Vishnampet Natarajan Shankar popularly known as Calcutta V.N.Shankar, a Commerce Graduate from Calcutta University is a young and upcoming Carnatic Vocal Musician who with an enthusiastic smile on his face, is all set for a concert at any time.

Vishnampet lies 60 kms towards South of Tiruvarur, where the great musical Trinity was born. Hailing from a family keenly interested in music, he learnt his preliminaries from Shri. Sankara Bagavathar, Shri. A.Anantharaman and Shri.V.V.Ramakrishnan of Calcutta. Later he equipped himself under Sangitha Kalanidhi Shri.D.K.Jayaraman and Shri.O.S.Thiagarajan.

He also had the opportunity of learning under Sangeetha Bhushanam Shri.O.V.Subramanyam and Oothookkadu Shri.Muthukrishan Iyer. Presently he is receiving advanced training under the able guidance of Sangitha Kala Acharya Vidwan Shri.P.S.Narayanaswamy and Prof.T.R.Subramaniam.

His Structure of Music

Though it is a great privilege for him to be associated with the Semmangudi School of Music, he has imbibed his own style of singing. Being blessed with a soft and melodious voice, his unique way of rendering Raga Alapana and smooth rendering of Krithis, Niravals and Swaras are remarkable. Above all, his perfect sruthi and excellent control over Laya is a great asset to his melodic voice thereby heightening the overall effect of the performance.

His Status

Since childhood he has participated in several music competitions and won prizes and appreciation of one and all. The tremendous talent, promise and potential shown from the age of 8 years has been carefully nurtured and stood him in good stead all these years culminating into a musician for the future. He has given many concerts in and outside Chennai.

Calcutta V.N.Shankar visited the United States last year and gave successful concerts in Atlanta, Raleigh, Washington and Nashville apart from singing in Shakthi Dance Group for a couple of programs alongwith the renowned Hindustani vocalist Smt. Lakshmi Shankar.

He is a ‘B’ High grade artiste of All India Radio, Chennai. He has also participated in the private TV channel programmes like Raj TV and Vijay TV. He has also released an audio cassette under the banner of “Kalavardhani” which is being listened and appreciated by all. He has accompanied his gurus in most of their music concerts and also given solo performances in and outside Chennai under the auspices of various prestigious Sabhas and esteemed institutions.

Apart from performing pure classical form of music, his ability to sing light/light classical music, ghazals & bhajans adds to the versatility of his music expositions. Further the knowledge of Hindi, Bengali, Sanskrit & Tamil which contributes in the rendering of compositions with perfect pause and proper pronunciation adds feather to his cap.

He has also got the distinction of leading the group rendering of Pancharatna Krithis of Saint Thyagaraja on many occasions. He has also participated many times in the Tiruvaiyyaru Festival held every year to pay homage to Saint Thyagaraja. He continues to give performances which are of high quality and consistency, applauded and acknowledged by the audience and appreciated by connoisseur’s of music with good and encouraging remarks on the Review columns of prestigious dailies.

Future Plans

He has plans to perform and propagate Carnatic Music within the country and abroad. His talent is bound to take him far and wide in his pursuit for musical perfection and excellence.

Press Reviewes

The recital of Calcutta V.N.Shankar was noteworthy. He presented classical aesthetics in an enjoyable style. His neat diction of the pieces attracted attention. He is endowed with the quality of awareness to sustain sruthi successfully. - RV – The Hindu

Promising Youngster

Calcutta V.N.Shankar gave an appreciable concert. Better audience response is envisaged for such concerts. - ANV – News Today

Calcutta V.N.Shankar showed good promise in his vocal recital for Sri Krishna Gana Sabha. His fairly impressive essay of the raga with considerable classical thrust in its diction reflected his zeal to project its grandeur. The sequences of his swara texts were well ordered. His execution of the composition in the raga was palatable. His neraval and swara lines had sufficient classical flavour. The concluding bhajan in Desh registered satisfyingly. - RV – The Hindu

The youngsters featured in the afternoon slots of Indian Fine Arts showed tremendous promise and given proper direction should be able to make the grade. Classicism was very much in evidence and with more experience and innovative skill they could further enrich the treasure handed down by saints, savants and masters over the centuries. - TPR – The Hindu

Connoisseur’s Choice

Rasikas enjoyed Calcutta V.N.Shankar’s vocal concert. His voice was pleasant and kutcheri competence along with a genuine feeling for the music that he produced was evident. There was a touch of devotion in his rendering of krithis. Shankar’s alapanas blended tonal felicity with musical bhani sensitivity and generously displayed his raga vistara skill.

- T Nadam – The Telegraph - Calcutta

Sweet Voice

Calcutta V.N.Shankar’s vocal concert compelled attention as he has a sweet voice combined with sensitive musicality. The alapanas were sung in a way in which passion and imagination fused well to produce thrilling results. The compositions were sung superbly and in an unusually spirited form with bhakthi flowing. Shankar showed his virtuosity and technical skill in his alapanas and his swaraprastharas.

- Sruti – The Statesman - Calcutta

Praiseworthy

The performance of Calcutta V.N.Shankar for Sravanam at TTD was praiseworthy for its notable classical force. The tidiness of his delineation was completed with a smart session of neraval and swara rendition, which enabled him to endear himself to the audience. - RV - The Hindu

Plus

Calcutta V.N.Shankar gave excellent vocal support which added colour to the concert. - Spic Macay – Karaikudi Chapter

Calcutta V.N.Shankar is a performing artiste of a high standard with considerable concert experience. He deserves all encouragement.

- Sangitha Kala Acharya Shri.P.S.Narayanaswamy

Calcutta V.N.Shankar is earnestly devoted in the pursuit for musical excellence & perfection. In this direction, he is working to achieve highest musical proficiency that can take him to greater heights in the field of music. He deserves all encouragement in this regard.

- Sangeetha Vidwans Shri.B.V.Raman & Shri.B.V.Lakshmanan

Calcutta V.N.Shankar is a student of great promise. He has a melodious and powerful voice. His laya gnanam (knowledge) is commendable. He has given vocal support to me in some of my concerts and also giving solo performances. He deserves all encouragement. I wish him all success.

- Sangitha Kalanidhi (Late) Shri.D.K.Jayaraman

Cassette Release

Pre recorded cassettes under the banner of “Kalavardhani” is produced with the sole aim of bringing out the rich talent existing among the young Carnatic musicians of today and Calcutta V.N.Shankar is an excellent vocalist who deserves this kind of encouragement.

- Kalavardhani Cassettes

Pleasing Carnatic Recital

Calcutta V.N.Shankar gave ample proof of his musical acumen. No wonder, because he is the disciple of Sangeetha Kala Acharya Vidwan Shri.P.S.Narayanaswamy. His flashy ‘Birana Brova’ in Kalyani was pleasurable and the alapana was equally satisfying. His delineation of Karaharapriya with several charming sancharas held the attention. The Thyagaraja krithi ‘Ramaniyeta’ was rendered in chaste patanthara.

Sruti – The Statesman - Calcutta