Thanmayee, a disciple of Karnatik Icon Vidwan T. M. Krishna, is one of the most sought after young Karnatik musicians today. Born in to a family of musicians, Thanmayee started learning music from her mother Vidushi Rajalakshmi, and grandmother Vidushi Krishnaveni. She is also receiving advance training from her maternal uncle, Vidwan Vittal Ramamurthy, who has been her musical guide throughout.
Her strong foundation, dedication, commitment in Karnatik Music has led her to being a graded All India Radio artiste. After her debut performance at the age of 11, Thanmayee has been a regular performer and has given concerts in major music festivals in India and the USA. She has performed in several prestigious venues and major festivals including Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana, Music Academy (Chennai), Chowdiah Memorial Hall (Bangalore), The Bangalore Gayana Samaja and Vigyan Bhavan (New Delhi, for the National Conference of Education).
Major awards and achievements include:
- 2015 “Smt. T.Brinda- Endowment Award” – by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.
- 2014 Yuva Kala Mani – by Mani KrishnaSwamy Academy, Mangalore.
- 2011 M S Subbulakshmi Award – For singing Ragam Tanam Pallavi Brahmara Trust, Mysore.
- 2010 Ananya Prathibe Award- Ananya GML Cultural Academy, Bangalore.
- 2008 All India Radio competition Award for Vocal Carnatic Music.
- 2006 Central Government Scholarship Recipient by CCRT.
- 2005 Prathibakankshi Award – Best concert award from Kote Ramasevamandali, Bangalore.
- 2005 Kishora Pratibha Award – Department of Kannada & Culture, Govt. of Karnataka.
Besides live performances, Thanmayee has lent her voice for South Indian commercial ads and jingles. She has a Karnatik album and a Bhavageethe album to her credit. In Jan 2020, Thanmayee released “Kagga Lahari,” an album presenting select verses from DVG’s Mankutimmana Kagga in Karnatik ragas.
She holds a masters degree in ethnomusicology from University of North Texas and her thesis “Sing Raga, Embody Bhava: The way of being Rasa” explores how the Indian aesthetics of rasa philosophy account for creative presence and its experiences in a Karnatak raga performance. Being both a performer and a researcher, Thanmayee aims to bring out the artistic link between Indian aesthetics, philosophy, literature, and the contemporary art-performances.