Ramana Balachandhran is a Veena player in the Carnatic tradition. Son of Carnatic music practitioners Balachandhran and Sharanya, his talent for music was noticed when at a young age he could identify ragas and point out nuances.
Considered a prodigious talent, he was directly awarded an A grade by All India Radio (AIR, the only grading authority in India) after auditioning at the age of sixteen. This is an honor that has been bestowed on very few musicians in AIR’s history of more than seventy-five years. Madras Music Academy, the iconic and venerated music institution in Chennai waived age requirements to invite him to be part of its annual concert series when he was sixteen.
Music training
Ramana started learning vocal and Veena under his mother and then pursued Veena under Vidushi B Nagalakshmi (granddaughter of Karaikudi Sri Subbarama Iyer). He also took his initial Mridangam lessons under Vid Satyakumar and Vid Nagendra. He learnt vocal music from Sangita Kala Acharya, Smt Neela Ramgopal, Mridangam from Laya Kala Pratibha Mani, Sri Ranganatha Chakravarthy; he currently learns from his father Sri Balachandhran.
style or bani
Ramana’s bani or style is now acknowledged to be unique and his own adaptation.
He brings to the veena—an instrument known for its demanding technique—a distinctive clarity of playing and depth of expression that reveal the essence of each raga. His explorations uncover new dimensions within traditional and contemporary forms, interpreting them with spontaneity and sensitivity. In his alapanas and swaraprastharas, he traverses a range of moods and structures with precision and repose, creating performances that resonate with both freshness and depth.
With a background in percussion, his music naturally reflects rhythmic awareness and balance. His Ragam Tanam Pallavi presentations are known for their seamless interplay of melody and rhythm, while his explorations at higher tempos retain clarity and grace.
His thanams often follow original designs, marked by variety and expressiveness, adding a distinctive touch to his Ragam Tanam Pallavi renditions.
Performances and compositions
Ramana is one of the most sought-after instrumentalists in the country now. He has performed in many of the leading concert halls, chambers and music festivals across the country. At the age of sixteen, he completed a 24-concert spring tour of the USA in 2018. He has also been the youngest vainika to have performed on many of the stages in India and abroad. He is a regular performer in various sabhas part of the Chennai December Music Festival.
At the age of fourteen, he was invited to perform at Rashtrapathi Bhavan (official residence of the Honorable President of India), in the presence of the Honorable President, Honorable Prime minister, Cabinet and African Heads of state. He has performed for several prestigious institutions throughout the country.
He has also performed several jugalbandis/duets with various leading artists.
Ramana’s thillana compositions have been well received by contemporary musicians. He also tunes lyrics of other composers and publishes those periodically; furthermore, he’s sought after by dancers who look for unique musical tastes. He has also composed many chittaswarams for existing Carnatic compositions.
awards and recognitions
Invited to perform at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi in the presence of Honorable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Heads of African nations and the Indian Cabinet in October 2015.
Awarded “Smt Lalitha Padmanabhan Endowment” award for Veena from Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai in December 2015
Granted age waiver (when aged fourteen), by Prasar Bharati and Director General of AIR for audition appearance in AIR
Awarded “Prof G T Narayana Rao” award instituted by Bhramara Trust of Y.T and Madhuri Thathachari, Mysore on the 26th of March, 2016
Awarded “Kalavanta 2016” by Karnataka Fine Arts Council for winning the Best Main artist (Instrumental) in Kalavanta International Youth Festival for artists under age thirty on the 29 th of May, 2016. He’s the youngest winner of this award
Awarded “Raga Laya Prabha” by Sri Rama Lalitha Kalamandira, Bangalore, in June 2016
Awarded “Emani Sankara Sastri Sashtiyapthapoorthi Award” by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in August 2016
Awarded Dr. M S Subbulakshmi Fellowship grant by Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai in September 2016
Awarded “Annapurna Ravindran Endowment Award” by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in April 2017
Youngest after Mandolin Shrinivas and Flute Shashank to be invited to perform at Madras Music Academy in 2018
Auditioned by All India Radio at age sixteen and awarded ‘A’ grade directly,an honour last bestowed on Mandolin U Shrinivas
Chosen as one of the 20 change-makers for the year 2020 by the Deccan Herald