Shobana Raghavan

307 E 89th St, Apt 1H, NY 10128 Ph: (646) 479-4297

 

VISION

 

- to spread the joy of Indian Classical Music and bring out the spiritual aspects of slokas and vedic chants that elevate one's soul and brings eternal happiness to the singer and the listener.

 

- to teach the theory and practice of indian carnatic music,for students to  be able to sing at various music festivals and competitions in the country  and to make them understand the nuances of such an age-old traditional art  form,that will help them practise any other genre of music and to train them for concert singing.

 

- to organise carnatic vocal,instrumental and percussion concerts by eminent  artistes, for students to develop concert appreciation qualities and learn better by listening and understanding.

 

- to conduct special workshops that deal with raga elaboration,effective use of tala patterns and to teach how to compose songs in carnatic music.

 

- to hold music quizzes and competitions for students and give the winners a platform to perform.

 

- to conduct teachers' training courses and teach the various methods involved in imparting the knowledge of carnatic music.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND

EDUCATION

 

1993     Received “First Class” in Lower Examination for Indian Music, conducted by Government of Tamilnadu, India

o "First rank" in Tamil in Tamilnadu State 10th Grade Examinations, with commendation and citation from Education minister of Tamilnadu State

o Prizes in numerous music competitions presented by organizations such as:

- The Music Academy

- Mylapore Fine Arts

- Rajah Annamalaipuram Baktha Jana sabha

- Thyaga Brahma Gana sabha

 

1999     Madras University, Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) graduate degree

o Topped the college in B.Com

o Fifth rank in Tamil; received numerous prizes in oratorical and debating skills in both Tamil and English

o Best Outgoing Student of the Year, 1999

o Founder's Award

 

2000     Member of "The Institute of the Cost and Works Accountants of India" (ICWAI)

 

 

MUSIC AND DANCE TUTELAGE

 

 

 

AWARDS

Best Solo Vocalist - Indian Fine Arts Society at German Hall, Chennai; 1999

Best Vocalist for Dance - Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai; 2000

Best Anchor - MGR-Sivaji film awards, for compering of television programmes

 

 

 

NOTABLE MUSIC PERFORMANCES

 

Solo Vocal   : 

1998

- Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar festival, Guruvaayoor

1999

- December Music Festival, Indian Fine Arts society

- Vocal concert, Kartik Fine Arts at Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Chennai

- Suswaraa and Dharma Paripalana Sabha concert for World Peace, Chennai

2000

- Vocal concert for Chidambaram sabha, Natraja temple, Chidambaram

2004

       - Lecture demonstration on Carnatic music, New York University, New York, NY USA

 

       2005

       - Thematic Chamber music concert at Manalapan,NewJersey USA,in April

       - Studio recording of classical songs for bharatnatyam for dancer Sonali Skandan in April at Queens,NewYork USA

                             

Vocal Accompaniment for Classical Dance  :

- Performances with dance exponent Smt.Alarmel Valli in Haryana and Mumbai festival concerts in Chennai for the Bharat Kalachar, as well as the Ellora festival inaugural concert, among others

- Performances with popular dance artist Ms.Anitha Ratnam of "Naachiyar" - a thematic dance presentation

- Performed with numerous Bharatnatyam dance exponents in Chennai, such as Kalaimamani Guru Smt.K.J Sarasa, Smt.Revathy Ramachandran, Smt.Srekala Bharat, Smt.Ranganayaki Jayaraman, and popular dancer and actress Shobana

- Accompanied Kuchipudi dance recitals for Smt.Uma Muralikrishna, as well as students of guru Smt.Durga, etc.

2000

- Toured Malaysia, Germany, Switzerland and London with dancer Smt.Meenakshi Chittaranjan

- Toured Japan with Kum.Kavita Ramu, senior disciple of Kalaimamani Smt.K.J Sarasa

2001

- Toured Switzerland with dancing couple Dasappa Keshava and Esther

2002

- Toured US with senior dance guru Smt.Kamala Lakshman

 

Dance Accolades:-

 

- Performed in the dance ballets "Sita Kalyanam" and "Valli thirumanam", choreographed by dancer guru Smt.Anita Guha in 1997

- Perfomed in group presentations choreographed by dancer Smt.Revathy Ramachandran in 2001

- Won the "First Prize" in the Group Folk category and the "Second Prize" in the Outstanding Dance category of the "Annual Bridgewater Temple dance competitions" in July 2005 at New Jersey, as part of the 'Shubanjali school of performing arts, NewJersey'

 

 

 

OTHER INTERESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS  

'Final Stage Brown Belt'  in Okinawan Goju-Ryu style of Karate



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