Jyotsna Srikanth

Jyotsna Srikanth is an Indian-British violinist, composer, and educator, known for her expertise in both Carnatic classical music and Western music. She was born in Bangalore, India, into a musical family. Her mother, Ratna Srikantaiah, was a Carnatic vocalist and teacher, and she played an important role in shaping Jyotsna’s early musical training. Jyotsna began learning music at a very young age, initially training in Carnatic vocal music before moving to the violin. 

Her interest in the violin was inspired after watching a performance by the legendary violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. She then trained under well-known gurus such as R. R. Keshavamurthy and later V. S. Narasimhan. Jyotsna also pursued Western classical training at the Bangalore School of Music and completed advanced studies through the Royal School of Music in London. Her early dedication was remarkable, with long hours of daily practice, and she gave her first solo concert at the age of nine. 

Jyotsna Srikanth began her professional career in the South Indian film industry, where she played violin for more than 200 film soundtracks under composers like Ilaiyaraaja. After her marriage, she moved to London, where her career expanded internationally. She performed at prestigious festivals such as WOMAD, BBC Proms, and the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, and also worked on music for documentaries and television channels like Discovery and National Geographic. 

Apart from classical performances, she is known for her versatility and ability to blend different musical styles. She performs jazz, fusion, and world music, and has collaborated with international artists such as Simon Thacker, Eduardo Niebla, and Rão Kyao. She also founded the group Fusion Dreams, through which she experiments with combining Indian and Western musical elements. 

In addition to performing, Jyotsna is also an educator and cultural promoter. She has delivered lectures on Indian and Western violin techniques at institutions like the University of Cambridge and Liverpool University. She established Dhruva Arts, an organization that supports upcoming artists and promotes Indian music in the UK. She also founded the London International Arts Festival, which showcases diverse musical traditions. 

Her contributions to music have been widely recognized. In 2008, she received a Fellowship in Carnatic Music from Trinity College of Music, London. In 2023, she was honored with the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to music and charitable work. Today, she continues to perform globally as a soloist and accompanist, contributing significantly to both Indian and international music scenes.