Biography
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Biography
The Chinmaya Sisters, Uma and Radhika, are classical Carnatic vocalists. They received the blessings of Chinmayananda Saraswati and are therefore named Chinmaya Sisters by their Guru.
Early life
During one of their concert
The sisters were initiated into music at a very young age by their mother Bhavani Natesan, Uma and Radhika went on to receive intense training from T. N. Seshagopalan and Neyveli Santhanagopalan. They grew up in Mulund, Mumbai and as children had the opportunity to participate in a number of competitions conducted by schools and sabhas.
Musical career
Uma Radhika
After relocating to Chennai to continue their pursuit of music, their maiden concert was in the year 1992 in the “Spirit of Youth” Series of the Music Academy. Thereafter they were selected by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram to perform concerts across Tamil Nadu in four venues.
They are now regular performers in the December Music Festival and perform in prime slots in most of the Sabhas. They have also performed extensively in many Sabhas in India and abroad. They have also performed for the Sri Lankan TV channel Rupavahini and were featured in a live interview for the channel.
Being “A “ graded artists of All India Radio, they have performed in many of their special programmes which include National Programme of Music, Navaratri programme and Trinity Series. They have been part of several Archival projects like Abhayamba Navavarnams, Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer kritis, Chamundamba Ashtotra Kritis of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar and Sriranga Kshetra Pasurams.
They are also regular performers for Doordarshan and other TV channels and some of their prestigious telecasts include Abhayamba navavarnams for SVBC and National programme of Music – Doordarshan.
Their rendering of over 120 Divya Prabandams for the programme “Thittikum Thaen Tamil”, telecast in the Sun News Channel was well received and won appreciation from the public..
Discography
They have released several CDs and Albums ranging on a wide variety of themes. Special mention must be made of their CD for the project "Naada Vaibavam" of “Art of Living” which brought together 5000 musicians on a single stage. This CD was released worldwide and received great appreciation from both musicians and the general public.
Awards
They are recipients of several Awards and Titles such as
- “Vani Kala Nipuna” from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha in 2012.
- Jewel in the crown of Adarsh” from the Punjab Association
- M.S.Subbulakshmi Endowment Award” from Narada Gana Sabha in 2009.
- “Sri A.M.Venugopal Award” from Kalakriti, Chennai.
- “Yuva Kala Bharathi” from Bharath Kalachar in 2006.
- “Veda Vyasa Kala Seva Rathna” from the Veda Vyasar Tapovanam, Chennai in 2006.
- Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Memorial prize from the Music Academy in 2003.
- Best Vocalist Award from the Indian Fine Arts Society for their concert in the years 2001 and 1997.
- Award from the Music Academy endowed by CMANA, New Jersey for their concert in 1999.