Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar

Flute artiste Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar continues in the tradition of her famous gurus: the Sikkil Sisters--Kunjumani & Neela. In playing style, Mala combines the strongest aspects of both Kunjumani's clear classic lines with Neela's flair and expressiveness.

Mala imbibed through her mothers the flute artistry of their peternal uncle, Azhiyur Narayanaswamy Iyer and the rigorous rhythmic training given by their mrudungam playing father, Azhiyur Natesa Iyer. Other major influences on Mala's playing are the expertise and repertoire of noted vocalist and teacher Radha Viswanathan and of Radha's mother and guru M.S.Subbulakshmi whose family Mala joined by marriage.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

1997 – VISIT TO MAURITIUS ON A CONCERT TOUR

1999 – FIRST INDIAN TO REPRESENT "THE NATIONAL FLUTE CONVENTION" HELD AT ATLANTA, USA.

1999 – CONCERT TOUR OF USA SPONSORED BY CARNATIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA.

2000 – PRESENTED A PAPER "THE MAGIC FLUTE" FOR ALL INDIA WIND INSTRUMENT CONFERENCE HELD BY CHEMBUR FINE ARTS, MUMBAI.

2000 and 2001 – WORKED AS A VISITING PROFESSOR FOR FLUTE AT THE GOVERNMENT MUSIC COLLEGE, CHENNAI.

2000 September, RECEIVED THE KALKI CENTENARY AWARD FROM THE KALKI MEMORIAL TRUST.

2000 December, RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS TITLE OF "ISAI PEROLI" FROM THE KARTIK FINE ARTS, CHENNAI.

2001 January, 2004 January - RECEIVED THE M.D.RAMANATHAN AWARD FROM "THE MUSIC ACADEMY" FOR A SENIOR FLUTIST.

2001 March, VISITED DUBAI AND ABUDHABI IN CONNECTION WITH FLUTE CONCERTS. THE PERFORMANCE WAS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL.

10. 2002 November, Received the title of NADAKKANAL.
11. 2003 March, 2003 November, Visited SINGAPORE on a concert tour.
12. Released a number of Audio Cassettes and CDs under various Companies like HMV Saregama, Media dreams, Gita cassettes, Jass Visions etc

13. 2003 October, Received the title of " VENUGAANA SIRONMANI" at DUBAI by Dubai Thamizh family.
14. 2004 April, Concert tour of the USA in connection with the
Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival. The program was sponsored
By BHAIRAVI FINE ARTS and the same was highly successful.