Bhairavi Raman & Nanthesh Sivarajah

Extensively trained in both Carnatic and Western classical traditions, Bhairavi Raman has developed a distinctive musical voice that draws on decades of study, performance, and creative inquiry.

Her violin playing combines technical precision with expressive depth, moving seamlessly between tradition and innovation while remaining grounded in the melodic and improvisational language of Carnatic music.

She is joined by Nanthesh Sivarajah, a highly accomplished percussionist and multidisciplinary artist whose mastery of the mridangam lies at the heart of his practice. Trained in both South Indian classical and Western traditions, Nanthesh brings extraordinary rhythmic sensitivity and dynamism to every performance, creating intricate dialogues that are both virtuosic and deeply collaborative.

Together, the duo bring over twenty years of performance experience and more than 400 performances across Australia and internationally, including appearances at the prestigious Madras Music Academy in Chennai, Melbourne Recital Centre, and Belvoir St Theatre. Their work reflects a profound engagement with the Carnatic tradition while embracing the realities of contemporary diasporic life.

Drawing on their shared Tamil heritage, Bhairavi and Nanthesh use music as a space to explore memory, identity, inheritance, and transformation. Their performances honour centuries-old musical lineages while allowing room for experimentation, improvisation, and new artistic possibilities. Whether interpreting traditional repertoire or presenting original works informed by Carnatic aesthetics, they create music that is both deeply rooted and unmistakably contemporary.

This special performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the beauty, sophistication, and emotional depth of Carnatic classical music through the artistry of two of Australia's leading practitioners.