Konnakol Manjunath

🪔 About

B.C. Manjunath, born in 1976 in Karnataka, India, is a highly acclaimed Indian Carnatic percussionist, renowned for his mastery of the Mridangam and the vocal percussion art form of Konnakol. He hails from a distinguished musical lineage, being the fourth generation of musicians in his family. His father, Dr. B.K. Chandramouli, was a veteran Mridangam artist, and his paternal grandmother, Vidushi A. Rajamma Keshavamurthy, was a respected vocalist. Manjunath began his musical journey at the tender age of four, initially learning Konnakol vocal exercises before transitioning to the Mridangam. He received rigorous training in Mridangam under the tutelage of Karnataka Kalasree K.N. Krishna Murthy and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. T.K. Murthy. Recognized for his exceptional talent, he holds an 'A' grade artiste status at All India Radio and Doordarshan, and is also an 'A-Top' artist. An internationally acclaimed artist, Manjunath has performed in over 60 countries, collaborating with a diverse range of artists in Indian Classical, World Music, Jazz, and Contemporary Dance. Notably, he has toured with the Akram Khan Company, working with the renowned Kathak and contemporary dancer Akram Khan. He is also recognized for his pioneering rhythmic innovations, including the Fibonacci Tala, Triangular Numbers Tala, and Gurukrupa Tala. Manjunath is proficient in reading, transcribing, and playing from Western notation, a rare skill among Carnatic musicians. Beyond his performance career, Manjunath is a dedicated educator, having started teaching at the age of 15. He conducts numerous workshops globally and offers online courses on platforms like LivDemy and ipassio, making the intricate art of Konnakol accessible to a wider audience, including dancers. Awards & Honours: Ananya Yuva Puraskar (2002), CMANA Award (2005), Asthana Vidwan (2012), Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Ganakalashree Award, Swara Laya Bharathi Award, Sir Henry Wilson Award, Ganakalabhushana, Life Time Achievement Award, Mridanga Kala Shiromani - Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award, Karnataka Kalashree, Golden Mridangam, Honorary Doctorate, Asthana Vidwan, Swaralaya Shrunga.