Biographies

The JayaMangala Troupe:

USA:

• Mrs. Rajalakshmi Krishnan (Vocal, Violin, Veena)
• Mr. V. Balasubramanian (Santoor)
• Mrs. Jaya Balasubramanian (Vocal)
• Mrs. Geetha Navanithan (Vocal)
• Mr. P.K. Subramanian (Edakka, Tabla)
• Mrs. Shobha Subramanian (Dance, Vocal)
• Mr. Srinath Balasubramanian (Mridangam)
• Mr. Anant Sharma (Tabla)
• Mrs. Sandhya Srinath (Violin)

Group Photos:

• Orchestra - I
• Orchestra - II
• Percussionists

INDIA:

• Mr Palghat S. Krishnamurthy (Vocal,residing in Tirunelveli, INDIA))
• Mr. S.S.R. Krishnan(Mridangam, residing in Madras, INDIA)
• Mrs. Indira Krishnamurthy (Dance, Vocal, residing in Tirunelveli, INDIA))
• Mrs. Prabha Subramanian (Dance, Vocal, residing in Bangalore, INDIA)
• Mrs. Jayashree Ramanathan (Dance, Vocal, residing in Madras, INDIA)
• Miss. Divya Krishnamurthy (Vocal, Dance, Mridangam residing in Tirunelveli, INDIA)

Some Excerpts from Press Reviews of JM Members:

• "The grandest feature of the evening was Jaya Balasubramanian's vocal support without mentioning which this review would be incomplete. The range and reach of her voice showed something unique"

R. Venkatraman, PATRIOT, Dec 1986

"Mrs. Jayalakshmi Balasubramanian sang superbly and emotionally"

Subbudu, Hindustan Times, Delhi, Dec1986

"The singing by Jaya Balasubramanian with Guru Nana Kasar's nattuvangam and Ranganathan's mridangam made for a fine musical team"

Leela Venkatraman, The Hindu, Dec 1986

"Mrs. Jayalakshmi Balasubramanian sang complimentarily. She is a concert artist in her own right"

Subbudu, Statesman, Delhi, April 1986

"Jaya Balasubramanian provided superb vocal music"

C.M. Rana, Financial Express, June 1989

"Soulful singing by Jaya Balasubramanian in Murugan Temple in Maryland, USA.in Hamsanandi ragam, wherein she emotionally brought the devotional elements"

A reporter from Washington DC in Asia online, May 3, 1998

• "....The invocation showed a dancer with commendable grasp over rhythm woven into Nritta in the Ragatalamalika.. all very deftly executed."

Indian Express, Delhi

"Shobha Subramanian, the Mohiniattam dancer presented at the festival, is brilliant not only as a dancer, but as a composer of songs and choreographer as well..."

The Hindu, Delhi

"Her merit came to the fore in the very first item in Bharatanatyam... The varnam was given a polished, subtle and intelligent interpreatation... Shobha is indeed gifted with a fine stage presence and musical acumen..."

Statesman, Delhi

"Shobha's Mohiniattam..characterized by enchanting fluidity and complex grace of movements..."

Times of India, Bombay

" ...The highlight of the evening came when Shobha presented a lovely dance piece before the American audience..."

Staten Island Advance, New York

" ...Shobha Subramanian, of the Hindu group Jayamangala, presented a charming indian classical piece at the Inter-Faith Concert......

The Washington Post

• "Young Miss. Sandhya can now be considered a full-groomed professional violinist, judged by the manner in which she accomplished the main artist and in her solo turns, excelled herself"

Subbudu, Statesman

"The melodic charm was further enhanced by Sandhya's own alapana sequences with deft handling of the bow and keen awareness for the raga edifice"

Jitendra Pratap, Pioneer

"Best performance came from Sandhya, whose violin concert was flawless"

R.C., Hindustan Times

"Violin support by Delhi Sandhya was embellishing and in her turn she gave an erudite touch to the todi alapana. ...One was surprised how Sandhya was able to produce so many gamakas on the violin"

Subbudu, Statesmen

"Sandhya (Violin) gave commendable melodic support adding richer dimensions to charming A. K. Ramanujam's recital. Sandhya's violin accompaniment was really of concert standard"

S.V.Rajee Raman, National Herald

"Sandhya impressed everyone with a good command she has acquired over the instrument"

Yuv Mahotsav 1989, Indian Express

"...Sandhya's violin accompaniment was also delightful. She follows every turn and twist of the vocalists with uncanny anticipation and accuracy"

M.V.R., Hindu

"...TVG deserves praise for recognising the high standard of the young Delhi artist K. Sandhya (violin), who accompanied him with high competence in the telecast"

R.C., Hindustan Times

"Young Sandhya's sweet violin accompaniment enriched the aesthetics of the recital. Her portrayal of Kharaharapriya with involvement in projecting its pristine beauty was admirable"

M.G. Swaminathan, The Hindu

"Sandhya's excellent bowing technique and the very good tonal quality of the violin were evident right from the brisk opening varnam.It was obvious the young artist has put in prodigious effort to learn and perfect her violin playing and achieved remarkable success in her chosen art form. In addition to technical virtuosity, Sandhya also showed considerable musical sensibility. It was heart-warming for the many elders, including several dance maestros, music teachers and connoisseurs to witness such a young artist doing so well over a sustained three-hour plus concert. The audience included a sprinkling of non-Indians too, who are more familiar with Western music. Maybe, Sandhya noticed them and played the kriti, Raghu vamsa in the raaga Kadanakudoohalam, with many staccato notes and with little of the characteristic gamakaas or graces of Carnatic music, for their appreciation."

V. Balakrishnan, ASIA ONLINE, New York

"On the violin, Sandhya richly embellished the repertoire with her uncanny skill to follow closely the main artist, which is the essential quality of an accompanying violinist"

A reporter from Washington DC for Asia Online, New York

• ".. the precise support on mridangam by Srinath enriched the flute recital"

Asia Online New York, September, 1996

"Sandhya was ably accompanied by her husband, Srinath, ...tani aavarthanam was of a high standard"

V. Balakrishnan, Asia Online, New York

"..wherein she emotionally brought out the devotional elements, which were richly embellished by her tem members Sandhya and Srinath"

A reporter from Washington DC in Asia online, May 3, 1998