R.K. Shriramkumar

R.K. Shriramkumar, born on 4 October 1966, is a virtuoso Carnatic violinist and one of the most sought-after accompanists in South Indian classical music. He hails from the celebrated Rudrapatna family of musicians from Karnataka, being the grandson of violinist R.K. Venkatarama Shastri and grand-nephew of R.K. Srikanthan. He received his initial violin lessons from Vidushi Smt. Savitri Satyamurthy, followed by training in vocal music and violin from his grandfather R.K. Venkatarama Shastry. He later studied violin under Vidvan V.V. Subrahmanyam and vocal music under Vidvan D.K. Jayaraman. His skills were further honed through accompanying legendary Carnatic musicians including Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, D.K. Pattammal, and Palghat K.V. Narayanaswamy. Beyond accompaniment, Shriramkumar is a refined lyricist-composer who has become the Carnatic world's favourite tunesmith, setting to music vintage unsung lyrics left orphaned by the passing of their composers. He is also sought after for his lucid presentations on Carnatic music topics.