RKS
Carnatic Vocalist

R. K. Srikantan

Born 25 February 1910 · Karnataka — Died 17 February 2014

Awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1995 for Carnatic vocal excellence.

Rudrapatna Krishnashastri Srikantan, known as R. K. Srikantan, was a vocalist of the Carnatic musical tradition of South Indian music. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1995.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

R. K. Srikantan gave a full-fledged Carnatic concert just days before his death at age 94, making him one of the rare nonagenarian performers in the tradition.

The Story

1
🌟 Born on 14 January 1920 in Rudrapatna, Karnataka, R. K. Srikantan entered a world steeped in music and storytelling, his father an orator and harikatha vidwan shaping his earliest lessons.
2
By the 1940s, after formal education at Maharaja College, Mysore, Srikantan advanced his Carnatic skills under his brother R. K. Venkatarama Shastri, a violin accompanist to M S Subbulakshmi, and further refined his art with Veene Subbanna and Chowdiah.
3🎶 Through the 1950s and beyond, Srikantan attended concerts in Mysore's Wodeyar era, absorbing influences from nadaswaram vidwans and legends like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and G N Balasubramaniam, shaping his signature clarity in pronunciation and pitch.
4In 1979, the Government of India honored him with the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, recognizing decades of dedication to Carnatic vocal tradition.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Despite his advanced age, Srikantan performed a full Carnatic concert just days before his death in 2014 at age 94, an unusual feat in classical music circles.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Rudrapatna, Karnataka
Born to a Sankethi Brahmin family with a rich musical heritage including his father and grandfather.
1920
📚
Education
Graduated from Maharaja College, Mysore
Completed his BA degree while also intensifying his Carnatic music training under family mentors.
c.1940
🏅
Award
Received Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Honored by the Government of India for his contributions to Carnatic vocal music.
1979
🏅
Award
Received Karnataka State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Recognized by his home state for excellence in the arts.
1981
🏅
Award
Awarded Sangeetha Kalanidhi by Madras Music Academy
Received one of Carnatic music’s most prestigious honors.
1995
🏅
Award
Conferred Padma Bhushan Award
Received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India for his contributions to music.
2011
🕊️
Death
Death at age 94
Passed away days after performing a full concert, ending a nearly century-long musical journey.
2014
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Srikantan's grandfather, Veena Narayanaswamy, was a contemporary of Veene Sheshanna and Veene Subbanna, linking R. K. Srikantan to a lineage of 19th-century Carnatic instrumentalists.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

His brother, R. K. Venkatarama Shastri, frequently accompanied M S Subbulakshmi on violin, connecting Srikantan’s family directly to one of Carnatic music’s most iconic figures.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Srikantan was awarded the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979, followed by the state award in 1981, highlighting recognition at both levels early in his career.

No quote recorded for R. K. Srikantan yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
sAdhaneya hAdi: Documentary on Dr. R K Srikantan -Part3.mp4
·YouTube
More from this archive
sAdhaneya hAdi: Documentary on Dr. R K Srikantan -Part3.mp4
01
sAdhaneya hAdi: Documentary on Dr. R K Srikantan -Part3.mp4
YouTube
R K Srikantan - Vocal Recital - ಆರ್. ಕೆ. ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠನ್ ಹಾಡುಗಾರಿಕೆ
02
R K Srikantan - Vocal Recital - ಆರ್. ಕೆ. ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠನ್ ಹಾಡುಗಾರಿಕೆ
YouTube
Madurai Mani Iyer centenary celebrations -RK Srikantan Vocal
03
Madurai Mani Iyer centenary celebrations -RK Srikantan Vocal
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

R. K. Srikantan's emphasis on precise diction and pitch reshaped standards for Carnatic vocalists, influencing teaching methods in institutions like the Madras Music Academy. His longevity as a performer inspired generations to pursue lifelong dedication to classical music. His recognition by both state and central academies helped elevate Karnataka's role in Carnatic music beyond its traditional Tamil stronghold.

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