Ragavan Manian is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter. A prime disciple of the late great Carnatic music doyen, Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Ragavan is the winner of multiple accolades over the years, including the inaugural Balamuralikrishna Puraskar from Vishaka cultural academy and Vipanchee arts academy awards. He is an Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Kamakoti Shankara Mutt and an A-grade artiste at All India Radio, Chennai Kendra. Ragavan performs and teaches in a wide range of institutional and musical contexts—from engaging school children in creativity through his “Sound is Good – Musical Connections” school program, to working with avant-garde artistes/bands; from performing in orthodox Carnatic music forums to exploring crossovers via his fusion venture Raga Mania Experience.
Listen to Vallena, the first song produced by Ragavan for ROH Indies as part of our collaboration:
Guillem talks to Ragavan Manian about the process of composing and writing a song in the Carnatic tradition on a theme that is novel to the genre.