When most little girls at the age of 7 would be clutching a doll in their hands, little Nagamani was clutching a mandolin, using her tender fingers to learn the intricacies of this Stringed Instrument.
Nagamani, a Child Prodigy, who is in her early twenties, ranks on par with many Carnatic Music Exponents much senior to her in years.
Nagamani, who is a native of Palakol, West Godavari Dist, Andhra Pradesh, learnt mandolin under the loving and caring guidance of her uncle and mentor Mandolin Sri.U.P.Raju.
By the age of 9, she was performing as a seasoned soloist in the hallowed portals of the Grand Music Sabhas of Chennai. She is the First Female Mandolin Artiste playing carnatic classical music.
Nagamani has extensively performed around the Globe in the Countries like South Africa, USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Germany, France and Switzerland.
Nagamani has also achieved name and fame through her Solo/Duo Audio CD'sand Cassettes under the banners of Kalavardhini, Mudhra, Sangeetha and GeethaCassettes.
Nagamani along with her mentor and husband Sri.U.P.Raju, together they form a formidable Mandolin Duo. Nagamani, has won many Awards and Prizes from various esteemed Organizations.
She is also training many students in this unique instrument, which includes Online Classes for the students in Canada, USA, Switzerland, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, France.
Awards
In 1994 - Awarded "Best Junior Artiste" by the Krishna Gana Sabha, for the Gokulastami Series at Chennai.
In 1994 - Performed before Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on his Birthday. He was so moved by her music that he materialised a Gold Chain and a Locket for her.
In 1995 - Music Academy, Chennai has awarded the "Ambujam Krishna" award for excellance in the Spirit Of Youth Series.
In 2002 - Won music critic "K.S.Mahadevan" endownment for the category "Best Junior Artiste" in playing foreign instrument by the Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai.
In 2003 - She won First place in the All India Radio (AIR) National level Competition for the category of Stringed Plucking Instrument and secured direct "B" Grade Artiste of AIR, Chennai.
In 2006 – She was awarded the title "Yuva Kala Bharathi" by Bharat Kalachar, Chennai.
In 2012 – Graduated as "A" Graded artiste in All India Radio (AIR) . She did her B.Com and Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) from University of Madras.
In 2012 - Along with Mandolin U.P.Raju, Nagamani started their "Shastriya Mandolin Sikshana" a school for learning Carnatic Music on Mandolin both Personally and Online through skype.
In 2015 - Along with Mandolin U.P.Raju, Mandolin Nagamani conducts "Guru Smaranam" every year to pay their respects to their beloved Guru late Sri.Rudraraju Subbaraju, A Program dedicated to their Guru.
In 2018 – Received "Gandharva Kala Ratna" title from Gandharva Gana Sabha, Chennai .
In 2022 - Received ‘Isai Tamil Vendhar‘ award from Tamil Isai Maiyyam , Chennai .
In 2022 – Received “Nadha Kala Vipanchee” from Vipanchee Art Festival 2022 , Chennai.
In 2022 - Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India Awarded CCRT Fellowship in the field of Classical Carnatic Instrumental Music for her project on the subject “ Carnatic Music on Western Instrument Mandolin “ for the Year 2021.
In 2023 – Performed Mandolin Family Quartet for the International Sacred Spirit Festival of India in Nagaur Fort & Mehrangarh Fort , Jodhpur , Rajasthan
In 2023 – Received “ Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar " Award from Sangeet Natak Akademi , Ministry of Culture , Govt. of India for the Year 2021.
In 2023 – Honourable Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi ji , quoted and highlighted Smt U.Nagamani’s credentials in this unique Carnatic mandolin art field in his famous national programme PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat episode with the nation on 26th February , 2023.
In 2023 – Recently , Nagamani along with her Family performed MandolinFamily Quartet for first time overseas at the esteemed Philharmonie de Paris , Nuit du Raga International MusicFestival , Paris , France , Receiving a 2 minute long standingovation by a Packed Audience of 2500 people
In 2024 – Invited as Special invitee to witness the esteemed 75th Indian Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi, by the Respectable PMO , Doordharshan , Prasar Bharathi , Mann ki bhaat , Ministry of Culture , Sangeet Natak Akademi , Govt of India .
In 2024 – Was awarded “ Maryada Purushothama Sri Rama Chinmaya Raghuveer ” , Life Achievement Award from the esteemed Chinmaya Mission .
In 2024 - Smt. Nagamani was awarded ‘ TOP ‘ Grade by the esteemed All India Radio for the Carnatic Instrumental - Mandolin. She is the FirstFemale Mandolin artist to receive such honour.
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