Nithyasree Mahadevan is a noted Carnatic musician and playback singer. Her enchanting renditions encompass several languages. She has given splendid performances in numerous events and concerts at national as well as international levels. Over 100 albums of Nithyasree Mahadevan have been released and cherished by the nation. She is also the recipient of a number of awards and honours for her soulful singing and noteworthy contribution in the world of music.
Early Life of Nithyasree Mahadevan
Nithyasree Mahadevan was born on 25th August in the year 1973 at Thiruvayyaru, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Being a proud Indian and a part of India`s vibrant culture, she has always attempted to promote the culture in the form of music. NithyaSree Mahadevan was inducted to the world of music by her mother Smt Lalitha Sivakumar. Smt Lalitha Sivakumar is a student of Smt. D. K. Pattammal. NithyaSree Mahadevan was only 5 years old when she started taking rigorous training under the guidance of her mother. Later on she underwent advanced tutelage of her grandmother Smt. DKP. Nithyasree. Her expert advice helped her a lot to excel in this arena. Nithyasree Mahadevan possesses a unique repertoire, which has been gifted by her illustrious paternal grand-mother Gana Saraswathy Smt. D. K. Pattammal, the doyen of Carnatic music and her maternal grand-father the Mridangam maestro Palghat Mani Iyer.
Career of Nithyasree Mahadevan
From the year 1987, Nithyasree Mahadevan has been performing on stage. Nithyasree Mahadevan gave her first performance for YACM (Youth Association for Classical Music) on 10th August 1987. After the performance she received well appreciation throughout and bagged the honour of the `Best Concert Award` of the series. Since then she has never looked back. In the year 1990, she has won A.I.R prize and she was included as `A` graded artiste. All over India, she has executed in all major `sabhas`. In the year 1996, she has performed in USA and Canada. Apart form this; she has also performed in several other destinations across the globe including Malaysia, Singapore, France, Germany and many more. For the Sangeeth Natak Academy she has also performed twice in their International Music Festivals in Mumbai and Hyderabad. For the Music Department of PSG College, Coimbatore, she has presented a paper on the life and contribution of Gopalakrishna Bharati. Nithyasree Mahadevan has executed numerous concerts consisting of only patriotic songs to commemorate the 50th year of Indian Independence.
According to Nithyasree, being in the hearts of real music lovers forever is an artist`s true achievement. She has also released albums to her credit. To name a few, Vinayaka Krithis, Bharathiyar Songs, All Time Melodies, Gaanopasanam, Nithya SriKrishna under Sangeetha Cassettes; under Inreco Releases Eppo Varuvaro, Iduthano Thillaisthalam, Golden Marvels, Madurasangamam, Sukam; under HMV Rupaka (Classical) Vol 1 & 2; under Vani Thiruppavai, Divine Melodies, Kannan Songs; under SARAGAM Papanasam Sivan Songs, Muthiah Baagavathar Songs, Tiruvembavai; under Amudham Recording, U.S.A Nalinakanthi, Ragam, Sudangam Layangam, Murugan Songs Vol I; Pancharatna Kritis, Murugan Pamalai, AVM`s Carnatic Double Album, Devi Darshanam, A Magnasound Release. She has also lent her voice for films including "Kannodu Kanbethellam - Jeans", "Puyalae Vaa Puyalae Vaa - Chinna Raja", "Kadal Nila Poogum ula - Vennilavae Vennilavae", "Minsara Kanna - Padayappa", "Sowkiyama Kannae - Sangamam", "Thayae - Annai" and many more.
Achievements of Nithyasree Mahadevan
The Music Academy during the music festivals conferred her "Best Concert Award". In the year 1994, Bharath Kalachar has awarded Nithyasree Mahadevan the "Yuva Kala Bharathi" title. In the same year Tamil Nadu Welfare Association awarded her the title "Innisai Maamani". Mohanam Music Club has conferred her "Best Promising Artiste" award. Other titles of Nithyasree Mahadevan include "Kalaimamani" by Tamil Nadu Government in 2000, "Isai Paeroli" by Kartik Fine Arts in 2001, "Padma Sadhana" in 2004, "Naada Kovida" in 2006. Sathyabama University of Jeppiar, Chennai, awarded her an honorary doctorate degree in late 2007.
Nithyasree Mahadevan holds a unique idea about music according to which music is a beautiful expression which transforms people to a different world of total bliss. Music, especially Carnatic music, is the medium in which both the performer and the listeners` minds are deeply engrossed in the "Nadham" which soothes the mind and fills the heart. Carnatic Music is a type of music, which has "Bhakthi" as its prime `Bhavam` and thus it is equivalent to visiting a temple or a holy dip in the Ganga River to wash our sins. She believes that music is capable of taking people to the world of ecstasy and divinity.
