Sikkil Sisters – The famous flautist duo of Carnatic music

The siblings – Sikkil Kunjumani (1927 – 2010) and Sikkil Neela (1940 – ), together known as ‘Sikkil Sisters’ are famed flautists of Carnatic music. They belong to a family of musicians mostly associated with the music instrument flute. Sikkil Mala Chandrasekar, the daughter of Sikkil Neela has accompanied the Sikkil Sisters for many of their performances. While most of the members of Sikkil family are well-known flautists, Sikkil Kunjumani’s grandson Sikkil Gurucharan is a Carnatic vocalist and a prominent name of present generation. The sisters were married to retired air force officer K. S. Venkataraman who passed away in 2007. Elder sister passed away three years later.

Sikkil Kunjumani is the elder sister born in 1927, and Sikkil Neela was born in 1940. Their father Azhiyur Natesa Iyer was a mridangist. Kunjamani was initiated to music by her father and then learnt flute from her maternal uncle Azhiyur Narayanaswami Iyer. She later taught flute to her younger sister. By that time Kunjumani had already started giving concerts. In those days women from conservative families were not supposed to give public concerts. Since 1962, the sisters have been performing together as ‘Sikkil Sisters’ till Sikkil Kunjumani’s death in 2010. Till then they regularly performed in AIR apart from their live concerts together.

Sikkil Sisters – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Sikkil Sisters shared same husband – K. S. Venkataraman, who worked in Air Force since the age of 18. He provided all the support to the musical journey of the siblings. He married the elder sister during Second World War, and later married Neela 15 years junior to him.

2. Sikkil Kunjumani gave her first public performance the age of nine and Neela from the age of seven.

3. Sikkil Kunjumani was a solo performer till her younger sister joined her on stage. Kunjumani taught and mentored her younger sister.

4. After marriage K. S. Venkataraman took Kunjumani to Mumbai. Though initially opposed by his parents for her performances in public platforms, he supported Kunjumani’s career in the field of music. The family moved to Chennai after 10 years, where  she taught her younger sister along with her musical lessons, before beginning their career together.

5. Their husband worked as a ground engineer during World War II and following Indian independence, he became a part of Indian air force and worked with it during 1947-1961. He married the elder sister when World War II was going on.

6. They were honoured with Padma Shri in 2004, Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 2002, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989, Kalaimamani in 1973 and many other honours.

7. Playing flute is conventionally considered a male bastion, and it requires good lung power as well. Sikkil Sisters broke the myth that only men can play flute.