Ranjani–Gayatri
Ranjani and Gayatri are two sisters who perform as a Carnatic vocal and violin duo. They have also appeared as soloists, accompanists, composers, and educators of Indian Classical Music. Their work includes studio recordings; television, radio, and festival appearances; live concerts; and lecture demonstrations.
Early life
Ranjani and Gayatri were born to N. Balasubramanian and Meenakshi. Born into a Tamil Brahmin family deeply involved in classical music, Ranjani and Gayatri's musical talents were discovered at a very early age. Gayatri could identify over a hundred ragas when she was barely two and a half and Ranjani could delineate complex rhythm patterns at age five. They started their violin training at the early age of nine and six respectively from Sangita Bhushanam Prof. T.S. Krishnaswami at the Shanmukhananda Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai.As violin duet artists
Ranjani and Gayatri started their musical journey as violinists before they reached their teens, performing in sabhas around India and abroad. Besides playing the violin duet, they have also performed with musicians such as Smt.D.K.Pattammal, Sri M Balamurali Krishna, T.Vishwanathan.As vocal artists
The sisters have given vocal concerts since 1997, after they became students of Padma Bhushan Sangeeta Kala Acharya P. S. Narayanaswamy. Ranjani and Gayatri perform songs in languages including Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati, in the genre of traditional "Carnatic" music.As composers
Ranjani and Gayatri also compose music. Most of the Abhangs they sing at the end of their concerts have been set to music by the sisters. They have also set many other thukkada pieces, including bhajans. Here is a list of some of the songs set by the sisters:- Bolava Vitthala – Abhang – in Raga Bhatiyar.
- Pagaivanukkarulvai – Ragamalika
- Naachke Aaye – Bhajan – in Raga Basant.
- Raam Naam Mhanata – Abhang – in Raga Jhinjhoti
- Sharana Sharana – Abhang – in Raga Pilu.
- Dhanya Dhanya – Abhang – in Raga Durga.
- Sada Majzhe – Abhang – in Raga Mishra Malkauns.
- Je Ka Ranzale - Abhang in Raga Bairagi
- Maajha ha Vitthal - Abhang in Raga Pilu
- Nirvana Shatkam of Adi Sankara in Raga Sohini
- Janmo Janmi - Abhang in Raga Deshkar
- Mazaa Haa Vitthal - Abhang in Raga Pilu
- Jaau Devachiya Gaava - Abhng in Raga Bhimplas
- Pandariche Bhoot Mote – Abhang – in Raga Chandrakauns/Surya.
Awards
- Awarded Padma Shri in 2026 by Government of India
- Received the Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal from the Music Academy in 2016
- Received the title of Vani Kala Sudhakara from Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha in 2015
- Sangeeta Kala Siromani Award from Chennai Cultural Academy in 2016
- Lifetime Achievement award from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 2013
- Sanskriti Awards, instituted by Sanskriti Foundation, New Delhi in 2008
- Title of "Isai Peroli" from the Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai in Dec 2005.
- Kalki Krishnamurthi Memorial Award in 2004
- Yogam Nagaswami Award of the Music Academy
- National Eminence Award
- Recipients of the Government of India Talent Search Scholarship at the age of ten.
- Winners of the First Prize in the All India Radio National Competition for Violin.
Albums
Ranjani and Gayatri have various albums to their credit. Here is a list of some of the albums that have been released:Kurinji Malar Anandam – Journey Into BlissUn Thiruvadi Charanam ParamanandamPravaahamRama BhaktiDecember Season 2001 Kutcheri Madrasil Margazhi 2003 Madrasil Margazhi 2004 Madrasil Margazhi 2005 Madrasil Margazhi 2006 Madhuryam – Violin DuetDual HarmonyThe Awakening - Ranjani–Gayatri's first vocal albumThendralSamaanamSaravanabhavaAmbujam – Krithis of Ambujam Krishna Paadaravindam Kshetradanam Kutcheri 2010 Kutcheri 2011 Gems of Carnatic Music Vaibhavam 2011 Vaibhavam 2012- Vaibhavam 2014
- Vaibhavam 2017
- Vaibhavam 2018
- Kannan Thiruvadi
- Vaibhavam 2019
- Vaibhavam 2020
- Ka Shanmuka
- Jaya Jayavanti