Season-1, episode 9 of “ZENPod”, featuring Shri Mahesh Vinayakram, illustrious son of the Ghatam legend Padmabhushan T.H.Vikku Vinayakram is the first Indian male singer to be cast in the theater Cirque du Soleil. A UNESCO Millennium award winner, he started his career as a SOLO VOCALIST at the age of 12 & he is a senior disciple (shisya) of Smt. Radha Viswanathan, daughter of Bharat Ratna Smt. M.S.Subbulakshmi and continuing the Semmangudi parampara (bhani) of sangita pithamahar Shri. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer in Carnatic music presentation.
“When there is God in you, it’s natural that he/she lives in me, I am here to celebrate this! Purpose of our life is how we mcan be helpful to people, and connect. MUSIC is my medium, and also my vision. It starts with y spiritual learnings and teachings from my Gurus” – says Shri Mahesh Vinayakram in his talk with Venkatesh Mahadevan
Having performed in all metro cities as solo Carnatic performer, he has also trained himself as a contemporary singer for various world class musicians like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Stevesmith, Talvin Singh, George Brooks, among other greats. He has also sung in Bollywood and Hollywood movies and has given some hit songs.
Some of his notable productions include, “CHARISHNU” supported by Indian cultural department, govt of India, which included 35 dancers and 8 art forms and 7 leaders for each art form.
He has toured extensively for world music productions and also as a freelancer singer for various artists and festivals. To list a few – U.S, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, etc. etc.
Some of his awards include…
Award of “National scholarship” from central govt of India cultural department
“UNESCO Award” for Millennium 2000 Concert held at Indonesia organized by UNESCO
“Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Shri Shankara Mutt” by Shankara Matam, Kancheepuram
“Maharajapuram Santhanam Award” by Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai (2000)
“Best Performance Award” by High Commission of India concert held at Kenya (2002)
“ZENPod” is a Podcast series that features trailblazers from different walks of life, with a purpose to build an empowered eco-system where learnings and experiences from these enlightened professionals, will be available within “arms reach of desire” for those who aspire to scale higher and wish to contribute, in their life’s pursuit.
We at “ZENPod” believe that one person’s journey is another person’s learning. In these talks, we will touch upon spirituality and the intersection in real Life and how it can be leveraged on, for reaching a higher goal!