finetune artist: U. Srinivas

b. Upalappu Srinivas, 28 February 1969, Palakol, West Gondavari, Andhra Pradesh, India. Widely described as "The Yehudi Menuhin of Indian classical music', Srinivas was a child prodigy. He began playing the mandolin (a rare instrument on the Indian subcontinent) at the age of six. With no precedents or tutors save his father, whose mandolin he inherited, he was forced to develop his own technique in isolation, slowly adapting the instrument to the demands of Carnatic ragas, eventually in consort with renowned classicist, Chembai Vaidyanata Bhagavatar. He played his first concert at the age of nine, at which time he was already in the process of being elevated to the role of boy genius. He quickly became synonymous with the instrument, to the extent that he is popularly addressed as Mandolin Srinivas in his own country. He was also able to unite disparate Indian audiences, from musical purists to students, in their appreciation of his playing. His domestic breakthrough came in December 1982 with a performance at the Indian Fine Arts Society in Madras. He also set about winning international acclaim, in festivals from Berlin to Mexico. He toured England in 1990 at the behest of the Asian Music Circuit and British Arts Council. It was during 1992, while on tour with the WOMAD organisation, that he recorded an album of traditional music for Real World Records, which announced him to European audiences. In 1995 he joined with Michael Brook to produce an accompanying collection, Dream. This time an all star cast was assembled, including cellist Caroline Lavelle, violinists Sikkil R. Bhaskaran and Nigel Kennedy, vocalist Jane Siberry and percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. A stunning fusion of disparate source elements, once again critics were astonished by Srivinas" range and control. Despite his all-conquering status in his native country, he remains an unaffected, modest man. A devout Hindu, he continues to live and rehearse in Madras, where he also teaches students in classical Indian music.

Listen to U. Srinivas at Finetune.

(2007) Rama Sreerama
(2007) Dream
(2004) RAMA SREERAMA
(1996) Dawn Raga
(1994) Prodigy
(1991) Double Mandolin
(1991) Modern Mandolin Maestro

a)Ragam Madhyamavati b) Thanam c)Palinchu Kamakshi
Gajavadhana
Sree Venkatesa Prabho (Raagam - Thaanam - Pallavi) & Raagamaalika
Raghunaathaninne
Rama Sreerama (Ragam, Thanam, Pallavi) & Ragamalika