Sreevalsan J. Menon is an Indian Carnatic vocalist and a music composer from Kerala.
Dr. Sreevalsan J. Menon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Trichur, Kerala[1] |
| Origin | Kunissery, Palakkad, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Classical Carnatic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, composer |
| Years active | 2001-present |
Biography
editAfter 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 TOP' 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]
He has been awarded the Best music director for the television series "Etho Janmakalppanyil" in the Asianet Television Awards 2024.
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.
Sreevalsan is a renowned speaker who delivers sessions on music. He has also been a TEDx speaker, presenting his innovative proposition on the ten most popular music scales worldwide.[5]
Personal life
editMenon 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.[6]
Career
edit
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.)
Sreevalsan has directed more than 100 agricultural technology dissemination videos. He currently specializes in studying and documenting rituals, folklore, folk art forms and other cultural ethos in relation to the agricultural history of Kerala under the project cult, culture and agriculture.[7] Some of the prominent works that have been directed by him include Padayaniyum Karshika Samskrithiyum, Mayilpeeli Thookkam/ Arjuna Nritham, Mudiyett and Annam The Swan.
A native of Kunissery in Palakkad district, Menon lives in the temple town of Tripunithura off Kochi.
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | My Mother's Laptop | Malayalam | |
| 2010 | T. D. Dasan Std. VI B | Malayalam | |
| 2012 | Saint Dracula 3D | English | Shortlisted for Oscar Award for Best Song and Best Background Score |
| 2014 | London Bridge | Malayalam | |
| Swapaanam | Malayalam | ||
| Vidooshakan | Malayalam | ||
| 2015 | Loham | Malayalam | |
| Ottaal | Malayalam | Background Score | |
| Priyamanasam | Malayalam | ||
| Amoeba | Malayalam | Background Score | |
| Anarkali | Malayalam | Song: Over N Over [8] | |
| 2016 | Edavappathy | Malayalam | Background Score |
| 2017 | Nilavariyathe | Malayalam | Background Score |
| The great Indian road journey | Background Score | ||
| 2018 | Appuvinte Sathyanweshanam | Malayalam | Background Score |
| Padmini (film) | Malayalam | Music & Background Score | |
| 2019 | Run Kalyani | Malayalam | Background Score |
| Kenjira | Malayalam | Music & Background Score | |
| Gramavrikshathile Kuyil | Malayalam | Lead Actor, Music & Background Score [9] | |
| John | Malayalam | Background Score | |
| 2022 | Khedda (film) | Malayalam | Music |
Albums
edit- 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
- Yamuna
- Ramayana Geetham
- Hridhi
- Advaita Dasa Kritis
- Tambura Hymns
- Poornathrayeesham Ashraye
References
edit- ^ "Sreevalsan Menon : Carnatic music vocal artist,Kerala,India". Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi announces Kalashri awards". The Hindu. 10 November 2013.
- ^ "Carnatic musician Sreevalsan's work in 'Saint Dracula' nominated for Oscars".
- ^ "Awards and Juries in the Generation section".
- ^ "Music Beyond Borders : Ten Popular Music scales in the World - TEDxEdappally".
- ^ "Shevlin's world".
- ^ "Kerala Agricultural University".
- ^ Anand, Shilpa Nair (5 February 2016). "A flair for verse". The Hindu.
- ^ Venkiteswaran, Cs (5 March 2020). "'Gramavrikshathile Kuyil' follows the poetic and personal journey of Kumaran Asan, says director KP Kumaran". The Hindu.
External links
edit- Sreevalsan J. Menon - Official website
- 75 Original Songs Tune Up For 2012 Oscar®
- Will Sreevalsan bring home an Oscar?
- 104 Original Scores in 2012 Oscar® Race
- Video Interview - Carnatic musician, Vocalist - Sreevalsan J. Menon
- The Hindu - Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan and Sreevalsan J. Menon
- Swathithirunal.org
- The Hindu - AWESOME TRIO: Sreevalsan J. Menon, flanked by M.T. Vasudevan Nair, writer, and artist Namboodiri
- Newindpress - When dusk settles...
- Video - Vismaya Music Album
- My Mother's Laptop - Music & Background Score Archived 4 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- The Hindu - A musical version of Changampuzha’s ‘Ramanan'
- The Hindu - WELL composed!
- Sreevalsan with Nithyasree Mahadevan
- Remembering Mandolin U. Sreenivas (Malayalam)
- Interview with Sreevalsan J Menon - Times of India
- Sreevalsan J. Menon at IMDb
- Sreevalsan praises Action Hero Biju