Sikkil Mala Chandrasekar
| Mala Chandrasekhar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1963 |
| Genres | Carnatic classical music |
| Occupation(s) | flute artiste |
| Instruments | Flute |
| Years active | since 1980 |
| Website | [1] |
Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar is a noted South Indian carnatic flautist. Mala Chandrasekhar was born to a musical family.
Mala Chandrasekhar started learning from her aunt and mother Sikkil Sisters - Kunjumani & Neela. In playing style, Mala combines the strongest aspects of both Aunt Kunjumani's clear classic lines with Mother Neela's flair and expressiveness.
Mala imbibed through her mother the flute artistry of their paternal uncle, Azhiyur Narayanaswamy Iyer, and the rigorous rhythmic training given by their mrudungam-playing father, Azhiyur Natesa Iyer. Other major influences on Mala's playing are the expertise and repertoire of noted vocalist and teacher Radha Viswanathan and of Radha's mother and guru M.S. Subbulakshmi, whose family Mala joined by marriage.
Born in a reputed musical family on 23 August 1963, Mala started learning flute at the age of five from her gurus Padmasree Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt Sikkil Neela (mother) and Smt. Sikkil Kunjumani (Aunt).
Lessons progressed slowly until her 15th year, when her parents decided to do go for her arangetram. This was done at “Sakthivel llam”, Mylapore (spiritual guru’s house Sri Mani Swamigal) in an unconventional manner with Sri. S.D. Sridhar on the violin and Sri Srimushnam V. Raja Rao on the Mridangam. Later Mala passed through auditions in all India radio for youth programme where she performed at regular intervals.
It was at this time that Mala happened to be auditioned and selected by Doordarshan Kendra in 1980 to perform in “Ilam thendral” programme (a 15-minute slot)-live. She had played Thyagaraja’s tholijenma-belahari, Ramakathasudha-madhyamavathi and a song in behag. This programme brought Mala lots of appreciation from many great musicians like late Smt. Brindamma and late Sri Nagarajan- reputed Khanjira artiste. It was at this point that late Sri Yagnaraman of Krishna Gana Sabha (who happened to watch the TV programme) gave her the first opportunity to perform Mala's debut concert at the sabha in August 1980. From then on, her musical responsibilities gradually increased.
At this juncture, Mala got the first prize from all India radio for “wind instrument category” blessed by late Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi (MSS) in 1982 and was there upon graded to give regular concerts in radio. At the same time, her inter collegiate music competitions (represented Stella Maris college, where she studied) were also instrumental in building up her confidence to emerge as a successful musician.
When Mala was in her final year, that she had the opportunity to participate in the “Violin Venu Veena” trio ensemble with Smt. Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi on the violin and her friend Padmavathi on the veena. Soon this became successful and Lalgudi mama suggested such an ensemble for concerts. They both performed our debut concert at Krishna Gana Sabha along with Veenai Jayanthi on 1.1.1986. Mala's association with Lalgudi mama’s family taught her many values in life such as discipline, hard work and dedication to the cause of music.
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