South Indian Nightingale. That is how music connoisseurs describe KS Chithra, the ace playback singer. Six national film awards, Padma Bhushan (2021), and a host of international honours have made Chithra a musician belonging to the global league. Interestingly, it is difficult to find another
Although rooted in Carnatic traditions, Jayanth has a unique sound that often traverses generic barriers, thanks to his early exposure to Hindustani and other forms of music and cross-cultural collaborations. Even when he is playing the most Carnatic-sounding ragas such as Bhairavi and Kamboji, the sound of his flute appears universal and cosmopolitan. It’s both pastoral and urban; and is peaceful, meditative and nuanced.
Among the younger generation, he is probably one of the most well-spoken and cosmopolitan artistes. His music has cross-generic influences, he performs across the world, does collaborative work and even have an un-Carnatic sartorial style.