Sikkil R. Bhaskaran – Leading Violinist of Carnatic music

Sikkil R. Bhaskaran is a Carnatic violinist from Nagapattinam of Thanjavur District. He is the recipient of the Youngest of Vidwan Award by Chennai Music Academy in 1961, after which he embarked on a successful journey as a percussionist. As a solo performer and accompany, he has played violin on different stages and with three-generation artists. “Villisai Vender”, “Violin Isai Chelvam”, “Kailaiko”, “Isai Kaddal” etc are some of the honorary titles given to him by different music organizations.

Sikkil R. Bhaskaran was born into a Isai Velalar family of Sikkal, Tamil Nadu, and hence ‘Sikkil’ tag got associated with his name. He was born in 1936. As a child he trained music and Bharatnatyam from his maternal grandfather Sikkal Ramaswami Pillai. He switched to violin at the age of 11, and became a disciple of Thiruvarur Subba Iyer. After training under him for two years, he continued learning under prominent violonists, Mayavaram V. R. Govindaraja Pillai and Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai for three and two years respectively. As an accompany, he has shared stage with music legends like Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavather, Semmangudi Sri Srinivasa Iyer, T. R. Mahalingam, Chitoor Subramania Pillai etc. He is an A-grade artist of AIR and remained a regular performer as well.

Sikkil R. Bhaskaran – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He is not related to Sikkil sisters or other musicians of the family.

2. He performs with third generation of musicians and vocalists now.

3. He remained a Station Artist in Chennai Radio Station during 1976 – 1994.