Akkarai Sisters

Akkarai Sisters, S Subhalakshmi and S Sornalatha are a dynamic duo and distinguished Indian classical violinist and vocalist, who are held in high regard both nationally and internationally. They are renowned for their soul-stirring performances, seamlessly interweaving the delicate intricacies of Indian classical music. Their virtuosic command on the violin, their tonal quality, often described as reminiscent of the human voice, adds a unique and captivating dimension to their performances.

Born into a lineage steeped in musical tradition, the Akkarai Sisters’ familial roots trace back to their grandfather, Suchindram Shri S P Sivasubramaniam. He was a multifaceted genius, revered for his diverse skills as a vocalist, violinist, composer, and a guru. Their grandmother, Smt R Sornambal, renowned as a music teacher and Harikatha exponent, further enriched their heritage.

Nurtured in this fertile artistic environment, the sisters embarked on their musical journey under the watchful eye of their father and guru, Akkarai Shri S Swamynathan. Their tutelage was later expanded to include lessons from several esteemed gurus. The combination of solid foundational training, innate talent, and unwavering dedication has resulted in them being heralded as among the most respected musicians in India today.

Akkarai Sisters’ performances whether they are violin or vocal duets, are characterized by captivating music that strictly adheres to classical principles. These duets have won widespread acclaim for their synchronicity and depth, creating an ethereal musical experience for the audience. In addition to their own performances, they are highly coveted for their violin accompaniment, having had the privilege to perform alongside a multitude of distinguished artists. Their innate ability to seamlessly adapt to various styles, have won them great acclaim and has served to enhance and enliven the music.

Throughout their career, Akkarai Sisters have embraced the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of artists worldwide. This has included performances with eminent Hindustani, Jazz, Western Classical, Pop, Folk, Transgender artists from around the globe.

These collaborations have not only showcased their versatility as a musician but have also served to bridge cultural divides, fostering a shared appreciation for the universal language of music. Akkarai Sisters’ music continues to touch the hearts of countless music lovers around the world, testament to their status as one of today’s celebrated musicians. Their dedication to their artistry, coupled with their creative methods and reverence for tradition, ensures that their performances have a profound and lasting impression wherever they perform.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

They have trained under various illustrious gurus including:

Akkarai S Subhalakshmi became the youngest violinist to achieve the A-Top Grade at All India Radio and Doordarshan inthe year 2019. She is also an A-Grade artist in vocal music.

Akkarai S Sornalatha is a gold medalist MA music graduate from the University of Madras (2012) and she is A-Grade artist in both vocal and violin at All India Radio and Doordarshan.

PERFORMANCES & COLLABORATIONS (Selected)

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE

Akkarai Sisters has been invited to perform in prestigious venues and festivals across the globe, showcasing the rich heritage of Carnatic music to diverse international audiences. They have performed in the following countries:

  • Asia: Russia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Jakarta, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Israel
  • North America: United States, Canada
  • Europe: Switzerland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium
  • Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
  • Africa: Mauritius

Their performances have not only enthralled the audience but have also significantly contributed to the global understanding and appreciation of Indian classical music.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

The sisters have been honoured with a host of awards and accolades:

Subhalakshmi’s accolades include:

  • Delhi State First by the Sangam Kala Group, Delhi (1993)
  • Kalashree awarded by Nehru Bal Samiti (1995-1996)
  • Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Puraskar award by the President of India at the age of thirteen (1996)
  • Sangeeta Visharada, awarded by election commissioner T N Seshan (1996)
  • Kala Bhushan awarded by Nehru Bal Samiti (1998 -1999)
  • Inspiring Child Artiste Award by Valayapatti Nadalaya received from the hands of Sangita Pitamaha
    Semmangudi Sri Srinivasa Iyer (1999)
  • Outstanding Young Violinist Award from the Music Academy (1999, 2001, 2006 and 2007)
  • Best performance Award from the Music Academy (2000)
  • Best Violinist from the Indian Fine Arts Society (2001)
  • Best Violinist of the Year awarded by writer Sujatha (Ananda Vikatan) (2001)
  • Youth Merit Award by the Rotary Club of Madras Industrial City (2002)
  • The Yuva Kala Bharathi from the Bharat Kalachar (2002)
  • Nada Oli from Nada Inbam (2005)
  • Vipanchee Award by Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr M Balamuralikrishna (2007)
  • The Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award from the Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Trust (2007)
  • The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award from the Sangeet Natak Akademy (2007)
  • Tag Award from the Tag Corporation of India (2008)
  • Ramabhadran Centenary Award for Most Promising Young Musician of the Year by Shanthi Arts Foundation & Endowments (2008)
  • Outstanding Artiste of the Year by Trinity Mirror (2009)
  • Vani Kala Nipuna from Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha (2012)
  • Isai Arasi by Trinity Mirror (2012)
  • Kala Rathna by Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana (2013)
  • Sangeetha Saptha Sagara by Shanthi Arts Foundation & Endowments (SAFE) (2014)

Sornalatha’s accolades include:

  • Kalashree awarded by Nehru Bal Samiti (1997-1998)
  • Sangeetha Bhaskara by Vaigal Gnanaskandan Trust
  • Yuva Kala Bharathi from the Bharat Kalachar (2010)
  • The Vipanchee Award by Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr M Balamuralikrishna
  • The gold medal at the national intercollegiate competition at Kurukshetra (2005-06 academic year)
  • The Best Violinist award from the Indian Fine Arts Society (2007)
  • Lalgudi Gopala Iyer Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (2008)
  • The first prize in the Shanthi Arts Foundation & Endowment’s Ragam Tanam Pallavi competition (2008)
  • Best Violinist Award of Excellence by Maithreem Bhajatha (2011)
  • Best Performance Award by the Music Academy (2012)
  • Isai Chemmal by Trinity Mirror (2012)
  • Best Violinist Award by the Music Academy (2013)
  • The Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award from the Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Trust (2018)

Accolades together include:

  • The Shanmukha Sangeeta Shiromani by Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai (2009)
  • Outstanding Vocalist Award by The Music Academy (2015)
  • Yuva Purandara Award by Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha, Bangalore (2016)
  • The felicitation by Indian Bank as one of the Women achievers on the occasion of the International Women’s day (2019)
  • The Sisters received the most prestigious TamilNadu State Government Award – “KALAIMAMANI” for the year 2019.
  • The Senior Best Instrumentalists award by The Music Academy (2022).
  • Vocational Excellence Award by Rotary Club of Chennai Presidency (2023)

DISCOGRAPHY

At the young age of fifteen, Subhalakshmi achieved an extraordinary milestone by releasing her debut album, a remarkable accomplishment where she skillfully accompanied her own vocals on the violin. Since then, she and her sisters have released numerous albums that showcase their exceptional talents in both violin and vocals.

Some notable albums in Akkarai Sisters’ discography include:

“Ananda Tandavam” – (Label Kalavardhani) Released during their early teens when Subhalakshmi was 15 years old and Sornalatha was 12 years old. This album (Composition of Suchindram Sri S P Sivasubramaniam & Alathur Sri Vijayakumar) beautifully captures their youthful energy and musical brilliance.

“Double Bow” – (Label Kalavardhani) An album that showcases their mastery on the violin, where they display their virtuosity and technical skills. This work persents a garland of diverse ragas & compositions.

“Inta Saukhyam” – (Label Charsur) A mesmerizing album that comprises three masterpieces of the celebrated Carnatic Trinity – highlights their abilities to bring out the true colour of the compositions with soulful renditions along with the virtuosity of the instrument.

“Varali” – (Label Rajalakshmi Fine Arts) A one raga album demonstrates Subhalakshmi’s versatility as she delves into the melodic nuances of the Varali raga, along with Tanam, Pallavi followed by ragamalika swaras with raga names ending with Varali – showcasing her deep understanding of classical music.

“Keeravani” – (Label Kalavardhani) Another one raga enchanting album where Subhalakshmi explores the intricate melodies and rhythmic patterns of the Keeravani raga, offering a delightful musical experience.

Charsur’s “December Season” series – The sisters have contributed to this esteemed live thematic concert series, which encompasses a collection of albums featuring renowned musicians during the December music season. Their performances in these albums demonstrate their ability to effortlessly present theme based concerts and create magical musical experiences.

In addition to these albums, the sisters’ music is available on popular streaming platforms such as Spotify and iTunes, allowing listeners from all around the world to appreciate their musical genius.

The Akkarai Sisters also actively engage with their followers by sharing their musical creations on various social media platforms, notably YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter (@AkkaraiSisters).

COMPOSING

Sornalatha, who is not only a virtuoso but also an ingenious composer, has to her credit beautifully crafted Varnams, including a notable pada varnam in Tamil language, as well as other compositions in Tamil, Telugu, and Sanskrit. Her compositions present a sophisticated tapestry of raga mudras, meticulously constructed swarksharas, and a complex interplay of melodic and rhythmic structures. These pieces have earned her substantial acclaim among revered musicians and discerning connoisseurs and rasikas. Her works have been lauded for her creativity and technical excellence, establishing her reputation as an artist of exceptional merit.

MENTORING

As esteemed educators, their expertise and wisdom are fervently sought-after, and they have profoundly influenced students from all corners of the globe. Many of their protégés have now emerged as performing artists in their own right, underscoring the transformative impact of their tutelage.

PUBLICATIONS

Akkarai sisters’ contributions to Carnatic music extend beyond their performances. They have also made significant contributions to the literature of Carnatic music, enhancing its understanding and appreciation among enthusiasts and learners alike.

‘Tamizhisai Pāmalar’: A comprehensive and insightful book penned by Akkarai Sisters, it features the lyrics, notations, and translations for 25 compositions of Suchīndram S P Sivasubramaṇiam (their grandfather) in both Tamil & English languages. This book serves as a valuable resource for students of music, scholars, and Carnatic music enthusiasts.

Their publications reflect their commitment to preserving and propagating the richness and depth of Carnatic music. They demonstrate their deep understanding of the art form and their talent as effective communicators of its nuances. Through their work, they aim to inspire and educate a new generation of musicians and music lovers.

More information about ‘Tamizhisai Pāmalar’ can be found at this link.

Sornalatha’s Master’s Thesis titled “Select few Thillanas of Chitravina N Ravikiran”

Sornalatha’s thesis offers a meticulous critique of Tillanas composed by Chitravina N Ravikiran, delving into the intricate weave of structure, melody, rhythm, and linguistic diversity present in his compositions. Emblematic of Ravikiran’s profound analytical abilities and creativity, the compositions blend an array of ragas, talas, and alankaras, spanning a broad spectrum of complexity from straightforward to intricate, often custom-designed for various dance productions.

The thesis underscores the effective portrayal of a wide range of ragas through meticulously crafted melodies and melodic variations. It observes the well-structured linkage from one line to the next, ensuring a rich melodic value. Crucially, it points out that all these variations are integrated without compromising any facet of the music. Elements such as suggestive svaraksharams and graha bhedams, which contribute to the vividness of the compositions, are also highlighted in this in depth analysis.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

“From the time of Mozart, the sight of a child on stage, performing as well as a veteran has been a strong draw. In Carnatic music, we have had earlier examples such as Mali, N Ravikiran, and U Shrinivas and now a violinist joins the group…”
– An article by the historian and writer V Sriram, 2004

“When she was just four years, she beat her grandmother to the stage to render a Lord Krishna song that held the audience spellbound… At 19, with several awards under her belt, Akkarai S Subhalakshmi is the rising star in Carnatic music…”
– The Week Magazine, 2003

“The maturity of the girls in ‘pavadai-davani’ at once frightened and thrilled you… An inborn gift combined with a relentless refusal to settle for anything but the best…”
– Gowri Ramnarayan, The Hindu, 2005

“It is stunning to hear the feats achieved on the violin by the calmly disposed Subhalakshmi… When Subhalakshmi plays the song ‘Chinnanjiru Kiliye’, it is not possible for one’s heart not to melt…”
– A article on Subhalakshmi at the age of nine, Malai Malar (in Tamil)

“With a level of control over her instrument which could be associated with one several times her age, she handled the different departments of the concert art with ease and self-assurance.”
– A review of eleven-year-old Subhalakshmi from The Hindu

“The sisters with their versatility, matched frequencies, immense bow control, spontaneity and artistic nuances made a fulfilling concert experience.”
– Review by Bhanu Kumar, Mulund Hindu (2019)

“Sornalatha was fastidiously truthful to the gamakas and variations that add to the might and beauty of Bhairavi…Her phrases painted the raga in all its majesty.”
– Review by G Pramod Kumar, The Hindu (2020)

Roshanara festival- “The 14-year-old has magic in her fingers when she plays the violin. Her instrumental interventions…were the essence of melodic bliss.”
– Review by Leela Venkataraman, The Hindu (1998)

“While Subhalakshmi’s timbre has a ringing clarity that the microphone loves, Sornalatha’s voice is more subdued with a warmth that accesses bhava.”
– Review by Lalithaa Krishnan, The Hindu (2016)

“Their play was full of expressions of warmth and every number they played had a unique charm. Their nadopasana demonstrated their deep understanding of the classicism of Carnatic music.”
– Review by T K Ganapathy, The Hindu

“Akkarai Subhalakshmi had been proclaimed one of India’s 50 emerging stars.”
– The Week magazine’s issue commemorating the India 50th anniversary.

“The sisters were in a happy space that generated a leisurely, yet authoritative approach…Rising above the lure of mere technique, they ensured a presentation of substance and emotive depth.”
– Review by Lalithaa Krishnan, The Hindu (2019)

“Subhalakshmi chased the mysteries of the creative realm like a true seeker, in total awe of those moments of discovery.”
– Review by Deepa Ganesh, Gayana Samaja (2019)

“Akkarai Sisters (S Subhalakshmi and S Sornalatha), who gave a scintillating violin duet recital in the second half of the previous evening, donned the role of a vocalist-duo and offered a complete concert with equal ease!”
– Review – The Statesmen (2015)

“Scripted with passion by Sornalatha who lavished on intricate detailing, an esoteric Jyoti Swarupini essay surfaced. Insightful madhyamakala sancharas that pledged fidelity to grammar and raga bhava rendezvoused at the nishadha to flesh out the madhya sthayi, from where the gandhara reaching to the tara sthayi gandhara was the vocalist’s playing field. Deep-dipping  jarus complemented the alchemy of alternating adventurous and soothing prayogas. Sornalatha’s own composition ‘Nannubrovu Kamakshi’ afforded ample scope for poruttam-studded swarakalpana.”
– Review by Lalithaa Krishnan, The Hindu (2019)

“The accompanying violinist, a young genius, Akkarai Subhalakshmi, is a Chola bronze come to life”
– Spring, Heat, Rains: A South Indian Diary- David Shulman (2009)