Sreevalsan J. Menon is an Indian Carnatic vocalist and a music composer from Kerala.

Biography

After initial training under Rajalakshmi Krishnan (disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar) and violinist T.V. Ramani at Thrissur, Menon had much of his advanced tutelage under the late Neyyattinkara Vasudevan. Menon is an 'A' grade artist of All India Radio and has given concerts all over the country including the National Concerts of AIR and

Doordarshan Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest bro ...

. He has received several awards including Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award 2013, from the Madras Music Academy, and a title from Krishna Gana Sabha, also in Chennai, besides such institutions of repute in the Deccan. He has also participated in Music Transcends, a symphony held at Washington, D.C. in 2004, integrating Western and Indian classical music. His

jugalbandi A jugalbandi or jugalbandhi is a performance in Indian classical music, especially in Hindustani classical music but also in Carnatic, that features a duet of two solo musicians. The word jugalbandi means, literally, "entwined twins." The duet ca ...

s with

Hindustani Hindustani may refer to: * something of, from, or related to Hindustan (another name of India) * Hindustani language, an Indo-Aryan language, whose two official norms are Hindi and Urdu * Fiji Hindi, a variety of Eastern Hindi spoken in Fiji, and ...

vocalist Ramesh Narayan and late

Kathakali Kathakali ( ml, കഥകളി) is a major form of classical Indian dance. It is a "story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately colourful make-up and costumes of the traditional male actor-dancers. It is native to the M ...

musicians

Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri (1944–2007) was one of the most popular Kathakali musicians, credited with initiating a new wave in the rendition of songs for the classical dance-drama from Kerala in south India. His shruti-aligned music wa ...

and Kalamandalam Hyderali have been widely appreciated. Menon's two songs ("I Be Here" and "I Have Secrets") and background score for Saint Dracula has been qualified for songs and original score categories of 85th Academy Awards. The background score by Sreevalsan for the film Ottaal which won the crystal bear at the Berlin festival 2016 was praised for its laid back music in the award citation. Known for the spiritual quality of his renditions, Sreevalsan's carnatic music style is marked by a majestic sweep in Krithi rendering, brevity in alapana, meaningful Niraval elaborations; all in sync with a perfect alignment to Sruthi. Sreevalsan has also carved a niche area for himself through his thematic musical productions on the Rains, Seasons, Rasas and Temples of Kerala.

Personal life

Menon is married to Indu since 8 September 1996 and they have a daughter Subadra and a son Narayanan who are also known for their musical talent.

Career

Menon's music albums are fresh and innovative. They include Vanaprastham, a musical interpretation of the famous short story by M.T. Vasudevan Nair; ''Monsoon Anuraga'' a musical experience on monsoon rains. ''Vismaya'', a fantasy video album featuring ''Artist Namboodiri'', M T Vasudevan Nair and menon himself. He has given Carnatic vocal performances and lecture demonstrations throughout India, the Middle East, UK, US, Canada and Africa. Menon works as Professor at the Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur, and has a Ph D in Agricultural Extension from IARI, New Delhi. (He earned his doctorate with research on the social impact of rubber cultivation.) A native of Kunissery in Palakkad district, Menon lives in the temple town of Tripunithura off Kochi.

Filmography

Albums

*''Krishna - A Musical Reflection'' *''Vanaprastham'' *''Kshetranjali'' *''Monsoon Anuraga'' *''Classical Encounters'' - with guru Sri. Neyyatinkara Vasudevan *''Vismaya - Emotional Expressions'': audio & music video album with Bini Panicker *''Manasa Smarami'' *''Madhuram Gayati'' *''Ananda Poonkatru'' *''Sree Guruvayurappan Gananjali : Vol - 3'' *''Jugal Bandi : Vol 1 & 2'' - with Kalamandalam Shankaran Embranthiri & Meledam Narayanan *''Sringaram'' *''Begane Baro'' *''Ramanan'' *''Bhavayami'' *''Navarasa Thillana'' *''Irayimman Thampi Kritis'' *''Rituleela'' *''Hare'' *''Swami Ayyappan'' *''The genius of Kunjan Nambiar''

References

External links

Sreevalsan J. Menon - Official website Will Sreevalsan bring home an Oscar?
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20071001063118/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/07/01/stories/2005070102320300.htm The Hindu - Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan and Sreevalsan J. Menonbr>Swathithirunal.org
* ttp://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEX20071029024559&Title=Kochi&rLink=0 Newindpress - When dusk settles...br> Video - Vismaya Music Album

* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20121107225849/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/09/19/stories/2009091952670600.htm The Hindu - WELL composed!br>Sreevalsan with Nithyasree MahadevanRemembering Mandolin U. Sreenivas (Malayalam)Interview with Sreevalsan J Menon - Times of India
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Sreevalsan praises Action Hero Biju
{{DEFAULTSORT:Menon, Sreevalsan J Male Carnatic singers Carnatic singers 21st-century Indian male classical singers Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Films scored by Sreevalsan J. Menon Singers from Kerala Agriculture educators People from Palakkad district