Indira Sivasailam Endowment Concert 2019

The recipient of the 10th Indira Sivasailam Endowement Medal is Dr. Pantula Rama, a leading exponent of Carnatic music. Dr. Rama hails from a family of musicians and scholars. Her father, Sri. Pantula Gopala Rao is a well-known violinist and her mother Smt. Padmavathi is an accomplished Veena artist. Dr. Rama had her initial musical training under her father, and completed her advanced training under ‘Sangeeta Kalasagara’ Sri.Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao. She is one of the youngest vocalists to have been awarded the prestigious ‘Top grade’ by the All India Radio.


She is equipped with a vast repertoire and highly imaginative approach, and is renowned for her interpretation of the works of old and new composers. Her unique style distinctive for brilliant artistry, clarity of diction, an ever-fresh approach and a perfect balance of the different elements of Carnatic music, enthralls audiences around the world. She holds a Doctorate in Carnatic music and has authored the book, ‘Shaping of an ideal Carnatic musician through Sadhana’.

As a teacher and arts advocate, Dr. Rama believes in inspiring and shaping the next generation of music aspirants to pursue arts as a lifestyle and career. Through her socio-cultural movement, “PaRa – the Supreme”, she aims to create and heighten the awareness of Classical music with openness towards other genres of music.

To mark the 10th year Celebrations, Vidwan Sri. R.K. Shriramkumar (Violin), Vidwan Sri. J.Vaidyanathan (Mridangam) and Vidushi Smt. Bhagyalakshmi M. Krishna (Morsing) were awarded The Indira Sivasailam Foundation 10th Anniversary Special Award for their exceptional performance as accompanying artistes.