ClassiC ally ConteMpoRaRy

culture and traditions of Australian society, and by teaching Indian music, Ravi has helped the community nurture and keep alive its rich cultural heritage. Over the years, Ravi’s immense contribution has helped preserve and raise awareness of traditional Indian music especially amongst the younger (generation) Australians.

For service to the arts, particularly through the Academy of Indian Music and Cultural Studies Australia

BY CHITRA SUDARSHAN

Ravi M

Ravichandhira of Glen Waverley, Melbourne, was announced as one of the recipients of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on Australia Day 26 January 2012, for his dedicated contribution to the cultural fabric of Australia by teaching and blending South Indian art into the Australian music community. He brings together different music practitioners including musicians of the

Australian Art Orchestra, and has facilitated the creation of new music forms in Australia and abroad.

Ravi founded the Academy of Indian Music, Australia, 24 years ago with abroad range of objectives. Through the Academy and two other significant institutions - namely, mrudangam maestro Kaaraikkudi Mani’s Sruthi

Laya Kendra in Australia and Padmasri Adyar K Lakshman’s Bharatha Choodamani School of Indian classical dance, (of which his wife Narmatha is the artistic director), Ravi and Narmatha have both achieved a number of significant milestones and provided yeomen service to the arts. Indian art forms are now wellwoven and entrenched in the

Besides being an approved A Grade artiste of All India Radio and TV, Ravi has, for many years, been involved in training hundreds of young artistes; facilitated frequent exchanges between Indian and Australian artistes; organised and played in mega performances; regularly conducted music and dance festivals by working with several resident and overseas artistes.

This award which recognizes Ravi’s services to the arts, was received with lots of excitement and gratitude by Ravi’s family - all of whom have a strong passion for this art form and have taken it up as a second career. His wife, Narmatha who is a versatile and eminent vocal, violin and Bharathanatyam artiste, also teaches these art forms. Similarly, Ravi’s sons - Sai Nivaeithan and Sai Sarangan - have become mrudangam concert artists and have been playing regularly in major festivals in Australia, India and the UK.

“I dedicate this award to my late father Sri S K Mathiaparanam and mother Smt Annalakshmy for their foresight and faith in introducing this art form to me at a tender age; and my aunt Gunalakshmy Kathirgamathamby, for her encouragement in my childhood years in Sri Lanka,” Ravichandhira told Indian Link humbly.

He also acknowledged his indebtedness to his teachers of music, late Prof A S Ramanathan of Sri Lanka and maestro Kaaraikkudi Mani of India, for providing ongoing guidance and support.

Ravi deeply appreciates his wife Narmatha’s contribution, who comes from a family steeped in Indian arts herself - for being a pillar of support in all his endeavours, and at the same time looking after the needs of their two sons and caring for their three aged parents who have been living with them.

Ravichandhira is the founder and Artistic Director of The Academy of Indian Music and Cultural Studies Australia, since 1984. He is also the Artistic Director of the Tyagaraja Trinity Festival of Indian Music, Melbourne, held annually for the past almost 25 years. He is a Visiting Lecturer at University of Madras, India and Sessional Lecturer, Monash University. Ravi has been a musical collaborator with the Australian Art Orchestra, and has helped create cross-cultural musical opportunities for both Indian and Australian musicians, composers and audiences; he is a mentor, adviser, facilitator and performer. He was a Peer Adviser, Music Board, of the Australia Council for the Arts, in 1999 and 2005. Ravi is a former Member, Performing Arts and Arts Management Advisory Committee, AsiaLink, University of Melbourne. He was instrumental in setting up the Radio Station 3MBS FM, and was a former Presenter of the Indian music programme Ragas and Rhythms

Ravi produced Australia’s first

Carnatic music instrumental CD, Rhythms & Ragas with some of India’s leading artistes such as Lalgudi, G Jayaraman, N Ramani, U Srinivas and E Gayathri, which was released in May 1996 to critical acclaim.

When Ravi is not immersed in music, in his parallel life he is a Civil Engineer with Vic Roads (and its predecessors). He is currently Manager of Traffic Operations, Metropolitan South East Region (Melbourne). He won the Meritorious Service Award in 1998 for the development and documentation of the Traffic Management Plan for The President’s Cup (golf event) held in Melbourne. He has an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from the City University, London.

Ravi produced Australia’s first Carnatic music instrumental CD, Rhythms & Ragas with some of India’s leading artistes such as Lalgudi, G Jayaraman, N Ramani, U Srinivas and E Gayathri, which was released in May 1996 to critical acclaim.