Violinist | Violist | Educator | Art Entrepreneur
Vadakkencheri Srikrishna Murari, popularly known as VVS Murari, is an ace violinist, violist and a shining representative of the fourth generation of music practitioners in his illustriousfamily. Born into a lineage of distinguished musicians, Murari's musical journey was shaped by a rich heritage of tradition and excellence. Under the tutelage of his father and guru, the legendary violinist 'Nadayogi' V V Subrahmanyam, and later mentored by the doyen of Carnatic music, 'Padma Vibhushan' Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Murari's artistry wasnurtured by the finest. His paternal grandfather, Vadakkencheri Veeraraghava Iyer, and mother, Janaki VVS, who hails from a family of great connoisseurs of music and arts in Kozhikode, also played a significant role in cultivating his musical talents.
Murari's prodigious talent was evident from a young age. He made his debut as a soloist at thetender age of 10 on December 15th, 1986, at the prestigious venue, The Music Academy,Madras, accompanied by the renowned mridangam maestro, Padma Vibhushan UmayalpuramK Sivaraman. This auspicious beginning marked the start of a remarkable career, with Murarigoing on to enthrall audiences with his mastery over the violin and viola.
With an unwavering commitment to perfection, traditionalism, and discipline, Murari's artistry isa testament to his dedication to the immortal art form of South Indian classical music (Carnaticmusic). His lucid raga essaying is a hallmark of his uniqueness, softly penetrating the souls oflisteners and transporting them to a realm of sublime beauty. As an ideal accompanist, Murariis the epitome of humility and support, elevating the main artist's performance with hismasterful playing. Over nearly four decades of professional performances, Murari has refinedhis craft, mesmerizing audiences with his versatility and artistry.
Throughout his illustrious career, Murari has had the privilege of sharing the stage with aconstellation of veteran musicians & percussionists, including ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ DKPattammal, ‘Padma Vibhushan’ Dr. M Balamuralikrishna, ‘Padma Vibhushan’ KJ Yesudas,‘Padma Bhushan’ TV GopalaKrishnan, ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ TK Govinda Rao, ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’N Ramani, ‘Padma Bhushan’ PS Narayanaswamy, ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ TV Sankaranarayanan,‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ TN Seshagopalan, ‘Padma Bhushan’ Trichur V Ramachandran, ‘SangitaKalanidhi’ Neyveli Santhanagopalan, OS Thyagarajan, ‘Padmashri’ Aruna Sairam, ‘Padmashri’Bombay Jayashri, ‘Padma Bhushan’ Sudha Raghunathan, ‘Padma Vibhushan’ Umayalpuram KSivaraman, ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ Palghat R. Raghu, ‘Padmashri’ TK Murthy, ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’Trichy Sankaran, Late Tanjore Upendran, ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ Vellore Ramabadran, GuruvayurDorai, ‘Padma Vibhushan’ TV Gopalakrishnan, Guru Karaikudi Mani, Srimushnam Rajarao,‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ Tiruvarur Bhathavathsalam, ’Padma Bhushan’ Vikku Vinayakram, Late GHarishankar, Late Palghat Sundaram, Late TV Vasan in numerous occasions.
His performances have been marked by critical acclaim, and his mastery over the violin andviola in the Carnatic tradition has earned him a reputation as a versatile and accomplishedmusician.
As a creator, VVS Murari has explored various artistic avenues, including dance dramas,ballets, music productions, composing, and fusion music. His innovative approach is evident inhis unique album, "East Of Salzburg," which blends Carnatic Classical and Western ClassicalMusic. Released in 1999 by HMV group, this album showcases Murari's versatility andcreativity. Along with his group, NEOVIBES, he has performed live fusion concerts in India,pushing the boundaries of traditional music.
Murari's creative endeavors extend beyond music albums. He has collaborated with MAGICFACTORY, a music production company, on projects for ad films, short television serials, andshort films. Notably, he composed music for the 40th-year celebration of Australian basedfamous dance institution - Bharatam Dance Company's "Mariamman" in 2013.
One of Murari's most significant contributions is the creation of the 'Carnatic PhilharmonicOrchestra'—a groundbreaking concept that brings Western Classical and South IndianClassical music together on a single stage, focusing on blending the two art forms withoutcompromising the individuality and integrity of either tradition. Premiered at the ClevelandThyagaraja Festival in 2015, this production featured over 75 young artists from North Americaand later on at Phoenix, Arizona in 2017 featuring close to 100 participants. Murari has alsopioneered the concept of 'Panchamukhi,' a unique presentation that showcases five distinctfacets of Indian classical music, dance, and Western classical traditions. A standout feature ofthis concept is the innovative integration of a six-part a cappella arrangement into the classicalCarnatic music framework—an unprecedented blend that expands the expressive possibilitiesof the genre. This production has been performed at various festivals, including the Can-Ammusic festival in Toronto, Canada, and Cleveland, OH.
As a guru, VVS Murari empowers his students to tap into their imagination, intellect, andcreativity, guiding them on a musical journey that fosters a deep bond of mutual trust andrespect. By doing so, he not only nurtures his own students, some of whom have becomeaccomplished performers, but also inspires a wider community of young musicians and artists.With students across the globe, including USA, UK, Canada, and India, Murari's influenceextends far beyond his own performances, shaping the next generation of musicians andmusic lovers.
VVS Murari is a strong believer in philanthropy, and his efforts have made a significant impacton the lives of many musicians and artists. Through various charity projects, he has supportedmusicians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and provided opportunities for them toshowcase their talents. His philanthropic efforts have made a significant impact on the lives ofmany musicians and artists, providing them with opportunities to excel in their careers andpromoting the rich cultural heritage of India.
Launched in December 2020, Dakshinotsavam aimed to identify and feature lesser-knownCarnatic musicians from southern India who were impacted by the pandemic. Muraripersonally contributed generously and collected a significant amount of money, distributing itto 150 musicians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. This project notonly provided financial support but also brought hope and recognition to these talentedmusicians.
Since 2022, Murari has been curating Chalakudy Mahotsavam, a special open-air festivalfeaturing traditional art forms of Kerala. This event has involved over 250 artists from Kerala,helping them cope with the continued economic crisis in the lesser-known art industry. Thefestival has been a huge success, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and providinga platform for artists to showcase their talents.
Through various music and art festivals, Murari has been supporting a large number ofmusicians every year, providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents and bringingthem to the forefront. His efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of over 600musicians, providing them with a platform to excel in their careers.
Murari's special curation, Mangala Isai Vizha, has been well-received by the Nadaswaram andThavil community. This event, held during the UNESCO-recognized December Music festival,has provided a platform for these musicians to showcase their talents and has helped topromote their art form.
As the founder of VVS Foundation and SaMaa Arts, Murari has been working tirelessly topromote Indian classical music and arts across the globe.
Murari has been actively promoting young and talented artists from around the world throughSaMaa Arts and the VVS Foundation, providing them platforms to participate in concerts andmusical productions. He identifies promising global talents and offers them exposure in Indiaand North America, encouraging them to pursue music as a serious profession. In addition tonurturing emerging artists, Murari also collaborates with seasoned, full-time musicians—particularly those specializing in traditional instruments like the kanjira and ghatam—bringingthem on concert tours across North America through SaMaa Arts.
Murari also serves as the founding member and State Secretary of Kerala for the GlobalCarnatic Musicians Association, India. This organization aims to protect the interests ofCarnatic artists, irrespective of age, caste, creed, sex, nationality, etc., and provide them withavenues and opportunities for leveraging benefits, both monetary and psychological. GCMAalso facilitates insurance benefits and coverage for 150 musicians every year.
VVS Murari has had a remarkable career as a cultural ambassador, with numerous notable performances and achievements. Here are some of his key milestones:
As a cultural ambassador, Murari has been sharing India's rich musical heritage with globalaudiences through his performances and teachings, showcasing his expertise in Carnaticmusic.
VVS Murari has received numerous accolades for his contributions to Carnatic music. Some of his notable honors include:
These honors reflect Murari's dedication to promoting Indian classical music globally as aperformer, guru, and evident from his work as the founder of VVS Foundation and SaMaa Arts,and his involvement in various music festivals and events.