Isai Peroli for Priya Sisters

Kartik Fine Arts is conferring the prestigious title of 'Isai Peroli' on the Priya Sisters - Shanmughapriya and Hari Priya - at this year's art festival on December 1, 2004.

Priya sisters are very popular and leading Carnatic musicians. Shanmukhapriya and Hari Priya began learning vocal music at the age of five from their father V V Subbaraman, who is a postgraduate in music. Later, they had their advanced training in music from Radha-Jayalakshmi, and now they are under the scholarly guidance of Prof T R Subramaniam.

They have performed more than 2,000 concerts in India and abroad, touring countries like the US, Canada, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius. They have performed in a number of prestigious festivals like the Festival of Hyderabad, Duo Festival, Sprit of Youth Festival, Puttaparti, during the 69th and 70th birthday celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. They were adjudged the best female vocalist by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha and Indian Fine Arts Society in 1992 & 1996. They were adjudged the best singers by the Music Academy in the year 2000 for rendering Tyagaraja kritis.

They have received many titles like Ugadi Puraskar, 2000 MLV Memorial Award, Gayani Siromani and Sangeetha Sarada. They are also asthana vidushis of Sringeri Sarada Peetam. Priya Sisters are known for their clear diction, perfect synchronisation and continue to impress music lovers and critics with their harmonious, fluent and melodic rendering of songs. They are also noted for good stage presence, great manodharma, excellent poise and confidence.

Sony, RPG HMV, Inreco and AVM are among those who have released their audio cassettes and CDs - many of which are best-sellers. Some of the popular leading labels, Devi Krithis, Annamayya Lahiri and Badrachala Ramadoss Krithis, are among the chartbusters.

Their concerts are well formatted to suit the mood of the audience. The sisters enjoy perfect rapport and coordination.

Kartik Fine Arts will confer the Isai Peroli title (Gomathy Visweswaran Charitable Trust Award) with citation and cash prize of Rs 15,000 on the Priya sisters on December 1 at the Sadguru Gnananda Hall of the Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai-18.