In tune with the times

Amritha Sekhar who is born in a family where carnatic music continues to be a legacy handed over to generations, she represents the fourth succession of upholding traditional carnatic music. Her paternal grandmother late P Bhagavathy Ammal was a disciple of the doyen of carnatic music Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and had her tutelage under other exponents also like Nellai Krishnamoorthy, Kalladakurichi Harihara Bhagavathar, CS Krishna Iyer to name a few. Amritha’a father B S Sekhar is also a disciple of late Vechoor N Hariharasubramania Iyer - who was in turn a disciple of Semmangudi and has worked with GNB in Swati Tirunal Music College, Thiruvanathapuram.

With such a strong backing of musical history, winning ‘Raga Ratnam Junior-2’ title (a reality show dedicated to music) was a child’s play for her. She recently performed during the ‘Vrichikolsavam’ at the Poornathrayeesha temple and won the hearts of music lovers.

At the age of nine, she gave her first debut solo performance. From then on there was no turning back for this singer who has been enthralling her audience with her beautiful voice. Amritha had been trained under professor Sathyamoorthy and continues her musical training under professor Sivarama krishnan, retired lecturer of Government College of Music, Coimbatore. She is also a disciple of Dr Shertalai Renganatha Sharma -professor of music, Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam, Madurai.

She is a recipient of CCRT (Centre for Cultural & Resource Training - NEW DELHI) scholarship by Ministry of cultural affairs, Government of India for carnatic music from the year 2009. She has also won prizes in competitions conducted by various sabhas such as Sri Satguru Sangita Samajam, Madurai, Swati Tirunal Sangita Sabha and Rasika Ranjana Sabha, Trichy to name a few.

And recently, Amritha Sekhar won a musical contest organised globally by Shankar Mahadevan Academy and had a one-to-one online class with Shankar Mahadevan. She is also the recipient of this year’s Kalathilakam award. Added to these accolades, she is also selected as the 'Best Carnatic Singer' by All Kerala Brahmana Sabha 2011 to name a few.

Some of the concerts in which she has been part of are Tamil Isai Concert, Tyagaraja Festival and Dikshitar Day concert to name a few.