Srikanth Gopalakrishnan is a versatile and much sought after Carnatic vocalist, musicologist, composer, and resource person. Hailing from a family of musicians, Srikanth learnt the art form from his mother, the legendary Smt. Leelavathy Gopalakrishnan from his childhood. He underwent advanced training from Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri. T M Thyagarajan for nearly ten years. He was awarded the Government of India Cultural Scholarship to undertake extensive training from Sangeetha Choodamani Shri. O S Thiagarajan. He widened his repertoire by learning different compositions from stalwarts like Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri T K Govinda Rao, Sangeetha Mahopadhyaya Shri T R Subramaniam and Sangeetha Vidwan Shri A Sundaresan.
A linguist, Srikanth is an ” A ” Graded musician of the All India Radio, Chennai. He holds a master’s degree in Indian Music from the University of Madras and a bachelor’s in computer science from Bangalore University.
Known as an encyclopedia in the field of Carnatic Music, he has researched extensively compositions of various composers belonging to the Mysore Samasthana and revived many of them. He is also recognized for his work on the Haridasas of Karnataka. He has composed tunes for over 300 Devarnaamas and has given many talks in various portals. Besides many CDs to his credit released by coveted recording companies, Srikanth has also tuned several Azhwar Divya Prabandhams, Veera Shaiva Vachanas, bhajans and songs of Sri Subramanya Bharathi. He has recorded over 100 dance productions under the music direction of Kalaimamani Dr. Rajkumar Bharathi.
Srikanth has received many awards, notable among them are Asthana vidwAn of Sri Kanchi Mutt, Best concert by The Music Academy, Chennai, gAna kalA bhAskarA, Sangeetha kalA bharathy, Sangeetha Swara Shreshta, Sathya gandharva gAna kalA sundaram, Nrithya Sangeetha kalA bhArathy, Bhaava Gaana Gandharva, Professional Excellence Award and Youth Excellence award by Rotary Club of Madras West etc.
Having discovered many ragas, Srikanth is known for his sensitive and soulful rendering. He has been performing solo concerts for the past 35 years and has accompanied several leading dancers around the world, toured widely, performing, and conducting workshops and lectures.
A versatile Mridangam exponent trained under the guidance of exemplary gurus, Kalaimamani Shri. V.P. Ramadoss and Kalaimamani Shri. Thiruvaroor Bhakthavatchalam, B. P. Haribabu has carved a niche for himself in the dance world. He acquired the skill from such stalwarts at the Tamil Nadu Govt. Music College. The author is conferred the title Vaadhya Visharadha in 1988 recognizing his adeptness in the art form.
Besides being an expert Mridangam artist, he is equally proficient in pakhwaaj, nattuvangam and rhythm composing. He, being a specialist in playing for the Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi concerts, is the most sought after mridangam artiste for about over 3 decades. He had been teaching and conducting workshops, lecture- demonstrations on nattuvangam and rhythm for dancers and dance teachers. A globe-trotter, he has visited 34countries and been on 106 international tours. Haribabu also has to his credit working with major dance companies in the USA. He has performed twice in the prestigious John Kennedy Center, Fall for Dance, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festivals.