Emerging rapidly as one of the most outstanding violinists in the Hindustani Classical genre in India today, young Kala Ramnath, from the Mewati gharana has adapted this western instrument to express the deep and intense spiritual lyricism and power of the classical Indian tradition. Hailing from a family to which the music world owes two of its front-ranking violinists, Prof. T.N. Krishnan in Carnatic and Dr. Smt. N. Rajam in Hindustani music, Kala began playing the violin from the age of three. She started her training with her grandfather, Vidwan Shri Narayan Iyer and simultaneously, from her aunt, Dr. Smt. N. Rajam. For the last seven years, she has been undergoing intensive training with Pandit Jasraj, master vocalist of the Mewati gharana.. This has brought a rare vocal emotionalism to her art.
Kala's violin playing is characterized by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique, command over all aspects of laya, richness and clarity in sur. All this innate artistry and technical brilliance combined with a rare and exquisite emotional quality are the hallmarks of her style.
Kala has performed at many major music festivals like Tansen Sangit Sammelan, Swami Haridas Sangit Sammelan, Pandit Motiram Sangit Samaroh, Sangit Natak Academy's Music and Dance festival, Ustad Amir Khan Samaroh, Spirit of Unity Concerts, Harvallabh Sangit Sammelan, Vishnu Digambar Jayanthi etc. In the year 1984, she won the first prize in the prestigious All India Radio Music competition. In 1988, she became the first ever Hindustani musician and violinist to record for CBS India Limited.
Beisdes being a brilliant and charismatic musician, Kala has also an outstanding academic record. A University 1st in her Graduation and Post-Graduation, she won the junior and senior Government scholarships in the years 1979 and 1984 respectively. She is also an A-grade broadcaster and telecaster.
Kala has won the acclaim of critics and discerning audiences nationwide. She recently performed in the world music festival at Montreal, and the Canada Council's festival 'Rhythms of India' in Ottawa, both in Canada. She has also extensively toured in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Mauritius. Her 1995 tour in the United States and Canada has been specially fruitful for Kala, as she blazed a whirlwind trail across the continent, gaining accolades and ovations wherever she went. Soloing in June last year in Los Angeles, for Pandit Ravi Shankar's 75th birthday celebration, Kala left an unforgettable imprint on the minds of her listeners.
12329 Marshall Street
A rare vocal emotionalism combined with the technical virtuosity already acquired since childhood, it is no wonder then that she casts a spell on her listeners from the very first note.- Susheela Mishra, 'The Times of India', Lucknow
What emerged from her hands was dignified and mature musicianship - creditable for one so young. - Sumit Savur, 'The Indian Express', Bombay
The tone of the violin, espcially in the alaap portion was sweet and caressing and the alaaps were marked by tonal grace and rhythmic elegance.- Amarendra Nandu Dhaneshwar, 'The Independant', Bombay
She left us in no doubt that one more star has emerged on the musical horizon.- Mohan Nadkarni, 'The Times of India', Bombay
A superbly measured prefection marked her opening Behag, combining an insistent emotionalism with an overwhelming technical fidelity.- Madhumanti Maitra, 'The Telegraph', Calcutta
Yet another trail-blazing, brilliant young violinist is rising fast in the field of Hindustani music.- 'The Hindu', Delhi
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Smt. Kala Ramnath is available in the U.S. for concerts until September, 1996
She will be in India from September 1996 through March, 1997.
Contact if interested in more information.
The following recording of Smt. Kala Ramnath is available for sale:
12329 Marshall Street
12329 Marshall Street