Sriranjani Tapasya Santhanagopalan
Sriranjani Tapasya Santhanagopalan
Carnatic musician · Educator · Curator
Artiste at a glance
Sriranjani Tapasya Santhanagopalan is a leading Carnatic vocalist, celebrated for her remarkable versatility and depth across both traditional and contemporary expressions of South Indian classical music. With over 17 years of performance experience, she has captivated audiences across India, the USA, Europe, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, and more - through concerts, workshops, and lecture-demonstrations.
She is the founder of Tapasya School of Music, mentoring 70+ students worldwide with a focus on manodharma (creative interpretation) and values-based training. As a curator, she leads innovative digital and live initiatives such as A Musical Navaratri, Tapasya Chamber Concerts, and annual fundraiser events supporting diverse causes.
A senior disciple and daughter of Sangita Kalanidhi Neyveli Santhanagopalan, she carries forward a rich musical legacy with a distinctive voice of her own.
Performer
With over 17 years of performance experience, Sriranjani has toured extensively, performing at all major Carnatic music festivals including The Music Academy Conference and Concerts, Surya Festival, Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, Sydney Festival, Pallavi Darbar, and Bharat Sangeet Utsav. Her concerts are lauded for their depth, precision, and emotive power.
Sriranjani is an “A” graded artist of the All India Radio and a recipient of numerous honours including:
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"Isai Peroli" (Karthik Fine Arts, 2023)
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Kala Ratna” (Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, 2023)
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Outstanding/Best Vocalist from the Madras Music Academy (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019)
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Outstanding Lecture Demonstration from the Madras Music Academy (2023)
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Senior Best Vocal Concert from the Madras Music Academy (December Season 2022)
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“Shanmukha Sangeetha Shiromani” (Shanmukhananda, Mumbai)
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“Sangeetha Sthree Mani” (Kalayala, San Jose)
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“Yuva Kala Bharati”, (Bharat Kalachar)
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Winner, All India Radio National Competition (2008)
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ITC Sangeet Research Academy Scholarship (Govt. of India, 2008)
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“Yuva Purandara” (Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha, 2018)
Educator
In addition to her formidable presence on stage, Sriranjani is deeply committed to music education and outreach. Through Tapasya School of Music, which she founded in 2012, she mentors over 70 students across the globe, emphasizing both technical precision and emotional depth, while creating a nurturing space for the next generation of musicians.
She has curated and led a wide range of workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and masterclasses on themes such as “Manodharma through Varnams,” “Grand Compositions with Grand Chittaswarams,” and “The Art of Viruttam Singing,” sharing her insights with students, educators, and music lovers alike.
Her recent lecture-demonstration at Princeton University, Sacred Spaces & Forgotten Voices, traced the cultural history of Carnatic music and highlighted the enduring impact of women artists who helped shape its traditions.
As a thought leader, Sriranjani has also contributed to critical discourse in the field, including panel discussions at The Music Academy (Chennai) on “Lakshana and Lakshya: A Contested Relationship” and at the Chennai International Centre on “Women in South Indian Classical Arts – Breaking the Glass Ceiling.”
Curator
Sriranjani also reaches a broader audience through her role as a Curator, with innovative digital content and offline events.
Her flagship digital series, "A Musical Navaratri", featuring collaborations with iconic senior artistes, has garnered over 3 million views, making Carnatic music more accessible and appealing to younger and international
audiences.
Esteemed artistic collaborators, to name a few: Padma Bhushan Sudha Raghunathan, Padma Shri Aruna Sairam, Padma Shri Dr Narthaki Nataraj, Sangita Kalanidhi Thiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam, Sangita Kalanidhi Lalgudi GJR
Krishnan, Sangita Kalanidhi Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Dr Jayanthi Kumaresh, and Kumaresh Rajagopalan.
Complementing her digital presence, “Tapasya Chamber Concerts” offers a refreshing counterpoint to the grandeur of large concert halls. These intimate, baithak-style performances feature unamplified sound and foster a close-knit performer-listener connection. With space for deeper interaction and thematic exploration, the series evokes the raw, emotive power that such settings uniquely allow.
Sriranjani also conceptualises and leads fundraising concerts for non-profit organizations and social causes— bringing together artists, audiences, and purpose. Her curatorial intent is not only to celebrate artistic excellence, but to make music a meaningful vehicle for impact and inclusion.
