R K Srikantan (b. 1928)

Profile          Discography

Profile

R K Srikantan was born in Rudrapatna of Hassan district in 1920, to a family that excelled in music, philosophy and practised the vedas. His father Krishnashastry was a great scholar in Sanskrit and Kannada. His three elder brothers were being trained in music. His eldest brothers Venkataramashastry was learning the violin while R K Narayana Swamy and R K Ramanathan were being trained in vocal.

After taking initial lessons of music from his father at a tender age and later from his illustrious brother, Srikantan came under the influence of all leading musicians of yore from the south. He got close to the doyens of Carnatic music. Maharjapuram Vishwanatha Iyer, GNB, Ariakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Semmanagudi and many others. They grew very fond of the young Srikantan and were only too willing to teach him.

At a time when the Mysore tradition of music had almost come to an end, someone like RKS came from the Mysore region and largely imbibed from the Madras tradition.

The noteworthy features of Srikantan's music are strict adherence to Sruti, clear cut pronunciation of the text and equal emphasis on rhythm with simultaneous concentration on Bhava and Bhakti aspects of music.

Srikantan has been particularly instrumental in giving wide popularity to the Devaranamas of all Haridasas and especially of Purandaradasa.

Sri. Srikantan belongs to the Tyagaraja Shishya Parampara, Sri Thyagaraja - Walajapet Venkataramana Bhagavathar - Mysore Sadasiva Rao - Veena Subbanna - R.K. Venkataramasastry - R.K. Srikantan.

His disciple list include his own son Sri. R. S. Ramakanth,and also Smt. Rathnamala Prakash, M. S. Sheela, T. S. Sathyavathi and others.

Discography

In alphabetical order of the title

Title	Nature	Catalog #	Music / recording	Contents	Label	Other Artists	Year
Rudrapatnam Krishna Sastry Srikantan	Carnatic Vocal	CDNF 168346		Ragas: Harikambodhi, Dhanyasi, Darbar, Kanada	EMI India	Violin: T Rukmini / Mridangam: Guruvayur Dorai / Ghatam: K Nagaraja Rao
Purandara Dasa Krithis	Carnatic Vocal Collection	KDV 025		Dr. Rajkumar - Jagododharana - Aadisidaleshoda / S. Janaki -Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma / Bombay Sisters - Innu Daya Barade / Vidyabhushana Theertha -Pillangoviya / R.K. Srikantan - Kathashravana Mado, etc.	KOEL	Dr. Rajkumar, Bombay Sisters et al