N. J. Nandini

N J Nandini (born 5 August 1991)^[1] is a young Carnatic music vocalist from Trivandrum.^[2] 2014 was a high note for Nandini, who has become the young face of classical music in the city.^[1][3] who was awarded the Chembai Puraskaram,^[4] followed by the Isai Chudai title and the M S Subbalakshmi fellowship. Hailing from a family of rich musical heritage, she has been nurtured over the years, by her eminent gurus, Prof Parassala Ponnammal,^[5] Prof P R Kumarakerala Varma, Dr S Bhagyalakshmi and Dr M N Moorthy. She has performed over 700 concerts within India and abroad.

Early life and family

Nandini was born in a musical family with musicians of their times ,her grandfather Vechoor N Hariharasubramania Iyer, her uncle Vechoor C Sankar. Musically rooted and inclined parents - C Neelakantan and S Jayanthi, made sure that she got the best training and made her listen to almost all the concerts in and around the city, even when she was expected.^[6][7] Her brother, NJ Nandagopal a CA by profession, who is a singer and mridangist as well, also nurtured her talents in a great way. Her parents identified her talent when she was 3, as she started identifying ragas, and started singing small tunes.

She secured the 1st Rank in her +2, and when on with B.com in private study, and a MA in music securing the 1st Rank. She is currently pursuing a PHD in Music.

Career

• The youngest musician to secure "A" grade from All India Radio Trivandrum,
• Winner of All India Radio National Music Competition in 2009
• Winner of the title Ragaratnam Yuva, from Carnatic Music Reality Show in Amrita TV
• Ist Runner Up in Jaya TV – Pothys Carnatic Music Idol 2011
• Ist Runner Up in Jaya TV – Vivel Carnatic Music Idol 2012
• The People’s Choice Award in Jaya TV – Vivel Carnatic Music Idol 2012
• 1st Rank Holder- MA Music, Kerala University
• Delegation to China, from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt of India in 2014
• ICCR Empanelled Artist since the year 2012
• Recipient of CCRT Cultural Talent Scholarship since 2002

Awards, honours and recognition

• 2016 – Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma Smaraka Yuva Sangeetha Puraskara – Sri Poornathrayesha Sangeetha Sabha, Thrippunithura
• 2014 – ISAI CHUDAR – Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai
• 2014 – Chembai Puraskar – Cultural Department, Government of Kerala
• 2013 – Madurai Mani Iyer Award – Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
• 2013 – Prof P Mahalingam Endowement Award – Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai
• 2013 – Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna Dr M S Subbulakshmi Fellowship – Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai
• 2013 – Best Vocalist- 2013 – Kuwait Carnatic Music Forum
• 2012 – Best Vocalist - Female – The Spirit of Youth Music and Dance Festival, The Music Academy, Madras
• 2010 – Sangeetha Shri – Travancore Music Society, Harippad
• 2010 – Yuva Sangeetha Prathibha Puraskar – Swaranjali
• 2009 – Ragaratnam Yuva – Amrita TV
• 2009 – Dr. L Muthayya Bhagavathar Award – Edapally Sangeetha Sadas, Ernakulam
• 2009 – Best Female Singer Award – Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan
• 2008 – MLV Srividya Sangeetha Puraskar – MLV Srividya Charitable Society, Trivandrum
• 2008 – Yuva Sri Kala Bharathi – Bharathi Yuva Kendra, Madurai
• 2008 – Kalathilakom – Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Trivandrum
• 2008 – Award of Accreditation – Sri Sankara council for Assessment & Accreditation, Kalady
• 2007 – Venuganam Award – Neelakanta Sivan Sangeetha Sabha, Trivandum
• 2005 – Augustine Joseph Memorial Award – Poornathrayeesha Sangeetha Sabha, Thrippunithura
• 2005 – Uma Maheswaran Memorial Award – Chembai Memorial Trust, Trivandrum
• 2005 – Vaikom Vasudevan Nair Memorial Award – Vaikathashtami Festival
• 2004 – Best Young Talent Award – VDS Arts Academy, Chennai

References