Rudrapatna Krishnashastri Srikantan (ಕನ್ನಡ: ಸಂಗೀತ ಕಲಾನಿಧಿ ರುದ್ರಪಟ್ಟಣ ಕೃಷ್ಣಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಿ ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠನ್) is a vocalist of the Karnataka Sangeeta tradition of South Indian music.
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Srikantan was born to a Sanketi family in Rudrapatna, Hassan district of Karnataka, on 14 January 1920. His father R Krishnashastri was an orator, gamaki, playwright, poet, and a harikatha vidwan. His grandfather, Narayanaswamy of Bettadapura, also known as Veena Narayanaswamy was a vainika contemporary of Veene Sheshanna and Veene Subbanna. Srikantan's mother Sannamma was also a good singer of her times but died when Srikantan was very young.
His father Krishnashastri was Srikantan's first tutor and he moved to Mysore after his wife's death. Later, Srikantan was mentored by his brother R K Venkata Shastri who accompanied vocalists as a vocal or violin-accompaniment in concerts. Srikantan went to Sadvidya Paathashaale and Banumaiah High School in Mysore. Later, he obtained his BA degree from the Maharaja College, Mysore.
Srikantan was an avid attendee at all concerts in Mysore during the era of the Wodeyars. Srikantan during these days was highly influenced by the Nadaswaram vidwans of his time. He was also highly influenced by maestros of the like of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Musiri Subramania Iyer, G N Balasubramaniam and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer. Srikantan's lineage of gurus is traceable right to Tyagaraja of the trinity of Karnataka Sangeeta.
Srikantan's singing is characterized by Sahitya Shuddhi (correct rendition of the literature), Shruti Shuddhi (refinement of pitch) and Swara Shuddhi (refinement of notes).
Even today, Srikantan renders teaching programs on the radio (On Amruthavarshini 100.1FM), where he clinically covers every detail of every song he teaches.
Some of Srikantan's disciples include his son R S Ramakanth, M S Sheela, T S Satyavati, R A Ramamani, M T Selvanarayana and H K Narayana. His daughter Ratnamala Prakash is also his disciple, who achieved fame and success in Sugama Sangeeta or Light Music. [2][3][4]