K. Bhaskaran
     Flutist

       Kesava III Floor,
       New No: 65 (Old 22),
       Oliver Road, Mylapore,
       Chennai – 600 004.
       Ph: 91-44-24980702
                                                                      bhaskaran_k@yahoo.com
 

 

 K.Bhaskaran is a leading artiste in flute in the Indian Classical specialising in South Indian Style.

Performing extensively since the mid seventies, he has been acclaimed as one of the finest artistes ever to bring out the exquisite nuances of Indian Classical music from this simple bamboo instrument.

His playing is known for its melodic lucidity, rich timbre and a refreshing originality in the interpretation of both traditional ragas and modern compositions.
 

Reviews


           "Anyone sensitive to fine music could feel the freshness and vitality of K. Bhaskaran's Hymavathy exploration for Dikshitar's 'Madhurambikaye' during his flute recital for Nadopasana. "

K.S. Mahadevan, Indian Express, Chennai,      Oct 18, 1998.
            "...The flute obeyed his directions with striking promptitude. In the Sudhamayi alapana, which was fairly long, Bhaskaran was the consummate artist, bringing to it an abundant musical imagination"

                   Ganapathy Ramakrishnan, Indian Post Bombay, July 29, 1988.  (Concert at NCPA, Bombay)
 

            "  The Bhairavi Varnam was pleasing; "Nee Bhakthi Bagya Sudha" in Jayamanshari joyous; Ramapriya racy; Gowrimanohari grand; and the over-all effect was pleasing".

                    Subbudu, Indian Express, Chennai Dec 27, 1981. (Concert in Indian Fine Arts Society  Music Festival, Chennai)
 

            "  Bhaskaran proved his excellence in melody by the way  he rendered the Alapana for Aberi, acoompanied by Thyagaraja's 'Nagumomu' and a pleasant swaraprasthara at  'Jagamela'.

                  Dr. V. Sundarajan, Indian Express, Pune, Jan 30, 1990. (Concert at Poona Sangeetha  Sabha,  Jan 27th 1990)
 
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Awards


1. A.I.R. All India Competition for Flute, Ist Prize, 1977.

2. Talent Promotion Award, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Madras,   1979.

3. Silver Flute, Flute Mali Award, Music Academy, Madras,     1991.

4. 'TYME' Award, Madras, 1990.
 
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Radio & Television


 1. 'A' graded artiste performing over Madras 'A'.

 2. Have given recordings as visiting artiste at A.I.R. Bangalore,  Coimbatore, Pondichery, Mysore, Nagpur, Calcutta.

 3. Performing in A.I.R. since 1978.

 4. Performed over Doordarshan, Madras - also telecast over National Metro Channels, Private Channels like  SUN/SURYA.

 5. Programmes broadcast over National Channel, A.I.R.  also.
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Recordings


1. "Flute Melody" CBS Records, 1988, BMX 8538.

2. "Call of the Bamboo" CBS Records, 1990, NPX 08649 & 50.

3. "Flute" Sangeetha Tapes 2 volumes, 1991, P6ECDB 454 & 55.

4. "Flute" AVM Audio, 1992, 60B 9070.

5. "Flute" Saragam Cassettes MRC 366.
 
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Foreign Tour

Toured USA in April to June 1993 and performed in many places,  important ones being:

**               Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival, Hindu Temple Connecticut  (April 24).

**                Purandaradasa Day, Hindu Temple, Atlanta (sponsored by the Carnatic Music Association of North America and Kannada Association), June 26, 1993.

**                Siva Vishnu Temple, Maryland, May 1993.
 
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Detail of some selected Concerts

*        First Sabha concert at Music Academy Madras, Sept 1978, presided over  by Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna.

*        Indian Fine Arts Society, Music Festival, Dec 1981, 1992 & 1998

*        Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Madras, Sept 1979, Nov 1981.

*        NCPA, Bombay, June 1988.

*        TYME, Madras, April 1990.

*        Flute Mali Day celebrations, Madras, June 1992.

*        Karnataka GanaKala Parishat Festival, Bangalore, Jan 1985.

*        South Indian Association, Nagpur, Sept 1989.

*        Neyveli Sangeetha Sabha, Neyveli, Sept 1982 and May 1991.

*        Rasikapriya, Calcutta, May 1995.

*        Rama Navami Festival, Mysore, April 1997.

*        Vellore, 'Saraswathi', June 1997.

*        Kalasagaram, Hyderabad, Sept 1997.

*        Radio Sangeeth Samelon concert at Trichy, Oct 1997.

*        December 1999 Music Festival, Chennai:
                Kapali Fine Arts,
                Nandi Fine Arts,
                Millenium Show, Mylapore Fine Arts.

*        'Swati Tirunal' - Invited Audience Programme, AIR Calicut, Kotakkal, April 2000.
 
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Co-artistes

 Some of the leading artists and veterans who have performed alongwith K.Bhaskaran and accompanied him are:

Sri T.V. Gopalakrishnan

Sri Madras A. Kannan

Sri Srimushnam V Raja Rao

Sri Tanjore Upendran

Sri Guruvayur Durai

Ms. A. Kanyakumari

Smt. T. Rukmini

Sri Haridwaramangalam

A.K. Palinivel

Sri Subash Chandran

Sri Harishankar

Sri Mannargudi A. Easwaran

Violinist R. Ganesh

Violinist M.A. Sundareswaran

Violinist Sri. M.S.Anantharaman

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Training

Had extensive training in Flute under Mayavaram Saraswathi Ammal, popularly known as Mayavaram Papa. Have developed further on techniques of flute-playing to achieve more Gamaka purity.Also had advanced training in Pallavis, etc., under Sri. S. Venkatrama Iyer (also known as Pallavi Venkatrama Iyer)  and  under Professor T.R. Subramanian of Delhi University in Pallavis and rare kritis. Currently also training in rare kritis under Sri. S. Rajam, the renowned vocalist.
 
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Research Pursuits

Have done research work in Computer-generation of Kalpanaswaras. Have given lecture demonstrations and participated in Music Conferences on these and related subjects. 
Recipient of a Central Govt. Dept. of Culture Fellowship for research in performing arts, given to outstanding artistes, for 1992-1994. 
Have played an active part in the fabrication of a Fibreglass Flute prototype and exploring such alternate process/materials for manufacturing flutes.

Some Published Articles and Talks
"Computer Generation of Kalpanaswaras" Annual Music conference paper, Karnataka Ganakala Parishat, Bangalore, 1985. 
Appreciation of Carnatic Music published in Ganasudha, 412.08 Hubli, Annual conference Souvenir, 1993. 
"The many faces of the flute" Sruti magazine, March 1994. 
"Computers and Karnatic Music" Paper and Lecture at Sri Krishna Ganasabha, Gokulashtami Music Conference, Madras 1987. 
"Lathangi and Logarithms" talk at the Visweswaraiah Museum Hall, organized by ‘Avyaya’ Bangalore, Dec. 1991. 
‘Can Computers play a role in Karnatic Music’ paper published in the Indian Musicological Society (Baroda) vol. 25 Jan. – Dec. 1994.

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