Archana Bennur


Karnatak Classical Vocalist

Archana Bennur

 

Born into a family of traditional classical musicians, where the heritage of authentic classical music has been passed from generation to generation, Archana is the granddaughter of Swaramurthy V.N. Rao – grandson of Vainika Shikhamani Veena Sheshanna, the well known erudite musician of Mysore.

Highlights:

  • Numerous Karnatak Classical performances in various Television Channels and on All India Radio.
  • M.M. (Master of Music), College of Fine Arts, University of Mysore, Karnataka, INDIA, Gold Medal (for First rank - Highest marks for both year I and II).
  • B.M.(Bachelors of Music) Madras University, Chennai, INDIA.
  • Graded Artist from All India Radio.

Training in Music:

She had the initial training from her mother Dr. Rama V. Bennur and further training under Vid. Neela Ramgopal , Vid. Rajashree Aravind and also from Dr.R.N. Srilata. She also learnt from Vid. S. Sowmya at Chennai and is currently learning from Vidushi. Koviladi Kala .

Performance Profile:

She has given concerts on various prestigious platforms like
  • Shanmukhananda Fine arts, Mumbai
  • National Center For Performing Arts-NCPA, Mumbai
  • South Central Cultural Zone, Nagpur in the Yuva Sangeetotsav, Vaizag
  • Tata institute for Fundamental Research –TIFR, Mumbai
  • GML Cultural Academy Ananya, Bangalore.
  • State Sangeeta Nritya Academy, Bangalore
  • Mysore Association, Mumbai.
  • Shri Ranjini Sangeetha Sabha Dombiwili, Mumbai
  • The Bangalore Gayana Samaja, Bangalore
  • Young Musicians Conference of Sri Thyagaraja Gana Sabha, Bangalore
  • Young Artists Music Festival, Malleswaram Sangeetha Sabha, Bangalore
  • Department of Kannada and Culture, Bangalore
  • Ganabharathi, Mysore
  • Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore
  • Town Hall of Madekeri,Coorg
  • ISKCON Bangalore
  • The Shastapreeti Celebrations, Nurani,Palakkad Kerala
  • Kumbhabishekam in Vadakantara,Palakkad,Kerala.
  • Tirupati Brahmhotsavam,Tirumala.
  • VDS Academy, Chennai
  • Navaratri Utsav, Dharmasthala Karnataka
  • Sri Rama Seva Mandali, Chamarajpet Bangalore.
  • Sheshadripuram Rama seva Samithi, Bangalore.
  • Girinagar Sangeetha Sabha, Bangalore.
  • Malleshwaram Ramamandira, Bangalore.
  • R.T. Nagar Sangeetha Sabha, Bangalore
  • Nadasudha, Hubli
Her music performances were broadcasted from AIR Bangalore and telecasted by Doordashan, Udaya, E-TV and Ice TV channels.

Awards and Recognition:

  • Is a recipient of “Aryabhata Award-2003”which is awarded for outstanding Young artistes.
  • She was awarded the"Bharatha Bharathi Puraskara" for her performance at the Young Artists Music Festival, held by Malleswaram Sangeetha Sabha-Bangalore [2000].
  • She was awarded the ‘Pratibhakankshi Award’ for her outstanding performance at the well known Sri Ramanavami Sangeetotsava held at Sri Rama Seva Mandali, Chamarajpet, Bangalore [2003].
  • She has received senior level music scholarship from the ‘State Sangeetha Nrithya Academy’ twice.
  • First prize in the senior level classical music competition conducted by the fine arts organization ‘Sourabha’ –Bangalore [1998].
  • First prize in the state level competition on ‘Annamacharya’s compositions’ conducted by the organization ‘Nadopasana’of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam-TTD-[2000].
  • First prize in the state level classical music competition conducted by Indian Institute of Music and arts
  • First prize in the television based music competition ‘Sangeetha Sambhrama’, conducted by Doordarshan, Bangalore.
  • Second prize in the state level concert competition - Nadasudhaa Shimoga - Karnataka [2000]
  • Second prize - D.K. Jayaraman Memorial competition of Chennai held at Bangalore [2001].
  • She also won several other prizes in competitions conducted by prestigious organizations such as Bharatiya Vidya Peetha, Vasavi Vidya Peetha, Vijayanagar Sangeetha Sabha, etc.
She has won the First Prize [Karnatic Senior Vocal] in the All India competition held by Navya Nataka Samithi in Hyderabad and had the opportunity to sing and receive the trophy from the music Maestro Dr. M.Balamuralikrishna [2004].