Sivaganga OAM

🪔 About

Sivaganga OAM, born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, is a prominent figure in Carnatic musicianship and a respected Bharatanatyam vocalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Her early training in Carnatic music began with her older sister, Sivasakthi Sivanesan. She further honed her skills under the tutelage of accomplished artists such as T.V. Gopalakrishnan, O.S. Arun, and Kalaimamani Prabhavathi Ganesan. Concurrently with her artistic pursuits, Sivaganga pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Botany and a Master's in Public Administration from Madras University. Before migrating to Australia, Sivaganga worked as a programme producer for the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She moved to Perth, Australia, in 1996, and subsequently to Melbourne in 1997. In Australia, she has established herself as a significant contributor to the Indian classical arts scene, particularly as a vocalist for Bharatanatyam performances. She maintains a continuing affiliation with the Bharatalaya Academy, performing for their Bharatam Dance Company and various arangetrams. Demonstrating her commitment to cultural promotion, Sivaganga founded the 'Taste of India' organisation in 1987, which annually produces concerts for the Darebin Music Feast. Her dedication to fostering Indian music and culture in Australia has been recognized with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Awards & Honours: Order of Australia Medal.