South Indian Classical Violin Solo Concert and Contemporary Music of Mr.Mohan Narayanan by violinist L.ATHIRA KRISHNA 
 

Athira – child prodigy and India's young violin virtuoso with titles like "The Musical Gem of India", and "The Queen of Indian Violin" hails from a renowned music family of Kerala.  

Athira is the grand daughter of the legendary musician Vidwan Sri. Gopala Pillai who belongd to the Guru-Shishya Parampara of Baluswamy Dikshithar who is believed to be the pioneer in introducing violin to Indian Classical Music. Also the MASTER - DISCIPLE TRADITION of Sri. GOPALA  PILLAI can be traced back to the famous Trinity of South Indian Classical Music namely THYAGARAJA, MUTHUSWAMY DIKSHITHAR and SHYAMASHASTHRI which is very rare indeed among musicians. 

Athira is the daughter of musician Sri.Krishna Pillai and Smt.Leela- Kurup.  Her prodigious talent was evident even at the early age of 2, when she could repeat musical phrases that she heard her father sing. By the tender age of 3, she could recognize ragas. Initially Athira started her vocal training from her father and at the age of 8 switched over to violin under her father's tutelage. Athira gave her first solo concert the very next year at the young age of 9 (a very rare recognition unmatched by others) which took the music world by storm and had never since looked back. She has become one of the most sought after and admired young Indian violin virtuosos.  

Athira has been greatly inspired and influenced by the old maestro and has reshaped her nostalgia into novel ideas, reinventing and perosnalising the violin by its technical and expressional capacities, taking them to new unknown heights of impeccable improvisation, relying on the tradition like never ever done before. 

The Indian Govt. honored her with "NATIONAL BALASHREE HONOUR – 2001" (known as Padmasri for children) for being the "BEST OUTSTANDING CREATIVE CHILD MUSICIAN OF INDIA", at the tender age of 13.  Former First Lady of India H.E.Smt.USHA NARAYANAN honored her with the title of "THE MUSICAL GEM OF INDIA" after listening to her concert at the RASHTRAPATHI BHAVAN.  

She has performed extensively, representing India in numerous INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALS held in  Russia, Khirgizthan, Germany, Behrain, Singapore, Muscat, Middle East, Kazakhisthan, Doha, etc. She was invited to give a concert for the weeklong 74th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OF HONOURABLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA H.E. DR.A.P.J.ABDUL KALAM AT THE RASHTRAPATHI BHAVAN, New Delhi.  

Recently she was honored by the prestigious "GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS" for her "32 HR LONG NON-STOP VIOLIN CONCERT" dedicated to GLOBAL PEACE AND HARMONY and as a musical tribute to her  legendary grandfather.  

Athira is at present under the tutelage of her father - noted musician and veena player Sri. Krishna Pillai [son of legendary musician Vidwan.Gopala Pillai] who is also an officer with the BSNL, and acclaimed flautist DR.N.RAMANI. 
 
 

Contact 
L. Athira Krishna  
B-21 , Palanam Apts  
146 Luz Church Road 
Mylapore, Chennai - 600004, India 
e-mail: violatglobal@yahoo.com 

Visit Athira's website http://www.aathirasviolin.com for further details - awards, photo gallery, news & events.