The 10th Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal to be conferred on Dr.Pantula Rama

Chennai, September 10, 2019 | The Indira Sivasailam Endowment fund, established in association with The Music Academy, Madras, aims to recognize and promote Carnatic musicians of distinction.
Each year a winner is chosen by a panel comprising of members from the Endowments Committee of the Academy and Ms. Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman, TAFE. The Indira Sivasailam Foundation was established by Ms. Mallika Srinivasan as a tribute to her mother Smt. Indira Sivasailam – an avid follower and patron of the traditional art forms, especially Carnatic music. This year the foundation enters its 10th Year existence.
The recipient of The Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal for the year 2019 is Dr. Pantula Rama, a leading exponent of Carnatic music. Dr. Rama hails from a family of musicians and scholars. Her father, Sri. Pantula Gopala Rao is a well-known violinist and her mother Smt. Padmavathi is an accomplished Veena artist.
Dr. Rama had her initial musical training under her father, and completed her advanced training under ‘Sangeeta Kalasagara’ Sri. Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao. She is one of the youngest vocalists to have been awarded the prestigious ‘Top grade’ by the All India Radio.
She is equipped with a vast repertoire and highly imaginative approach, and is renowned for her interpretation of the works of old and new composers. Her unique style distinctive for brilliant artistry, clarity of diction, an ever-fresh approach and a perfect balance of the different elements of Carnatic music, enthralls audiences around the world. She holds a Doctorate in Carnatic music and has authored the book, ‘Shaping of an ideal Carnatic musician through Sadhana’. She has been honored with a multitude of titles from reputable sabhas and music organizations in India and abroad including the ‘Senior Outstanding Vocalist’, ‘Outstanding Lady Vocalist’ & ‘Best Pallavi Award’ from The Music Academy, Madras, ‘Asthana Vidushi of Avani Sringeri Sarada Peetham’ and the ‘Ragam Tanam Pallavi Award’ from the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival.
As a teacher and arts advocate, Dr. Rama believes in inspiring and shaping the next generation of music aspirants to pursue arts as a lifestyle and career. Through her socio-cultural movement, “PaRa – the Supreme”, she aims to create and heighten the awareness of Classical music with openness towards other genres of music.
The selection was made on the basis of specific criteria which include excellence in performance, audience appeal, adherence to classical tradition while innovating within its framework, depth of knowledge and demonstrated efforts to disseminate knowledge and the ability to bring about a greater and deeper public appreciation of Carnatic Music.
To mark the 10th year Celebrations, Vidwan Sri. R.K. Shriramkumar (Violin), Vidwan Sri. J.Vaidyanathan (Mridangam) and Vidushi Smt. Bhagyalakshmi M. Krishna (Morsing) will be awarded The Indira Sivasailam Foundation 10th Anniversary Special Award for their exceptional performance as accompanying artistes.
The Award ceremony and The Indira Sivasailam Endowment Concert will be held at the Music Academy, Madras, on the October 4, 2019 at 6:00 pm.