The Melody Queen of Karnataka - M.S. Sheela  M.S. Sheela accompanied by Radhika Mani (Violin) Anoor Dattatreya Sharma (Mridangam) Sathish Pathakota (Kanjira) Saturday, March 17, 2001 M.S.Sheela is one of the leading contemporary vocalists from India with worldwide acclaim. A disciple of Sri R.K.Srikantan, she has been performing regularly on on Indian television and radio. She has also studied music extensively, having done her post-graduate work in the field. M.S.Sheela is known for her versatility and excels in bringing rare songs and scales to her audience. In addition to being an integral part of the prestigious music festivals in India, M.S.Sheela has also performed at many important international music festivals and institutions in U.S.A, Canada and the Middle East. She has been the recipient of several awards, including the Rajyotsava Award (a State Government award) , Ananya Puraskar, "Sangeetha Amrithavarshini", and the "Sangeetha Gana Kalanidhi" to name a few. M.S.Sheela is currently the Executive Director of "Hamsadhwani Creations", a cultural organization in Bangalore, India, which promotes classical music and dance. M.S.Sheela was accompanied by the following accomplished musicians. Radhika Mani is a well known violinist, who has toured the U.S. with several leading musicians will play the violin and Sri Anoor Dattatreya Sharma, who runs a percussion school and has performed all over the U.S. in the past, will play the Mridangam(Indian drum). On the Kanjira (tambourine) was Austin's own percussion maestro, Sathish Pathakota. Sathish is a senior disciple of SruthiLaya Seva, a Percussion Academy run by Mridangam Virtuoso Karaikudi Mani and has over 25 years of performing experience, in Indian classical and World music ensembles. Web design by JIVI solutions. Art work (c) Leelavati Bagavant.