Well-known vocalists Vidu. Sindhu Suchethan and Vidu. H.M. Smitha are performing a vocal duet on Sunday, the 12th August at 6pm, at Prajna Kuteera, Kuvempunagar. The programme is organised by Sri Thyagaraja Sangeetha Sabha in association with Raaga Music Academy.

The sisters Sindhu and Smitha are the grand daughters of veteran violinist A.V. Venkatanarayana, a disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Mysore T Chowdaiah. They are trained under veteran violinist Ganakalabhushana H.K. Narasimhamurthy and Vidu. H.N. Rajalakshmi. Their skills have been fine tuned by Vidu. Pushpa Srinivasan and T.K. Srinivasan. Renowned violinist H.N. Bhaskar has been mentoring them in both vocal and violin. Graded ‘A’ by AIR, both are rank holders in music examinations, in both vocal and violin, which goes to prove their versatility. This prowess in both the streams gives an added perspective to their concerts.

They have received many awards like the ‘Best violinist award’ by the hallowed Madras Music Academy, Nada Kishori, Chinnara Kalashri, Yuva Prathibha Puraskara from the Government of Karnataka, Ananya Prathibha Puraskara etc. They have accompanied top notch artistes like Dr. R.K. Srikantan, Ranjani – Gayathri, Shashank, Abhishek Raghuram, M.S. Sheela to name a few. They have performed in almost all the leading sabhas/festivals and TV channels.

The duo will be accompanied by the budding Prithvi Bhaskar (daughter of Vid. H.N. Bhaskar and grand-daughter of  Vid. H.K. Narasimhamurthy) on the violin, seasoned veterans Vid. G.S. Ramanujam on the mridanga and Vid. V.S. Ramesh on the ghata.

—Veena Arun Kumar