Award presented to Hyderabad Brothers

The brothers perform at Mahati Audidorium where they are conferred the award

Tirupati: For D Raghava Chary and D Sesha Chary popularly known as Hyderabad Brothers, the ‘Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwan Mani’ Award is a God given gift. Feeling elated to receive the award from Thyagaraja Trust during its Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Tirupati on Saturday, they said very modestly,

“We feel that probably we have reached the stage to receive such a prestigious award that too at the abode of Lord Venkateswara. We are feeling extremely happy as if we are receiving the ‘Sangeetha Kalanidhi’ award of Madras Music Academy”.

The brothers visited Tirupati to perform at Mahati Auditorium on Saturday evening as part of Thyagaraja Trust Festival where they were conferred the award. The two brothers spoke to The Hans India exclusively.

They vow their distinction in the field of Carnatic Music to their family background where their mother and father were also musicians of good repute. They learnt the alphabets of music from them only.

Later, the brothers started giving solo performances initially at the age of nine. In 1977-78, Andhra Pradesh Sangeeth Natak Academy awarded them the ‘Best talented young artists’ title. It was in 1981, they first gave their solo concert during

‘Thyagaraja Aradhanothsavams’ at Thiruvaiyaru of Tamil Nadu and started their journey of dual concerts. So far, they have performed in more than 4,000 concerts across the World. Though Raghava Chary joined the Music College in Hyderabad and earned a diploma, Sesha Chary’s training continued at his father only.

Professionally, Raghava Chary worked as Personnel Officer at National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and retired, Sesha Chary was AIR Staff Artist. Surprisingly, he worked as Mrudangam player in AIR and not as Vocalist. For both of them, music is a passion. They were given Sangeeth Natak Academy award for 2013 for Carnatic classical-Vocal category which was conferred by the President of India.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh gave them Kala Ratna (Hamsa) Award for 2011. Telangana State Award was given to them by the Chief Minister in June 2015. There were many other awards, titles and recognitions to their credit. They were in the prime slot at the Madras Music Academy and they continued to be there for almost 23 years.

The brothers also have been training young students and making them to perform on stage as well as securing AIR gradation. They believe that for any artist’s performance, the AIR grade stands as a test and without any formal degree also one can acquire a higher grade with their talent in classical music.

With hard work anyone can reach any higher levels and due recognition. They however stressed that, artists should reach the audience easily without jeopardising the basics of Classical music and traditions while singing.

Later, in the evening, Hyderabad Brothers were felicitated and conferred with ‘Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani’ award at a programme. Thyagaraja Trust Executive Chairman KV Raghunathan alias Bhimas Raghu, the Founder of Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement (PSSM) Subhash Pathri felicitated the musicians and presented gold medals to them. After the felicitations, the brothers gave a concert to which the audience were spell bound.

BY V Pradeep Kumar