Vid. Smt. Rajeswari Pariti
Vid. Smt. Rajeshwari Pariti is a renowned Carnatic music artist from Andhra Pradesh, India. Smt. Rajeswari studied music from her father, Late Sri Ayyagari Someswara Rao. She hails from a musical family and has been teaching and performing Carnatic music for over 54 years. Smt. Rajeswari is the founder and Artistic Director of Rajaveena School of Music Foundation, an authorized nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Carnatic music in the Chicago area. She is a professional musician and an "A-grade artist" of All India Radio (AIR), as well as a dual Master's degree holder in Carnatic Music and Sociology. She was awarded the coveted title "Sri Kala Prapurna" by the Sri Annamacharya Project of North America (SAPNA) and has been recognized by organizations such as the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) and American Telugu Association (ATA) for her contributions to teaching and promoting Carnatic Music.
Vid. Sri.Poovalur Sriji
Vid. Sri Poovalur Sriji is a prolific composer, performer, educator, ‘A’ Top grade artist recognized by All India Radio, studied South Indian classical music from his father P. A. Venkataraman. For over four decades Poovalur has performed with leading artists from both South and North Indian classical traditions. Since his move to the United States, he has performed and recorded with Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Béla Fleck, Mark O’Connor, John Bergamo, and Glen Velez to name a few. Poovalur has composed several pieces portraying the South Indian idioms. He has received several awards from leading institutions, and the album Tabula Rasa, on which he composed and performed with Béla Fleck, V. M. Bhatt, and J. P. Chen, was nominated for a Grammy. He is the founding member of the group Brahmah. He also founded and directed the SNEW and South Indian Cross-Cultural Ensemble at the California Institute of the Arts (1990-1998). Prior to that, he taught at San Diego State University (1986-1990). Currently, at the University of North Texas, Sriji teaches mridangam and directs the multi-cultural ensemble The Bridge.
