JANYA
THE SHELDON
VIOLIN
------- VIOLIN MAESTROS IN CONCERT
GANESH
KUMARESH
THE
VIOLIN
BROTHERS
Five Decades · One Vision · Infinite Rāgas
SUNDAY · MAY 17 · 4 PM
SHELDON CONCERT HALL
3648 Washington Blvd · St. Louis, MO
RAGA PRAVAHAM
An immersive framework that redefines the Carnatic violin's artistic and experiential boundaries.
Ganesh Rajagopalan is internationally recognized for his technical brilliance, tonal precision, and deeply expressive interpretations.
As a member of the legendary ensemble Shakti, Ganesh received the 2024 Grammy Award for the album This Moment, marking a historic global acknowledgment of Carnatic violin artistry. His musicianship reflects uncompromising classical depth combined with the fearless spirit of innovation.
Beyond performance, Ganesh is an accomplished composer, creating new melodic frameworks and scoring music for award-winning films including Dance Like a Man and Lessons in Forgetting. He is also deeply committed to education, leading masterclasses at institutions such as Princeton University and Stanford University. After moving to Seattle, WA over a decade ago, he founded Temple of Music, a nonprofit dedicated to structured Carnatic pedagogy.
G
Kumaresh Rajagopalan is a globally acclaimed composer and educator celebrated for his rhythmic sophistication and architectural clarity. His performances combine formidable technical mastery with emotional depth, resulting in interpretations that are both intellectually compelling and profoundly engaging.
Deeply invested in the future of the art form, Kumaresh is the founder of Fiddling Monk an innovative digital learning platform that has transformed Carnatic violin education through structured, immersive, and globally accessible training. His school, Bowing with Fiddling Monk, and extensive mentorship, are part of his mission to ensure that classical music remains both rigorous and relevant for contemporary audiences.
Based in India, he is a visionary performer and dedicated teacher, and continues to inspire new generations through scholarship, creativity, and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence.
K
Global Icons
50+
Years of Artistic Partnership
Distinct in expression yet unified in purpose — their pioneering frameworks emphasize immersive engagement with sound. Together they have redefined the possibilities of the Carnatic violin, expanding artistic, intellectual, and experiential boundaries while remaining anchored in its classical core.
GLOBAL STAGES
LONDON
Royal Albert Hall
Darbar Festival
KOLKATA
Dover Lane Music Conference
LOS ANGELES
Walt Disney Concert Hall
GLASGOW
Celtic Connections
CHICAGO
Symphony Center
PARIS
LONDON
EDINBURGH
Jazz Festival
ST. LOUIS
Sheldon Concert Hall
To Name a Few
COLLABORATED WITH
Zakir Hussain
Debashish Bhattacharya
John McLaughlin
Trilok Gurtu
A.R. Rahman
Florian Willeitner
George Brooks
Ilaiyaraaja
and Many More
PERFORMED IN STL WITH
MASTER PERCUSSIONISTS
P
ATRI SATISH KUMAR
MRIDANGAM
A Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient, he is widely regarded as a mridangist with one of the most influential rhythmic voices across genres. His career spans nearly five decades of global performances — including appearances at the Kennedy Center and Sydney Opera House. Patri has redefined percussion through instrumental innovations such as the Trim Mridangam and the solo production Gajaana. An author, mentor, and curator, he continues to inspire generations with his boundless musical energy.
T
RICHY S. KRISHNASWAMY
GHATAM
Transforming a humble pot into a lightning fast rhythmic powerhouse, magic to the eyes and ears, he’s one of the most sought-after ghatam artists. A top-tier All India Radio artist, he received the Government of India Ministry of Culture scholarship for advanced training. He has performed internationally at prestigious venues including the Kennedy Center, Théâtre de la Ville, Southbank Centre (London), and Esplanade Hall (Singapore). A dedicated educator, mentor, and innovator, he strives to expand the expressive possibilities of the ghatam.
Reflections & Journalism
It truly was sublime. It's like spiritual jazz. I love how there is the sense of play while they are playing. I love how they are completely absorbed in the music. I love how they communicate with each other as they are playing. As each musician plays off of each other as they lead and follow. Although even the following is a kind of leading.
Janet R
I really enjoyed hearing these fantastic artists, and learning a tiny bit about the philosophy of blending discipline of rhythm and freedom in improvising based on the raga. Even though I know I've had very little exposure to this art form, it was clear that they were all amazing musicians and I feel really privileged to have been there.
John M, Professor of Violin
Artists are truly amazing — their dedication and the way they master musical patterns create a rhythmic soul that fills the space with positivity and beautiful vibrations. Lifetime memories.
Sivakumar A., mridangam artist
An incredibly organized concert — hats off for organizing it this creatively and for bringing brilliant artists to STL!
Concert Attendee
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Exactly as you said at the conclusion. I think I'm addicted to this music
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Very creative — nothing like we have ever seen
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Outstanding musical program
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Words are inadequate in expressing our gratitude to you for treating us to this concert held at the Sheldon.
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You can't tell that the organizer is relatively young — a creative powerhouse, can't wait to see what she does next
Snippets from Conversation
Hats off to Megha and her associates at Janya—it was very well organized and executed with a high level of professionalism.
Concert Attendee
This concert was one part of a fuller week of programming.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, STLPR, and other local organizations featured Ganesh and Kumaresh ahead of the evening — bringing the community together for this art.
Before the performance, Janya hosted an open pre-show conversation at The Sheldon — the artists on stage, the audience asking questions, the music given context before it began.
That Tuesday, the artists took the music somewhere entirely different — SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, where they performed for children, parents, and staff, and led a sing-along that brought the whole room in.
Full documentation, reflections, and Q&A on Lekha. Reach out if you'd like to learn more or get involved.
Executive Direction
Megha
Logistic, Outreach & Hospitality Support
Lakshmi Iyer, Ram Lakshmanan, Nalini & Narayanan Sangameshwaran, Ashok Nageshwaran, Anuradha Sundarrajan
Media & Outreach
Shwetha Sundarrajan, Shruti Sugumar, Maanas Sanjay (photography)
Thanks to Ramesh Natarajan for his photography contributions
The Sheldon's Team
Peter Palermo, Cary Goldwasser & Marketing team, Sarah Jones, Tim Albert
Videography Support
Streamside Productions - Aaron & Mike