Aruna Sayeeram is a renowned Carnatic music singer. Born on 12th May 1960, she has been inducted to the world of music by her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman, who was an eminent musician, performer, teacher as well as AIR broadcaster. Later on, Aruna Sayeeram underwent training under Smt. T. Brinda. She is the granddaughter of Veena Dhanammal and the cousin of internationally prominent dancer Smt. T. Balasaraswathi. She has also received training from Veena Vidwan Sri K.S. Narayanaswamy, Padma Shri, Sangita Kalanidhi and disciple of Sri Sabesa Iyer. She has also learnt from maestros like Sri A.S. Mani, Sangita Bhushanam, disciple of Tiger Varadachariar, T.R. Subramaniam, Professor of music Delhi University, who is disciple of Musiri Subramania Iyer, Sri S. Ramachandran, disciple of Chittoor Sri Subramania Pillai. Aruna Sayeeram is the recipient of President`s Award, Sangita Kalanidhiand, Sangeetha Kalasarathy and Padma Shri Awards.
Career of Aruna Sayeeram
Aruna Sayeeram has specialised in the repertoire that admits rare compositions of Syama Sastri and Dikshitar. She is popular for her execution in Abhangs, Tamil songs and Devarnamas. She has performed with the Hindustani classical singer Neela Bhagawat in a highly popular program Samantar. She has also exhibited her excellence in folk music in different languages. Aruna Sayeeram has composed, directed and sang around the world for choreographic production of internationally acclaimed dancer Chandralekha. She has been selected as `Expert` to select recipients of All India Scholarship in music awarded by the Department of Culture, Government of India.
Throughout her professional career, Aruna Sayeeram has performed at many occasions like, Rashtrapathi Bhavan concert, presented by President of India Sri R. Venkataraman;
Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Delhi and Hyderabad; Raj Bhavan Mumbai, concert presented by Governor of Maharashtra Sri C. Subramaniam; Music Academy, Chennai; Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi; National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai; Soorya Festival, Trivandrum;
She has also executed in abroad in many highly esteemed places like, Theatre de la Ville, Paris - France; Radio France, Paris, live concert broadcast all over Europe- France; Swiss National Radio Broadcast- Switzerland; Rietberg Museum, Zurich-Switzerland; Concerts at Universities of Germany-Germany; Radio Deutsche Welle, Cologne-Germany; National Television-Spain.
Collaborations of Aruna Sayeeram
Aruna Sayeeram has performed in concerts with many foreign musicians. For that she has participated at the concerts tour series, Aruna 1000 Names Of The Divine Mother, with German musicians Christian Bollmann and Michael Reimann- Germany; duet concerts with French singer Dominique Vellard-France; theatre Production, Le Baby Blue- A French musical based on South Indian Music - France.
Albums of Aruna Sayeeram
To her credit she has released many albums, like Sangeeta, based on the Padams and Javalis in the year 1985; Kalavardini on Classical in the year 1994; Double Album Classical under AVM in the year 1995; Classical (also CD) under HMV in the year 1995; Classical under AVM in the year 1996; Perennial Melodies under AVM in the year 1996; Classical (also CD) under Abhirami Recording Co in the year 1996; LIVE at Krishna Gana Sabha Double Album under HMV in the year 1997; Classical under HMV in the same year. Her album that have been released abroad include, Chant Carnatique Auvidis in the year 1990 in France; The lyrical Tradition of Carnatic Music under Makar in the year 1995 in France; Aruna 1000 names of the Divine Mother under Lichthaus Musik in the year 1995 in Germany.
Achievements of Aruna Sayeeram
Acknowledging her talent, Aruna Sayeeram has been conferred many accolades throughout her professional career. To name a few,
•Title of Sur Mani by Sur Singar Samsad of Mumbai;
•Best Musician Award by Tamil Nadu State Sangita Nataka Academy;
•Best Musician award by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai;
•D.K. Pattammal award annual music festival, Music Academy, Chennai;
•T.V. Subbarao award annual music festival, Music Academy, Chennai;
•Fellowship by Bhulabhai Memorial Trust, Mumbai;
•Fellowship by Dept of Culture, Govt. of India to outstanding artists in the field of performing arts.
Media has also conferred many honours to Aruna Sayeeram. She has worked with media for a long period. Like she was A Grade artiste with All India Radio and Doordarshan; Star Plus Channel- Ninaad; Music Asia Channel - Aalap; Star Plus Channel - Sur Sandhya; CPC Doordarshan Delhi; Home TV Channel; Mumbai Metro Channel - Sursagar; Sangeet Sammelan, All India Radio.
