LOTUS monthly concert for July 2010

Padma Rajagopal had her early training from her grandmother, Natu Lakshmi Ammal, a disciple of the renowned musician of yesteryears, Kanchipuram Naina Pillai. Later, she had formal training under Sri Gopal Rao, a disciple of Thiruvottriyur Thyagayer.. She later had intensive training in concert singing under the popular musician Padmassri D. K. Jayaraman. She also had guidance from the well known artist-musician Sri S. Rajam and Thivarur Sethuraman. Padma Rajagopal after graduating in Hindustani Music from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, continued her training in Hindustani Vocal Music under Prof. Narayan Rao Patwardan, then Professor and Dean of Music, M. S. University of Baroda. She also completed her Ph.D in Music under the guidance and encouragement of Prof. N. Patwardan and Prof V. C. Ranade, Head of the Dept. of Music, M.S. University., and Prof. N Ramanathan, Prof. and Dean of Dept of Music, Madras University. The thrust of her research work was the Study of Systems of Raga Classification from Sarangadeva (13th century) to Venkatamakhi (17th century)

Lakshmi Balasubramanian

· A good Violinist with more than 800 concerts to her credit, Lakshmi has received guidance from Prof. H.V. Krishnamurthy, Vid. S.V.Narayan and Vid. H.K. Venkataram .

· A young artiste of very high potential, she has performed and accompanied numerous artists all over the country including Vid. TV Gopalakrishnan, Vid RK Srikanthan, Vid. Seetalakshmi Venkatesan, Vid RA Ramamani and others.

· She has received awards and honors including Ananya Pratibhe Award and the Prathibakankshi awards.

· Best violinist award from Ananya Cultural Academy, Malleshwaram Sangeeta Sabha, Gayana Samaja, Nadajyoti Sangeeta Sabha, Karnataka Gana Kala Parishat and many others

· She has a rare distinction of obtaining the 1 rank in Junior, Senior and Vidwat Music Exams.

She is a B-High grade artist of All India Radio.