Nandakumar has been learning Carnatic music since the age of 12. He started with violin but moved on to learning vocal music and different instruments like Veena, Harmonium, Tabla, Mridangam, until he decided to focus only on Flute. He is a student of Padmashri Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. N. Ramani since 1996. He is currently under the tutelage of Dr. Ramani’s disciple, Bangalore Ganakalashree L. V. Mukund.
He has been awarded the title ‘Venu Ganamrutha Mani’ by Chalappuram Pappa’s Karnataka Sangeetha Vidyalayam in 2010. He has been giving concerts regularly at Srimad Thyagaraja Venkataramana Bhagavata Mahotsava Sabha, Salem and Ramani’s Academy of Flute, Bangalore and Chennai.
He has a Master’s degree in Music from the University of Madras. Nandakumar and his wife K T Sowmya, who is also a Carnatic Vocalist, have started a trust by name, Shruthiranjani Educational and Cultural Trust, through which they are promoting art and culture, encouraging young talent to perform on stage, using music as a therapy for children with autism, and supporting veteran artists financially and medically when they are no longer able to perform. Shruthiranjani Trust sponsors concerts regularly and provides sponsorship for deserving poor children to continue their music education. He is also video recording concerts for free and uploading on the YouTube channel by name Shruthiranjani.
Performances:
- Srimad Thyagaraja Venkataramana Bhagavata Mahotsava Sabha, Salem – 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023
- Sri Prasanna Varadaraja Swamy Temple, Lakshmipuram - 2023
- Laldas Venkataramana Temple, OTC Road Bangalore – 2004, 2013 to 2023
- Marriage concerts – 18 – 2009-2022
- Sri Veerapratapa Anjaneyaswaami Gudi, Belaguru - Dec 2018
- Gana Kala Parishad - Nov 2018
- Aumkar festival, Chennai – 2016, 2017
- Ramani’s Academy of Flute, Chennai – 1998, 2011 to 2016
- Somanath temple, Nama Malai, Salem - 2016
- Nandana Samskrutha Sangha, Krishna Gardens, Bangalore – 2016
- Rotary Club, Salem - 2016
- Rotary Club, Rajarajeshwari Nagar Bangalore – 2012, 2015
- Kala Sampada - 2016
- Ettayapuram Muthuswamy Dikshitar Samadhi - 2015
- Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, Le Mont, Chicago – 2014
- Salem Sangeetha Vidwad Sabha – 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2013
- Devi Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore – 2008, 2013
- Ramani’s Academy of Flute, Bangalore – 2004 to 2011
- Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram, Mysore – 2011
- Ganesha Festival, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore – 2011
- Chalappuram Pappa School of Carnatic Music, Salem – 2010
- Pazhani Subramania Pillai Memorial Concert, Tiruppur – 2009
- Youth Music (Ilaignar Isai) Program - All India Radio, Chennai – 1999
- Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, Cleveland – 1999
- Sri Panduranganathar Temple, Salem – 1998, 2001
Youtube links: https://youtu.be/mePscW4sbSg
https://www.facebook.com/1236015969/videos/814041132628136/
