Hailing from Bangalore and now based in London, Jyotsna Srikanth is Europe’s foremost South Indian Carnatic violinist, renowned for her versatility, innovation, and technical mastery.
“An extraordinary and versatile violinist” (★★★★ The Guardian)
Jyotsna Srikanth presents and explores the lush green melodic possibilities in the Carnatic genre. Carnatic is another name for South Indian Classical music; a musical form that has seen few changes for centuries and that has steadily adapted itself from the temple music form to its current comprehensive system that has spread across continents.
“Captivating audiences with the intricate aesthetics and technical nuances of the Carnatic tradition, as interpreted through her innovative approach to the Western violin.” (World Music Central)
Her music illuminates Carnatic musical tradition in kaleidoscopic colour. Approaching every musical interaction with a forward-thinking outlook and elastic expressivity, Jyotsna is just as likely to be found reveling in raga rotations or jamming in free jazz, often marrying the two.
Jyotsna Srikanth will be presenting a traditional, unspoilt and orthodox form of Carnatic music along with Abhiram Sahathevan on mridangam (two-sided drum) and Ram Sivasubramaniam on khanjira (one sided drum).
“A demonstration of Indo-jazz with a southern slant at its finest.” (★★★★ Jazzwise)
About Jyotsna
Beginning her musical journey at the age of five with vocal lessons from her mother Vidushi Rathna Srikantiah, a Carnatic vocalist and teacher, she later trained in violin under the legendary seven-string maestro Sri R.R. Keshavamurthy.
She went on to a successful career lending her talent to the film industry, playing on over four hundred South Indian cinematic soundtracks, working with icons like Ilaiyaraja. Her discography includes 10 solo albums spanning both classical and contemporary works.
Upon moving to London her work expanded to include television and festival engagements including work for the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, WOMAD, BBC Proms and the Red Violin Festival. She also lectures in music, having delivered her discourse at the University of Cambridge and Liverpool University.
Her performances are marked by a unique blend of expressive “bhava” and refined fingering technique—refined over more than three decades of musical exploration. Debuting on stage at the age of nine, Dr. Srikanth has since graced concert halls and festivals around the world, presenting solo recitals, jugalbandhi collaborations, jazz-fusion projects, and global cross-genre performances.
She is also a guest faculty member at institutions where she teaches comparative studies between Indian and Western violin techniques and Indian and western music. Her workshops on Indian music and Indian violin are popular. With her innovative spirit, deep-rooted knowledge of Carnatic tradition, and commitment to global musical dialogue, Jyotsna continues to be a powerful ambassador for Indian classical music on the world stage.
Jyotsna has been invited by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra in Hungary, VMU Chamber Orchestra in Lithuania, Krystal Quartet in Sweden, Ligeti Quartet in UK and Vindla Quartet in Sweden to perform her composition, the Indian Violin Concerto, Raga Seasons.
Brought to Arnolfini by the Asian Arts Agency.