L. Athira Krishna

Biography

Early years

Athira Krishna is an Internationally acclaimed Prodigy Violinist of the present generation from India . Athira was born in Trivandrum,Kerala.She has an enviable musical lineage as the grand daughter of the illustrious Vidwan Shri.GopalaPillai, fabulous musician of yesteryears who belonged to the renowned Tanjore Tradition of Carnatic Music whose master-disciple lineage traced back to the Sri.Muthuswamy Dikshithar Carnatic trinity of the 18th century, and to Baluswamy Dikshithar, who first introduced the violin to Indian classical music.

Athira is the daughter of Sri.K.C.Krishna Pillai and Smt.S.Leela Kurup.Athira holds a Guinness World Record for her unique 32hr long Non-Stop Carnatic Violin Solo Concert

Growing up within one of Kerala's most acclaimed musical families, she had her intensive trainning under her grandfather Sangitha Vidwan.Sri Gopala Pillai at a tender age.Athira also inherited the intricasies of South Indian Classical Music from her father acclaimed musician and noted Veena Player Sangitha Vidwan.Sri K.C.Krishna.

Athira showed prodigious music talent even as a toddler, when she would repeat back musical phrases she heard her father sing; her father is himself an established Veena Vidwan and Vocalist.

Career Information

Athira switched over to Violin from Vocal at the tender age of 8 and was soon hailed a child prodigy.She started performing across the globe as a Carnatic Violin Soloist from the tender age of 9 years.

Popularly hailed as the "Princess Of Indian Violin", and aptly honored by the Former First Lady of India Smt.Usha Narayanan as ‘THE MUSICAL GEM OF INDIA' ,Athira has represented Indian Classical Music at prestigious International Music Festivals.

Athira had the rare honour to be invited twice to perform at the Rashtrapati Bhavan ,the Official Residence of The Honourable President of India ,before two Former Presidents of India ,Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam and K.R.Narayan.

In 2001 ,as a child prodigy representing Indian Classical Music ,Athira presented a Paper Presentation on ‘Violin in South Indian Classical Music’ for the prestigious ‘International Children’s Assembly’ held at New Delhi.

In 2002 ,Athira was honored with the title of "The Musical Gem Of India " by Former First Lady of India Smt.Usha Narayanan.

In 2002 ,Athira had the honour of presenting a unique thematic 'World Music Night' incorporating music genres of more than 20 nations for the year long ‘Millenium Celebrations in KAZAKIZTHAN’ aiming at ‘INTEGRATION THROUGH MUSIC IN THE NEW MILLENIUM’ .

In 2003 ,Athira entered the acclaimed ‘GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS ’, for her Unique First of its kind 32 hour long Non-Stop South Indian Classical Violin Concert dedicated to Global Peace and Harmony . This Musical Extravaganza titled 'Nadhabrahma' was also a tribute to her eminent grandfather.Athira also holds a place in the acclaimed Limca Book of Records for the same fete.

In 2005 THE WEEK Magazine featured Athira among YOUNG ACHIEVER -YOUTH ICONS OF INDIA list in its INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL –2005 edition titled “ON TOP OF THE WORLD” along with Sachin Tendulkar,Aiswarya Rai Bacchan Viswanathan Anand etc .

In 2005 Athira was specially invited by the Mayor of Menden,Germany to perform at the prestigious International Music Festival "JAZZ MEETS CLASSICS ".Athira also became the First Indian Classical Musician ever to perform at the famed 1000 year old church at KAISERWERTH ,Germany.

In 2005 Athira WAS INVITED FOR GIVING THE INAUGURAL CONCERT FOR THE WEEK-LONG 74th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OF THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who praised Athira saying it as “the best birthday present he had ever received”.

In 2006 ,Athira was featured in “BEST OF CHENNAI” among the Chennai’s Top Ten Best Performers list in the INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL –2006 edition of `INDIA TODAY’ MAGAZINE. Athira is the Youngest Performer & the Only Carnatic Violinist listed in this Top Ten Rating of Best Performers .

In 2007 ,Athira won the prestigious INFOSYS – EDUCATION WORLD YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD. Athira have had the rare fortune of exchanging musical notes with the likes of Yehudi Menuhin, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Balamurali Krishna,Pandit Jasraj etc.

Athira has enthralled audiences across the world including performances for prestigious International Music Festivals in India and abroad including Russia, Muscat, Doha, MIDDLE EAST, Germany, Behrin, Kirgiztan, Singapore, Kazakhstan etc. Athira has also given numerous "Trans Global Fusion" concerts and lecture demonstrations on Indian classical music at numerous World Music Festivals.

Awards & Rare Recognitions

National Balashree Honour from India Govt 2001

Prestigious Guinness World Record Holder 2004

Limca World Record Holder 2004

National Award for Excellence in Music 2007from President of India Dr.APJ Abdul Kalamin association with Indian Music Academy (IMA).

Princess of Strings Award 2006 from Rotasia World Conference.

Infosys-EducationWorld Young Achiever Award 2007

Honored with the title of "The Musical Gem of India" by Former First Lady of India Her Excellency Mrs.Usha Nrayanan ,after Athira's Concert at the Rashtrapati Bhavan 2002.

Athira is the First and Only Indian Classical Musician to perform at the prestigious International Music Festival "JAZZ MEETS CLASSICS " in Germany.

Leading Indian Magazine `INDIA TODAY’ rated Athira among the Chennai’s Top Ten Best Performerslist in its INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL –2006 edition titled “BEST OF CHENNAI”.

Athira became the First Indian Classical Musician ever to perform at the famed 1000 year old church at KAISERWERTH ,Germany in 2005.

In 2005 THE WEEK Magazine featured Athira among the YOUNG ACHIEVER -YOUTH ICONS OF INDIAalong witth Sachin Tendulkar,Viswanathan Anand.

External References