Sreevalsan J. Menon

Sreevalsan J. Menon is an Indian Carnatic vocalist and a music composer from Kerala.

Dr. Sreevalsan J. Menon
Background information
BornTrichur, Kerala[1]
OriginKunissery, Palakkad, Kerala, India
GenresClassical
Carnatic
Occupation(s)Singer, composer
Years active2001-present

Biography

After initial training under Rajalakshmi Krishnan (disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar) and violinist T.V. Ramani at Thrissur, Menon had much of his advanced tutelage under the late Neyyattinkara Vasudevan. Menon is an 'A' grade artist of All India Radio and has given concerts all over the country including the National Concerts of AIR and Doordarshan. He has received several awards including Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award 2013,[2] from the Madras Music Academy, and a title from Krishna Gana Sabha, also in Chennai, besides such institutions of repute in the Deccan. He has also participated in Music Transcends, a symphony held at Washington, D.C. in 2004, integrating Western and Indian classical music. His jugalbandis with Hindustani vocalist Ramesh Narayan and late Kathakali musicians Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri and Kalamandalam Hyderali have been widely appreciated.

Menon's two songs ("I Be Here" and "I Have Secrets") and background score for Saint Dracula has been qualified for songs and original score categories of 85th Academy Awards.[3]

The background score by Sreevalsan for the film Ottaal which won the crystal bear at the Berlin festival 2016 was praised for its laid back music in the award citation.[4]

Known for the spiritual quality of his renditions, Sreevalsan's carnatic music style is marked by a majestic sweep in Krithi rendering, brevity in alapana, meaningful Niraval elaborations; all in sync with a perfect alignment to Sruthi.

Sreevalsan has also carved a niche area for himself through his thematic musical productions on the Rains, Seasons, Rasas and Temples of Kerala.

Personal life

Menon is married to Indu since 8 September 1996 and they have a daughter Subadra and a son Narayanan who are also known for their musical talent.[5]

Career

Menon's music albums are fresh and innovative. They include Vanaprastham, a musical interpretation of the famous short story by M.T. Vasudevan Nair; Monsoon Anuraga a musical experience on monsoon rains. Vismaya, a fantasy video album featuring Artist Namboodiri, M T Vasudevan Nair and menon himself. He has given Carnatic vocal performances and lecture demonstrations throughout India, the Middle East, UK, US, Canada and Africa.

Menon works as Professor at the Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur, and has a Ph D in Agricultural Extension from IARI, New Delhi. (He earned his doctorate with research on the social impact of rubber cultivation.) A native of Kunissery in Palakkad district, Menon lives in the temple town of Tripunithura off Kochi.

Films
Year Film Language Notes
2008My Mother's LaptopMalayalam
2010T. D. Dasan Std. VI BMalayalam
2012Saint Dracula 3DEnglishShortlisted for Oscar Award for Best Song and Best Background Score
2014London BridgeMalayalam
SwapaanamMalayalam
VidooshakanMalayalam
2015LohamMalayalam
OttaalMalayalamBackground Score
PriyamanasamMalayalam
AmoebaMalayalamBackground Score
AnarkaliMalayalamSong: Over N Over [6]
2016Edavappathy MalayalamBackground Score
2017Nilavariyathe MalayalamBackground Score
The great Indian road journeyBackground Score
2018Appuvinte Sathyanweshanam MalayalamBackground Score
Padmini (film)MalayalamMusic & Background Score
2019Run Kalyani MalayalamBackground Score
Kenjira MalayalamMusic & Background Score
Gramavrikshathile Kuyil MalayalamLead Actor, Music & Background Score [7]
John MalayalamBackground Score

Albums
  • Krishna - A Musical Reflection
  • Vanaprastham
  • Kshetranjali
  • Monsoon Anuraga
  • Classical Encounters - with guru Sri. Neyyatinkara Vasudevan
  • Vismaya - Emotional Expressions: audio & music video album with Bini Panicker
  • Manasa Smarami
  • Madhuram Gayati
  • Ananda Poonkatru
  • Sree Guruvayurappan Gananjali : Vol - 3
  • Jugal Bandi : Vol 1 & 2 - with Kalamandalam Shankaran Embranthiri & Meledam Narayanan
  • Sringaram
  • Begane Baro
  • Ramanan
  • Bhavayami
  • Navarasa Thillana
  • Irayimman Thampi Kritis
  • Rituleela
  • Hare
  • Swami Ayyappan
  • The genius of Kunjan Nambiar

References
  1. http://www.sreevalsanmenon.com/profile.html
  2. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-sangeetha-nataka-akademi-announces-kalashri-awards/article5335032.ece
  3. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/carnatic-musician-sreevalsan-work-in-saint-dracula-nominated-for-oscars/1/237832.html
  4. https://www.berlinale.de/en/das_festival/preise_und_juries/preise_generation/index.html
  5. http://shevlinsebastian.blogspot.in/2014_01_01_archive.html
  6. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-flair-for-verse/article8195250.ece
  7. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kp-kumaran-on-his-movie-about-poet-kumaran-asan-gramavrikshathile-kuyil/article30981669.ece
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