Śrī R K Shriramkumar

Vidwan R.K. Shriramkumar belongs to a family of eminent Carnatic musicians hailing from Rudrapatna, a serene village on the banks of the river Kaveri in Karnataka. His grandfather, Vidwan R.K. Venkatarama Shastry, was a revered violinist and one of the most respected vidwans of his era. The family’s musical heritage includes celebrated names such as R.K. Narayanaswamy, R.K. Ramanathan, R.K. Srikantan, and the Rudrapatnam Brothers, Vidwans R.N. Thyagarajan and R.N. Tharanathan, besides his aunts, Vidushi Ratnamala Prakash and Vidushi R.N. Srilata. 

Born in Chennai on 4th October 1966, Shri Shriramkumar began his concert career at a young age and has, over four decades, carved a niche as one of India’s finest violinists. He initially learnt from Vidushi Savitri Satyamurthy and later from his grandfather R.K. Venkatarama Shastry, followed by Vidvan V.V. Subrahmanyam. He also trained in vocal music under Vidvan D.K. Jayaraman. He has had the rare privilege of learning from great artists like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, D.K. Pattammal, D.K. Jayaraman, K.V. Narayanaswamy, and T.N. Krishnan. His training under such great musicians gave him a deep understanding of gayaki bhāva—the art of translating vocal nuance to the violin with sensitivity and expression. 

Vidwan R.K. Shriramkumar is possibly the only violinist of his generation to have accompanied doyens such as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, D.K. Pattammal, D.K. Jayaraman, K.V. Narayanaswamy, T. Brinda, T. Mukta, M. Balamuralikrishna, and many others. His concert tours have taken him to prestigious stages around the world, including the United Nations, the Cleveland Tyagaraja Festival, and major music festivals across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. 

A solo violinist of extraordinary depth, Shri Shriramkumar’s music is marked by fluidity, emotional honesty, and adherence to classicism. 

A prolific tunesmith and a composer himself, Shriramkumar’s work resonates with the cognoscenti and the lay person alike. His compositions are regarded for the enjoyable blend of erudite language and dulcet music. 

He has had the privilege of directing the music for special television presentations on the Sringeri Sharada Pitham. He has set to music numerous compositions of the Acharyas of the Sharada Pitham.  The composition 'Sharade Karunanidhe' set to tune by Shri Shriramkumar is extremely popular and greatly admired by many. He has also composed several of his own compositions – in different musical forms, including varnams, kritis, pallavis, and thillanas, among others - on many deities. Further, he has also directed music for several dance productions, television, and devotional projects. 

As a speaker and thinker, his lec-dems on topics ranging from the Dikshitar kritis to musical aesthetics and philosophy are celebrated for their clarity and depth. He has an intuitive and in-depth understanding of music, language and religion, and hence a holistic approach to music deriving from all these perspectives.  His lec-dems include a panoply of insights encompassing melodic and linguistic nuances of compositions. 

His effortless blend of scholarship, humility, and humanity has made him not only an admired artist but also a beloved guru to students around the world. 

In honouring him with the Sangita Kalanidhi, the world salutes a life steeped in music, meaning, and mentorship — one that continues to inspire generations with quiet brilliance.