Ramakrishnan Murthy

Ramakrishnan Murthy is a Carnatic classical vocalist who has built a respected place in the contemporary music landscape. He began his musical journey in 1997 under the guidance of Smt. Padma Kutty in Irvine. His early foundation was strengthened through advanced lessons with veteran violinist Delhi P. Sunder Rajan. Over time, he also gained insight from senior musicians such as Vairamangalam Lakshmi Narayanan, C. R. Vaidyanathan, Vaikom Jayachandran, and Chengleput Ranganathan. He is presently under the tutelage of R. K. Shriramkumar.

Academically, Ramakrishnan is a graduate in informatics from the University of California, Irvine. After completing his studies, he moved permanently to Chennai in 2011 and committed himself fully to Carnatic music. Since then, he has performed regularly at major sabhas and festivals in India and abroad, including the Madras Music Academy, and has shared the stage with many leading accompanists of the present generation.

He is an A-grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Chennai, and has also ventured into playback singing, debuting with the song “Nalla Nanban” for the film Nanban. His music is noted for pitch accuracy, clear pronunciation, refined gamakas, and strong adherence to traditional patanthara. Influences of stalwarts such as Ramnad Krishnan, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, and K. V. Narayanaswamy can be felt in his approach.

Ramakrishnan Murthy has received several honors, including awards from the Madras Music Academy, Shri Krishna Gana Sabha, Kalki Krishnamurthy Trust, and Kartik Fine Arts. These recognitions reflect his steady growth and commitment to Carnatic music as a performing artist.