K. Arun Prakash

Born on May 3rd, 1968, Arun Prakash is the son of the renown music composer Kalaimamani Sri L. Krishnan. He began learning the art of playing the mridangam from Kalaimamani Ramanathapuram Sri M.N. Kandaswamy Pillai from the age of 9, and had begun performing in concerts by the age of 11. Since then, Arun Prakash has had the honor of accompanying musicians like the great Smt. D.K. Pattammal, Palghat Sri K.V. Narayanaswamy, Sri T.N. Krishnan, and Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. He has performed throughout India, the United States, Europe, and Australia. Arun Prakash's style can be described as a blend of tradition and modernity with which he enhances the overall concert experience. His accompaniment, during all aspects of a concert, is musical and he weaves in unique and complex mathematical calculations without sacrificing the aesthetics of the music. Arun Prakash has won various awards including Best Young Mridangist from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (1984), Best Mridangist from The Music Academy (1994.1996,1999, 2002, 2005), Yuva Kala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar (1996). He also has the distinction of being the first percussionist to receive the Kalki Krishnamurthy award (2000).