Rithvik Raja

Rithvik Raja
Background information
Also known as	Rithvik
Born	(1989-03-09) 9 March 1989 (age 35) Chennai, India
Genres	Indian classical music
Occupation	Carnatic Vocalist
Years active	2001 – Present
Website	http://www.rithvikraja.in

Rithvik Raja (born 9 March 1989) is a Carnatic Musician (South Indian Classical Music) from India. He has performed in concerts in India and overseas. Since January 2016, Rithvik is married to Bharatanatyam artiste Shweta Prachande.

Early life and background

Rithvik Raja was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He began learning Carnatic music at the age of 5. He had his initial training under Sudha Raja (his mother) for vocal music. Subsequently, after developing a good understanding of the basics and foundation for 6 years, he was trained by Sulochana Pattabhiraman for 2 years. At the age of 13, he started learning from T.M. Krishna,^[1] who is one of the leading figures in the Carnatic music circuit today. Training under Krishna has given Rithvik a larger perspective of music and a passion to strive harder in innovating and excelling within the boundaries of classicism.^[2]

Education

His schooling in Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Mylapore, Chennai. He went on to receive his B.A. degree in Economics from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Madras. He also completed a one year Multimedia course from Image Infotainment, Alwarpet. He is currently^[when?] studying for a degree in Sound Engineering at SAE Institute of Technology.

Career

Rithvik has been giving public performances and concerts since a very young age. Today, he has performed in all the leading institutions in places such as Chennai as well as Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Delhi and other places in India. He has also toured Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka. Apart from performances, he currently heads as the President of an organisation called The Youth Association for Classical Music that deals with spreading the awareness of Classical Music among the youth. Rithvik is known for his solid voice with perfect pitch, mastery over laya and adherence to classicism.^[3]

Rithvik's music and his commitment to the artform have led him to tour and perform in a number of esteemed venues across the globe. His has recently completed tours in New Zealand, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia to name a few.

Awards and titles

• Bala Rasika Award 2004 - Carnatica, Chennai
• Best Male Vocalist Award 2005 - RA Puram Bhaktha Jana Sabha, Chennai
• Most Promising Youngster Award 2006 - Ganamukundapriya, Chennai
• Best Concert Award 2007 - VDS Arts Academy, Chennai
• Best Junior Vocalist Award 2008 - Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai
• Best Male Vocalist Award 2009 - Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai
• Best Ragam Tanam Pallavi Award 2011 - Music Forum, Chennai
• Best Male Sub-Senior Vocalist 2011 - Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Chennai
• Maharajapuram Santhanam Award 2012 - Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
• Isai Chudar 2012 - Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai
• Yuva Kala Bharathi 2012 - Bharat Kalachar, Chennai

References

1. "YACM Turns 25". The Hindu. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
2. "Music has shaped my thought process".
3. "Perfect Control over Laya". The Hindu. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2011.

External links

• Rithvik Raja
• Youth Association for Classical Music
• YACM Interview
• Article on Core Values of Classical Music
• Influence of Internet on students of Arts
• Article on YACM's 25th Anniversary
• Article on Youth influence in Carnatic Music
• Rithvik sharing with his counter parts from the North
• Rithvik interviewed about Pallavi singing in a concert
• Rithvik & his designing interests