Carnatic Violin Recital by The Lalgudi Duo

The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY)-Ireland and Indian Classical Music Society of Ireland (ICMSI) in collaboration with Dublin City University—Ireland India Institute, humbly present Rāga Saṁvādaḥ.
As part of Rāga Saṁvādaḥ concert, we present Carnatic Violin Recital by Vidwan Lalgudi GJR Krishnan Ji and Vidushi Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi Ji, recipients of Sangita Kalanidhi award by Madras Music Academy and Sangeet Natak Akademi award by Government of India.

Vid. Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Vid. Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi are the torchbearers of one of India’s most distinguished musical legacies. They represent the fifth generation in the śiṣya paramparā of Saint Tyagaraja, and the direct inheritors of the celebrated Lalgudi bāṇi — a style renowned for its lyrical elegance, precision, and emotional depth. Trained under their grandfather Sri Lalgudi Gopala Iyer and their legendary father, the violin maestro and composer Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, they have absorbed the essence of the tradition while enhancing it with their own virtuosity, imagination, and individuality.

Vid. Krishnan’s music is distinguished by its sensitive tonality, spontaneity, and profound intellect. His masterful exploration of vivādi rāgas, innovative kalpanā svaras, and intricate korvais have been widely acclaimed by connoisseurs and fellow musicians alike. His artistry combines technical brilliance with a deep aesthetic sense, ensuring that every note reflects meaning and emotion. Vid. Vijayalakshmi’s music, by contrast, is marked by its rāga bhāva and saukhyam — serenity, subtlety, and depth. Her rāga ālāpanas reveal remarkable clarity and emotional richness, each unfolding with freshness and introspection. The legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar once remarked to her, “You have your father’s fingers,” a tribute to her artistry and musical sensitivity.

Together, the Lalgudi siblings are celebrated for their scintillating violin duets, which exemplify the ideals of balance, mutual respect, and deep musical communication. Their concerts are marked by pristine classicism, exquisite melody, and rhythmic sophistication. The siblings’ contrasting yet complementary styles merge seamlessly, creating a dialogue that is both spontaneous and deeply structured — a true embodiment of Rāga Saṁvādaḥ, the dialogue of melody. Both are also accomplished soloists and have accompanied several legendary vocalists and instrumentalists over the years, before choosing to focus on solo and duet performances.

As composers, Vid. Krishnan and Vid. Vijayalakshmi have contributed significantly to contemporary Carnatic repertoire. Vid. Krishnan’s collaborations include Jagat Pavani Ganga, Sai Nāthane Varuga Varuga, and several works for dance and orchestra. Vid. Vijayalakshmi has composed numerous varnams and tillanas, as well as melodic interpretations of the works of Ādi Śaṅkara, Mahākavi Bharathiyar, and Śuddhānanda Bhārati. Her orchestral composition Pañchabhūtam was staged by students in Dallas, USA. Together, they have created large-scale productions such as Rāga Rasa, Sambhavāmi Yuge Yuge, and Ūzh: The Divine Destiny, which merge classical structure with modern sensibility.

Beyond the stage, the siblings are deeply committed to education and cultural continuity. Through their trusts — the Lalgudi Trust and Krutagnya — they support young violinists, promote violin craftsmanship, and use music as a medium for social good. Vid. Krishnan’s ViolinWise initiative has trained Indian luthiers to produce and maintain high-quality violins, addressing a long-standing gap. Vid. Vijayalakshmi’s Krutagnya provides platforms for emerging artists and promotes musical awareness. In April 2024, the duo launched the Lalgudi Music Academy (LAMA) in the USA, a significant step toward preserving and propagating the Lalgudi bāṇi globally.

Their artistry has been recognised with numerous honours, including the Sangita Kalanidhi (2022) from The Music Academy, Chennai, Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sangeetha Choodamani from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, and the National Eminence Award from Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai, among others. Their music stands as a shining example of discipline, grace, innovation, and devotion — a living tribute to the timeless legacy of the Lalgudi tradition.

Lalgudi Duo is accompanied on Mridangam by Vidwan Somasundaram Desigar.

Vidwan Sri Somasundaram Desigar is one of the leading Carnatic musicians in Europe, widely respected as both a performer and teacher. Born into a family dedicated to music—he is the son of the late Sri Ayyakkannu Desigar, former Principal of Ramanathan Music Academy—Sri Somasundaram Desigar began his mridangam training under the tutelage of the late Sri A.S. Ramanathan at the Ramanathan Academy in Sri Lanka. He later advanced his studies with the renowned mridanga maestro, Guru Kaaraikkudi R Mani, and had the rare privilege of being present at the inauguration of Sruthi Laya Seva (now Sruthi Laya Kendra, Chennai) in 1986. He subsequently became the first resident teacher at this institution, dedicated to promoting Carnatic percussion.

Based in London for over 35 years, Sri Somasundaram Desigar is the Head of Percussion at the Oriental Fine Arts Academy of London (OFAAL), where he has trained several hundred students, many of whom have completed their Diploma and Post Diploma under his guidance. He is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of percussionists, regularly running seminars and workshops for young players and teachers throughout the UK and Europe.

As a performer, Sri Somasundaram Desigar has graced the stages of many reputed sabhas in India, including the Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Sruthi Laya Kendra, and Tamil Sangam, as well as numerous concerts and festivals in Europe, Australia, Canada, and India. He has accompanied eminent musicians such as Sri Lalgudi G Jayaraman, Lalgudi G J R Krishnan, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Smt Bombay Jayashri, Shri Neiveli Santhanagopalan, Sri Rajesh Vaidya, Sri Sikkil Gurucharan, and many more.

His contributions to the field have been recognized with distinctions such as the title “Achariya Ratna” from mridangam maestro Shri T.V. Gopalakrishnan. Through his organization, "Sruthi Laya Kendra Rasikipriya," Sri Somasundaram Desigar continues to actively promote young musical talent and remains a guiding force in the London Carnatic music circuit, deeply revered as a teacher and mentor by his students.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

All Hallows Chapel, DCU All Hallows Campus, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra,, Dublin, Ireland

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