Nagamani Srinath


Mysore Nagamani Srinath is an Indian Carnatic music vocalist, teacher, author, and composer from Mysore, Karnataka, India. She has taught and performned Carnatic music for over five decades and served as the professor and head of the music department at Maharani's Arts College in Bangalore, India. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010 for her contributions to the field.

Early life and training

Nagamani Srinath was born in Jodi Gubbi village in Hassan district to G. N. Narayana and G. N. Venkatalakshamma. She started learning Carnatic music at an early age and was sent to Mysore for training under Arekere Narayana Rao. In the early 1960s, she started performing along leading artists such as Mahadevappa, V. S. Rajagopal, and M. A. Krishnamurthy. She graduated with music as one of her subjects and got Central Government Scholarship to study music in Chennai.
At the age of 20, Srinath became a disciple of renowned Carnatic vocalist Ramnad Krishnan for her post-graduate diploma in music at the Central College of Carnatic Music. She also received mentorship from T. N. Krishnan, Palghat K. V. Narayanaswamy, T. M. Tyagarajan and Paroor Anantharaman and earned the title of "Vidwan."

Career

Nagamani Srinath began performing Carnatic music as a teenager and has given concerts at venues across India, including the Mysuru Sangeetha Sugandha festival. She has also taught numerous students, with her annual student concerts, such as the 2016 event at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Chennai, showcasing their progress. She has advocated for increased opportunities for Carnatic musicians in Karnataka and greater recognition for classical music in state honors like the Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards. In 2024, she published a book, Antaraalada Alaapane, about her experiences as a Carnatic vocalist.
She has also performed for All India Radio and Doordarshan, performing in their National Programmes and Radio Sangeet Sammelans.

Awards and recognition

Personal life

Nagamani Srinath resides in Mysore, where she continues to teach and perform. She participates in local festivals and supports initiatives to promote Carnatic music.