharatanatyam[23] and a D.Litt. thesis on Sripadaraya awarded by Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka in 2013.[12] He now heads Brahmavidya, Mysuru.[24] and presently serves as the president for KCMC, Bangalore.[25]
See also
[edit]Mahamahopadhyaya Dr R Sathyanarayana
References
[edit]- ^ a b "'Kalabhivardhana 2024': Three-day 20th annual celebrations of Kalasandesha Pratishtana from tomorrow". January 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Report on Tyagaraja Aradhana". kanchiuniv.ac.in. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ a b "Dr R S Nandakumar – Brahmavidya". brahmavidya.co.in.
- ^ "The Journal Of The Music Academy of Madras" (PDF). The Journal of the Music Academy of Madras. LXXIV - LXXV - LXXVI (2003–2004–2005): 51–55. 2003.
- ^ "Swaranaada Yatra ends with soulful performance". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ "Seeing new in old". The Hindu. September 15, 2011 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Modern take on classical forms". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ a b "Event Details: Classical Indian Dance & Music at Jnana-Pravaha". www.jnanapravaha.org. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ "Dr. R.S. Nandakumar Sangeetha Rangotsava". Star of Mysore. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ a b Vocal Recital by Dr. R. S. Nandakumar, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Delhi (ICCR), retrieved 2025-06-15
- ^ "Swaranaada Yatra ends with soulful performance". Deccan Herald.
- ^ a b "Doctor of Letters" (PDF). kannadauniversity.org. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Carnatic Vocal Meets Bharata Natyam". indianembassyberlin.gov.in. 13 November 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c "KSP - Creating better world for artists". www.kalasandesha.com.
- ^ a b "Bengaluru Events". Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ a b "Geeta Shankara programme". Star of Mysore. 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ a b "IGNCA Report on Swara Shataka – Mysuru" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts (2017).
- ^ "Aarohanam Germany, 2023 Performances and workshops in Germany". 24 June 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ "Carnatic Music concert by Vidwan Dr. R.S.Nandakumar in Munich". 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ ಗೀತಶಂಕರ | Geethashankara - Musical Concert based on the compositions of Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya. Retrieved 2025-06-12 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Indian culture and music have earned special status across the world". Star of Mysore. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ "Monthly Lecture Series – Avadhānam and Literary Arts @ Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth". 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ "Radhika Nandakumar Archives".
- ^ "Our Faculty and Scholars".
- ^ "Karnataka Music Confederation Trust". Karnataka Classical Music Confederation. June 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.