The Melodious MALAVIKA KANAN

One of the most graceful singers to have walked the musical galaxy, Smt. Malavika Kanan belongs to that era of female performers who shined and blossomed in a male dominated music scene. A recipient of the highly coveted Sangeet Natak Akademy Award for the year 2000, she ranks high among exponents of khayal. She is well known for her distinctive ability to maintain both the traditional purity of the khayal form and the aesthetic beauty of a raga. She has a rich repertoire bandishes and bhajans of current as well as rare ragas.

Hailing from Lucknow, Malavika commenced her musical expedition under her father Rabindra Lal Roy, musicologist and disciple of Pt Bhatkhande, when she was a four year old toddler. The father systematically trained his little protégé over the years in various styles viz. dhrupad, dhamar and khayal and also took her along on his music tours. As a 16 year old teenager, she became a regular broadcaster on All India Radio (AIR). Thereafter, she went on to participate in prestigious national conferences and Radio Sangeet Sammelans. Bestowed with an extremely tuneful voice, a rich, dignified style in the slow 'Khayals' and 'alaaps', and ease and variety in 'taans' are some of the qualities that have made the legend an outstanding musician.

Her marriage to noted singer, Pandit A. Kanan further enhanced her style with a new dimension. She assimilated many features from his Kirana style. From her husband she also was initiated into the beautiful Thumri gayaki.

Authored by our team member, Shruti Nanavaty

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