Akkarai Sornalatha
Akkarai Sornalatha is a distinguished Carnatic violinist and vocalist hailing from a lineage steeped in musical tradition. Born into the Akkarai family, she was mentored from a young age by her father, Akkarai S. Swamynathan, a revered violinist and founder of the Swara Raga Sudha school of music. Her musical lineage traces back to her grandfather, Suchindram S.P. Sivasubramaniam, a prolific musician and composer, and her grandmother, R. Sornambal, a harikatha exponent and music teacher. Sornalatha began her formal training in vocal and violin under her father’s guidance and has also studied under eminent musicians such as O.V. Subramaniam, Padmabhushan P.S. Narayanaswamy, and Chitravina N. Ravikiran. She is the younger sister of Akkarai S. Subhalakshmi, with whom she performs as the renowned Akkarai Sisters.
Sornalatha is an A-Grade artist in both vocal and violin at All India Radio and Doordarshan. She is a gold medalist in M.A. Music from the University of Madras. Her performances have graced prestigious venues worldwide, including the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai. She has collaborated with eminent artists such as Chitravina N. Ravikiran, T.M. Krishna, Shrimushnam V. Raja Rao, Hyderabad Sisters, P. Unnikrishnan, S. Shashank, and others. Her accolades include the “Best Violinist” award from the Indian Fine Arts Society and the “Kalki Krishnamurthy” memorial award.
Sornalatha’s contributions extend beyond performance; she is dedicated to preserving and propagating Carnatic music through teaching and mentorship. Her disciples continue to uphold the traditions she embodies, ensuring the perpetuation of this rich musical heritage. As part of the Akkarai Sisters, she has introduced Carnatic music to international audiences, performing in various countries and collaborating with artists across genres.
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