L. Subramaniam, Violinist, Composer
Violinist, Composer

L. Subramaniam

Born 23 July 1947 · Kerala

Composed the first Indian symphonies premiered by world-renowned orchestras.

Dr. Subramaniam Lakshminarayana is an Indian violinist, composer and conductor, trained in the classical Carnatic music tradition and Western classical music. He is also the first Indian to compose major symphonies that were premiered by some of the world’s greatest orchestras.

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A detail that
surprised us

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In 1985, L. Subramaniam’s 'Fantasy on Vedic Chants' was performed by the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, making him one of the few Indian composers to have a symphonic work premiered by a leading Western orchestra.

The Story

1
🎻 In 1953, at the tender age of six, L. Subramaniam gave his first public violin performance in Jaffna, where he had moved with his family, marking the start of a musical career deeply rooted in both Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil culture.
2
In 1973, Subramaniam began recording prolifically, eventually amassing over 200 albums, including collaborations with Western legends like Yehudi Menuhin and jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock.
3🎼 By 1983, he composed his 'Double Concerto for Violin and Flute,' blending Western scales with Indian microtonal intervals, a pioneering fusion that premiered at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
4In September 1985, his orchestral piece 'Fantasy on Vedic Chants' debuted with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta, a rare occasion when Indian symphonic composition was performed by a top Western orchestra.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1988
Padma Shri
2025
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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At age six, he won the All-India Radio national competition, receiving the best violinist prize from then-President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a rare honor for such a young musician.

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Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
L. Subramaniam performing at Summer Live Vancouver music festival (2011)
L. Subramaniam performing at Summer Live Vancouver music festival (2011)
2011
L. Subramaniam performing with his son Ambi Subramaniam at Bharat Bhavan Bhopal (2015)
L. Subramaniam photographed in Kolkata, India during a 2015 visit

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Madras, British India
Subramaniam Lakshminarayana was born in Madras (now Chennai) to accomplished musician parents V. Lakshminarayana Iyer and Seethalakshmi.
1947
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Career
First public violin performance
At age six, he gave his first public performance in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, beginning his lifelong musical career.
1953
⚡
Career
Started prolific recording career
He began recording extensively, eventually producing over 200 albums including collaborations with Western and jazz musicians.
1973
⚡
Career
Double Concerto premiered
His 'Double Concerto for Violin and Flute' premiered at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, blending Indian and Western musical elements.
1983
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Career
Fantasy on Vedic Chants premiere
New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta, performed Subramaniam’s orchestral work 'Fantasy on Vedic Chants'.
1985
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Career
Spring – Rhapsody composition
Composed 'Spring – Rhapsody,' a symphonic homage to Bach and Baroque music, showcasing his Western classical mastery.
1986
🌟
Other
Married playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy
Subramaniam married renowned Indian playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, with whom he later performed extensively.
1999
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
👤PERSONAL

Despite his full music career, Subramaniam completed an M.B.B.S. degree and briefly worked as a registered General Practitioner before committing solely to music.

02 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His 1983 'Double Concerto for Violin and Flute' uniquely fused Western classical scales with Indian microtonal intervals, premiered at Los Angeles’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

03 / 06
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Subramaniam was among the early Carnatic musicians to perform a jugalbandhi with a Hindustani maestro, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, in the late 1970s, blending distinct Indian classical traditions.

No quote recorded for L. Subramaniam yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
IN CONVERSATION - DR. L . SUBRAMANIAM
More from this archive
IN CONVERSATION - DR. L . SUBRAMANIAM
01
IN CONVERSATION - DR. L . SUBRAMANIAM
Creating Magic with Music | A conversation with @ARRahman and L Subramaniam
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Creating Magic with Music | A conversation with @ARRahman and L Subramaniam
Fun masterclass Dr. L. Subramaniam X AR Rahman
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Fun masterclass Dr. L. Subramaniam X AR Rahman
Interviewing Kavita Krishnamurthy and L Subramaniam
04
Interviewing Kavita Krishnamurthy and L Subramaniam
Dr. L. Subramaniam in Bangkok on 4 Nov 2017 : Part 1 of 3
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Dr. L. Subramaniam in Bangkok on 4 Nov 2017 : Part 1 of 3
Doctor Subramaniam gave up his medicine career to follow his heart
06
Doctor Subramaniam gave up his medicine career to follow his heart
2001 inDialog interview with Kavitha Subramanyam and L. Subramanyam
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2001 inDialog interview with Kavitha Subramanyam and L. Subramanyam
Dr L Subramaniam speaks regarding Vande Matram song
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Dr L Subramaniam speaks regarding Vande Matram song
Bharat Symphony - Movement 2 | Dr L Subramaniam | Liepaja Symphony Orchestra
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Bharat Symphony - Movement 2 | Dr L Subramaniam | Liepaja Symphony Orchestra
Symphony of Celebrations - Movement 2 - Liepaja Symphony Orchestra | Composed by Dr L Subramaniam
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Symphony of Celebrations - Movement 2 - Liepaja Symphony Orchestra | Composed by Dr L Subramaniam

🌱 What changed because of them

L. Subramaniam redefined the violin’s role in Indian music by integrating Carnatic and Western classical traditions, inspiring a generation of musicians to explore global fusion. His compositions for major orchestras, such as the New York Philharmonic and Oslo Philharmonic, helped place Indian symphonic music on the world stage. Through the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts, he institutionalized cross-genre musical education, fostering new talent in both Indian and Western classical music.

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