Nerkunam Dr. S. Shankar
Nerkunam Dr. S. Sankar is one of the well-known kanjira artists in the field of Carnatic music. He started playing kanjira at the age of 12. He is the last and prime disciple of kanjira Maestro Sri G. Harishankar from whom he learned by gurukulavasam (living & studying with his teacher). He traveled far and wide with his Guru Harishankar. N.S. Sankar started his initial training in Carnatic percussion from Sri P. T. Subramaniam and Sri Shrivanchiyam K. Gopalan. He is an ‘A’ Grade artist in the All India Radio for kanjira. He has earned M. A. (Rhythmology), and an M. Phil degree from the Department of Indian Music of the University of Madras. He has also earned a Ph.D. in music at QMC Chennai. He started an organization called KALAIMAMANI G. HARISHANKAR ADMIRERS CIRCLE TRUST after the demise of his guru G. Harishankar for which he is the Convener & Secretary. He has a wealth of experience accompanying great musicians including, Madurai Sri T. N. Seshagopalan, Sri T. V. Sankaranarayanan, Kadri Gopalnath, Sri O. S. Thyagarajan, Naively Sri Santhanagopalan, Sri Sanjay Subramaniam, Sri T. M. Krishna, Smt. SudhaRagunathan, Smt Bombay Jayasri, Sri Ashok Ramani, Smt. Nithyasri Mahadevan, Dr. Sri T. K. Murthy, Trichy Shankaran, Guruvayur Sri Dorai, Sri Srimushnam Rajarao, Mannargudi Sri Eshwaran, Thiruvarur Sri Bhakthavatsalam among many others.
Teacher Highlights
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He has won the All India competition conducted by All India Radio - Chennai in 1999 and was honored with the title Asthanavidwan from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
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Honoured with the prestigious 'Yuvakalabharathi' from Bharathkalachar.
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Selected as the 'Best Young Artist' by Eyal Esai Nadaka Manram