MAGICAL STRINGS

HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III, KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AWARDED VIRTUOSO VIOLINIST DR JYOTSNA SRIKANTH WITH MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MBE). HERE'S WHAT THE ELATED MUSICIAN HAS TO SHARE ABOUT HER MEANINGFUL JOURNEY 

- NAMITA GUPTA

His Majesty King Charles III, King of the United Kingdom awarded Ace violinist Dr Jyotsna Srikanth with the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in his birthday honours list, the third highest civilian award in the UK for her contribution to music internationally on December 12th 2023 at the Windsor Castle, UK. She has many firsts to her credit. A Bangalorean by heart and by birth she is the first Carnatic musician to receive this prestigious award. Other international stars in the same league who have been awarded an MBE in the past included Adele, Ed Sheeran and Marcus Rashford.

Jyotsna is the most sought after South Indian Carnatic violinist and composer known for her versatility and ability to collaborate with different genres seamlessly and with ease. She has been trained in the western classical system too and has been travelling worldwide, connecting cultures and producing innovative projects. She has played the violin for more than 300 South Indian movies. She has given numerous Carnatic solo, jugalbandhi and jazz fusion concerts apart from accompanying legendary Carnatic musicians like Dr Balamuralikrishna.

Jyotsna has composed and performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra – UK, Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra – Hungary, VMU Chamber Orchestra – Lithuania, Krystal Quartet – Sweden, Ligeti Quartet – UK and Vindla Quartet – Sweden. Her prime collaborations include Nordic Raga – with Swedish Folk, Raga Garage – with western classical violin, Carnatic Connection – with Bollywood Brass Band and Maya Jazz – with Balkan Jazz. She has taken Carnatic music to remote parts of Europe and is one of the founders of Dhruv Arts & London International Arts Festival, where she has been curating and presenting Carnatic music to new audiences along with other world music genres.