25 Facts About Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam

Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam was born on 25 November 1956 and is a renowned mridangam Vidwan.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam was born in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, India, coming from a family of traditional musicians.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam started his vocal training under his mother, Sangeetha Vidushi Smt.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam accompanied his mother in concerts from the age of nine.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam won several prizes in all the Sabhas in Chennai as a young mridangist.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam played at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony held in Barcelona, Spain.

Sri Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam was interested in spirituality from a young age and visited several religious ashrams and mutts in South India.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam was conferred with the title "Mridanga Vadya Mani" by Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt, making him the youngest recipient of this award among many other veterans.

Dr Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam is a renowned musician who has had the privilege of sharing the stage with numerous year artists.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has accompanied three generations of musicians throughout his career and has represented India in numerous cross-continent and cross-cultural festivals across the globe as an ambassador of Indian Classical Music.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has performed alongside many veteran musicians from both Indian and Western music systems.

Dr Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has played in several fundraising concerts for various social and national causes, such as the Kargil Fund and organizations like the Shankara Nethralaya and the Cancer Society.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has given many lecture demonstrations and concerts for the youth under the organization SPIC MACAY and represented ICCR in many musical ventures across the country and around the world to create awareness and interest in classical music.

Dr Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has received several accolades for his contribution to classical Carnatic music.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the President of India in 2006 and the Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has been honoured by several Sabhas in Chennai and other places with Lifetime Achievement awards and titles.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has established a unique outfit of traditional Carnatic music called LAYA MADHURAA "Divine Ensemble," which features traditional instruments like the Nadaswaram, Flute, and other percussion instruments.

Dr Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam is the first classical artist in the South to have an exclusive fan club in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Maestro Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has led similar concerts in India, like the 76-Mridangam Ensemble in Kanchipuram, which was held in commemoration of the 76th birthday celebrations of Pujya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swami, Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Kanchipuram.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam belongs to the Tanjore style of playing, but he has developed his own style that focuses on improving the entire concert, not just the rhythm.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam is known for his energetic playing and his expertise in a variety of kritis and compositions.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has created his own music ensemble called 'LayaMadhura'.

Sri Thiruvaarur Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam is the founder and director of the Laya Madhuraa School of Music, which has its headquarters in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has to his credit two solo audio albums viz.

Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam has released a CD "Rhythmic Symphony", a percussion jugalbandi with Pandit Anindo Chatterjee on the tabla.