Kavalam Srikumar is an illustrious singer of Indian classical music. He possesses a unique style of delivering classical music. Thus his voice can be attributed as the voice that is enriched with tremendous voice culture, expression and clarity of lyrics. His execution has been characterized as soulful, clear, authentic and powerful. He has performed in a number of esteemed events establishing himself amongst the accomplished singers in the realm of classical music.
Early Life of Kavalam Srikumar
Kavalam Srikumar was born on 3rd March in the year 1959 in Alleppey in Indian state Kerala. He was born to a celebrated father Padmabhushan Sri. Kavalam Narayana Panikkar, famous theatre director and poet and mother J. Saradamony. At the tender age of five years Kavalam Srikumar started receiving his training in classical music vocal (South Indian Music). He has however bagged the honour of being trained under the legendary gurus like Ambalappuzha Sivasankara Panikkar, Trichur Vaidyanathan, Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma and Ambalappuzha Thulasi. Later on he received his advanced Carnatic music training under the expert tutelage of illustrious violinist Shri. B. Sasikumar of All India Radio, Trivandrum. By his educational qualification he is a Master Degree holder in Commerce from Kerala University.
Career of Kavalam Srikumar
Kavalam Srikumar is such a talented performing artist that he has been conferred the first prize for the consecutive 5 years in classical vocal in the University Youth Festival. Kavalam Srikumar has performed in all most all the music concerts all over Kerala and some foreign countries. He has also bagged the honour of visiting Russia and Japan in connection with the festivals of India. Apart from that he has visited places like London, Paris, Singapore America and Gulf countries. In November 2004, Kavalam Srikumar as part of Surya Music Festival visited Europe and Gulf, to perform at classical music concerts.
He has enriched the depiction of Ramayana, Bhagavatha, Goddess Lalitha and Vishnu Sahasra Namam, Soundarya Lahari, Dhyana Slokas etc through his execution. These all have fetched rave reviews and acclamation through out the world. His performance of Adhyatma Ramayana for one month during July - August is telecast every year in popular Malyalam T.V. channels like Asianet and Amritha. Kavalam Srikumar has also lend his voice for Malayalam Cinema like Agnisakshi, Ashtapadi, Thambu, Ilakkangal, Aalolam, Kanalaattam, Panchajanyam, Madhuchandralekha, Suryan etc.
Achievements of Kavalam Srikumar
Acknowledging his talent he has been conferred many accolades like Akashvani (All India Radio) Annual Award for the best musical feature produced in the year 1989 and 1990 ("Gurussakshath Param Brahma" on Adi Shankaracharya and "Parayipetta Panthirukulam" - national Integration Feature); honoured by Malliyur Thirumeni, a doyen in the field of Bhagavatha Sapthaham in Kerala and received a title by name "Ramakadha Shukan" from him in the year 1998; he has anchored for 4 years a very popular music programme titled "Ragolsavam", based on classical ragas, in the Kairali Channel T.V.
Personal Life of Kavalam Srikumar
Kavalam Srikumar is married to Smt. Lekshmy, and the couple has two children: S. Krishna Narayanan and Gouri Sreekumar.
