Concept and Vision: Kalaimamani K N Shashikiran
The visionary behind this website, K N Shashikiran, is a popular musician singing as Carnatica brothers with his cousin P Ganesh. Having performed over 4000 concerts around the globe and creating a World record by singing a non -stop 24 hour marathon concert, Shashikiran is not only one of the most gifted and sought after musicians but is also an arts promoter, entrepreneur, voice expert, teacher, author and daily columnist. Most of all, he is a very enterprising, energetic and innovative thinker. He founded Carnatica in the year 1998 and since then has been a pioneer in bridging music and technology. He has several awards to his credit including the prestigious Kalaimamani from the Tamilnadu state Government, outstanding young Indian award from The Rotary club and Bharat Nirman Excellence award from Global Economic Series.
He is now the managing trustee of Carnatica Archival Centre, Founder Director of carnaticworld.com, School of World Music, Detroit and Academy of Excellence, UK. He has now created carnaticworld.com as an exclusive platform to globalize Carnatic music and reach it to youngsters all over the World.
Shashikiran is the brain behind several "first evers" and innovations in Carnatic music. A sneak peek into the accomplishments of this ever creative musician endowed with excellent entrepreneurial skills and a mind that is ever creative:
The Concept Man
Shashikiran was the first to introduce CD ROM("Nadanubhava"), VCD("Bharathiyar") and DVD("Nadopasana") to carnatic music. He rolled out the concept of online teaching through the first music, e-commerce web portal carnatica.com, which won the Britannica award for excellence in concept and design. He was the first to bring about the concept of direct marketing in Carnatic music at live events and festivals. He introduced the concept of Custom made CDs - "My music album" through music kiosks. He partnered with Airtel bringing in the first ever Carnatic music caller tunes & ringtones. He has continued working with music and technology, setting up the curriculum for Musiguru, the Carnatic music learning app and designing a 24/7 online radio channel "Carnatica". He introduced "Parichaya" , a music acquaintance programme in major schools in Chennai. Mobile Gurukulam, Residential Gurukulam, Voice clinic, Corporate stress management programmes through music are few of his other ventures. Shashikiran conceptualized the Carnatic Symphony, trained about 120 kids from North America and premiered the concert in the Cleveland Tyagaraja festival and in Detroit.
The Arts promoter
Bharat Sangeet Utsav, Bhakthi Sangeet Utsav, Raganubhava, Sahityanubhava, Vadyanubhava, Pallavi Darbar, World Music Day celebrations, Eastern Ethnic New Year celebrations, Sangeetha Sandhippu, Sangeetha Shiksha and Moksha concert series are music festivals conceptualized and curated by Shashikiran. He has organized a 100 hour music marathon and a 72 hour nonstop music show for IFCM. He also helps in the organization of major festivals like the Cleveland Tyagaraja festival, Sydney music festival and Minneapolis music festival.
He has organized several unique contests and felicitations to promote and recognise talents. Ms.Voice & Mr.Voice, Carnatic & Bhakthi Star, Virtuoso awards, Carnatic music industry awards are few of his popular events. Carnatic music Idol, the reality show now being aired on Jaya TV, in which Shashikiran is one of the judges is also his concept and idea.
The Social Worker
Shashikiran has always believed in supporting noble causes. He organized a mass musical Independence day celebrations with 23000 students at the Marina Beach in Chennai. He also played a major role in bringing together 3500 musicians at the Art of Living centre in Bangalore.
He has organized concerts with over 120 musicians to raise funds for the Tsunami victims in Chennai. He has performed concerts for the Shooting star charity to support the children's hospital in London. Shashikiran and Ganesh have performed fund raiser concerts for organizations like Shankaranethralaya, RASA and Shankara heart foundation. Shashikiran contributes towards temples and music festivals like Thiruvayyaru Tyagaraja aradana as well.
The Author
Shashi has authored popular books including Carnatic Fun Tasktic, Sangita Lipi and is a regular music columnist in leading newspapers like The Hindu, The Times of India, The Deccan Chronicle and The New Indian Express.
The Voice Trainer
Shashikiran is also a voice trainer and has conducted voice gym programs and workshops teaming with doctors, yoga instructors and popular voice trainers like SAK Durga, Ananth Vaidyanathan and Unnikrishnan.