Ranjani-Gayatri

Early Life : Ranjani and Gayatri were born to N. Balasubramanian and Meenakshi (a Carnatic vocalist as well). Born into a Palakkad Iyer family deeply involved in classical music, Ranjani and Gayatri's musical talents were discovered at a very early age.They started their violin training at the early age of nine and six respectively from Sangita Bhooshanam Prof. T.S. Krishnaswami at the Shanmukhananda Sangeeta Vidyalaya, Mumbai.
As Violin Duet Artists : Ranjani and Gayatri began their music career as violin duet artistes even before they reached their teens. Through their intense training from Sangita Bhooshanam Prof. T. S. Krishnaswami, they quickly established themselves as top-class violinists of international repute. The sisters achieved success as violin duet performers, and subsequently they also proved successful as violin accompanists. Both Ranjani and Gayatri have accompanied various artists on the violin, including D.K. Pattammal.Gayatri accompanying D. K. Pattammal on violin.

As Vocal Artists : The sisters have given vocal concerts since 1997, after they became students of Padma Bhushan Sangeeta Kala Acharya P. S. Narayanaswamy.They have learnt quite a few Bhajans from vocalist Seetha Narayanan. Their chance meeting with an amateur Hindustani vocalist in Chennai, Vishwas Joshi, an official of the World Bank working in Washington, from whom they learnt a few abhangs and gavlis, paved way for further learning from Manek Bhide and Appasaheb Deshpande of Kolhapur.
Within barely three years, they won high praises from critics and music lovers all over the globe. Their music, imbued with a deep and abiding classicism, has been described as an exhilarating blend of vitality, melody and emotion. Ever since their debut in 1997, they have performed in all prominent sabhas in the December Music Festival in Chennai, and at premier institutions all over the country. They have to their credit several album releases, both violin and vocal. They give various world tours every year, touring many countries such as the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many more.
As Composers : Apart from singing, Ranjani and Gayatri also have an interest for composing music. A few of the abhangs they sing at the end of their concerts have been set to music by them. They have also set many other thukkada pieces, including bhajans. Here is a list of some of the songs set by the sisters:
Bolava Vitthala – Abhang (Sant Tukaram) – in raag Bhatiyar.Pagaivanukkarulvai (Subramanya Bharathi) – RagamalikaNaachke Aaye – Bhajan (Ambujam Krishna) – in raag Basant-Bahaar.Raam Naam Mhanata – Abhang (Tukaram) – in raag JhinjhotiSharana Sharana – Abhang (Sant Tukaram) – in raag Pilu.Dhanya Dhanya – Abhang (Sant Eknath) – in raag Durga.Sada Majzhe – Abhang (Sant Tukaram) – in raag Mishra Malkauns.

Awards : Ranjani and Gayatri have received multiple awards and recognitions throughout their career. In addition, various music personalities from all over India have recognized their talent. Most recently, the sitar player of North India, Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, was so impressed by their singing that he organized a concert of theirs in Delhi. Here is a list of the awards and recognitions received by the sisters:

* Sanskriti Awards, instituted by Sanskriti Foundation, New Delhi, (recognizing their contribution to the field of performing arts)

*Kalki Krishnamurthi Memorial Award (instituted by the Kalki trust in memory of the writer Sri. Kalki Krishnamurthy)

*Yogam Narayana Swamy AwardNational Eminence Award (by the Shanmukhananda          Sabha, Mumbai)

*Title of "Isai Peroli" from the Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai in Dec 2005.Dr. M.L.               Vasanthakumari Endowment Award, instituted by CMANA (The Carnatic Music Association   of North America, Inc), USA awarded by Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai.

* Sarada Krishna Iyer Memorial Award for Outstanding Concert during December 2003         from the Music Academy, Chennai.

*T.S.Sabesa and Thanjavur Ponniah Pillai Award for Viruttam/Sloka singing from The         Music Academy, Chennai.

*Performed their debut violin duet concert at the Indian Music Group Festival of Music         when they were thirteen and ten years old respectively.

*Recipients of the Government of India Talent Search Scholarship from the age of ten.

*Winners of the First Prize in the All India Radio National Competition for Violin.

*Recipients of the title of "Sangeeta Shanmukha Mani' conferred by Shanmukhananada    Fine Arts and Sangeeta Vidyalaya, Mumbai.

*Won The Outstanding Violinists Award for four consecutive years from the Music             Academy, Chennai from 1994 to 1998. Won the Award for Best Kirtana Rendering for          their vocal concert from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in 1999.