Ep 133 - Harmonious Masters: Subramaniam and Kavita's 25-year musical voyage

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are honouring the dynamic musical partnership of Subramaniam Lakshminarayana and Kavita Krishnamurti, a couple who have elevated Indian Classical music to unprecedented heights.

Subramaniam Lakshminarayana, an accomplished Indian violinist, composer, and conductor, has been steeped in the traditions of classical Carnatic music and Western classical music. His discography, highlighted by the release of albums like "Global Fusion" in 1999, has garnered widespread critical acclaim. With over 200 recordings, Subramaniam has not only produced numerous solo albums but has also collaborated with renowned musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, Stéphane Grappelli, Ruggiero Ricci, and Jean-Pierre Rampal.

Joining her is Kavita Krishnamurti, an acclaimed Indian playback and classical singer who has left an indelible mark on the music industry with a staggering 50,000 recorded songs in 45 different Indian languages. Recognized for iconic tracks like "Hawa Hawaii," "Bole Chudiyan," "Kay Sera Sera," and "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast," she was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2005.

In this conversation with Smita Prakash, the duo reflects on their 25 years of musical partnership and its integral role in their love story. Kavita Krishnamurti delves into her journey from being a jingle singer to becoming one of Bollywood's leading playback singers. Meanwhile, Subramaniam Lakshminarayana shares insights into his unconventional path, obtaining an MBBS degree and later forsaking a medical career to pursue his passion for the violin. They also delve into the implications of artificial intelligence in the realm of music and singing. Subramaniam shares anecdotes of collaborating with legends like Yehudi Menuhin and Gangubai Hangal, while Kavita Krishnamurti reminisces about her experiences with stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar, and Manna Dey.