Vellore G. Ramabhadran

It is not enough to appreciate Ramabhadran as a supporting artiste of eminence. In the world of instrumental music, it is rare to find an artiste of merit rolled into an accompanist as well as a solo player. Mr. Ramabhadran is cast into such a mould by his illustrious father Konakkal Sri Gopalachariar. His Thani in a concert is always short and sweet. It would always enhance the musical recital without the displaying of technical exuberance. It is his firm belief that a Mridangist shares one third responsibility in making a concert successful. His support with the audience is never dull and tedious expections. No wonder he is sought after by leading musicians of different generations - nearly five decades. Fortunately, the Octogenarian doyen of Carnatic Music Semmangudi Sri Srinivasa Iyer is foremost Vocalist in encouraging him as an accompanist. Stalwarts of the past like Chembai Sri Vaidhyanatha Bhagavadar, Maharajapuram Sri Viswanatha Iyer, Ariyakudi Sri Ramanuja Iyer, Madurai Sri Mani Iyer, Musiri Sri Subramania Iyer, Sri G.N.Balasubramaniam, Maharajapuram Sri Santhanam liked to have him as an accompanist.

Mr. Ramabhadran has also participated in Tala Vadya ensembles an Jugalbandis all over and abroad. At Music Academy during the Presidentship of Sri D.K.Jayaraman he spoke on the technique of playing Mridangam especially for Kirtanas. He had also given demonstration lessons in USA and London.

Ramabhadran as an accompanist of solo instrumental music he is superb. He played for veteran flutist Sri T.R.Mahalingam and other top ranking instrumental musicians of Veena and Chitra Veena including the violin maestro Lalgudi Sri Jayaraman, Prof. Sri T.N.Krishnan, Dwaram Sri Venkatasami Naidu and others. Ramabhadran takes pride in having played for almost all the performances given by Sri Lalgudi both in India and abroad.

Ramabhadran is a recepient of several awards and honours like Sangeetha Choodamani, Kalaimamani, Talavilas, Sri Chowdiah Memorial Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, etc. The rotary club of Madras-East presented Vocational Service Award for the year 1991 for his excellent contribution in his vacation. In January 1994 Sankranti Sangeet Utsav by Murugappa Group paid its tribute as a Master of great skill.

The unofficial praises showered by the giants of music world reveal his dexterity of handling the instrument, Mridangam. As early as 1975 - the Mridangam Maestro Palghat Sri Mani Iyer referred his skill as - 'Brahma Layam' meaning, intuition to translate what he feels, to his fingers. The humorous Ariyakudi called him 'Nadhabhadran' when Ramabhadran was forced to play in the place of Palghat Sri Mani Iyer. These two honorifies sum up, what is Ramabhadran! Notwithstanding these decorations Ramabhadran is unassuming and contended, beloved of rasikas as well as artistes.