According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, high schoolers who take Music courses score significantly better on exams in other subjects, including math and science than their nonmusical peers. This aspect is very evident in the accomplished sister-brother duo Bindu Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam, the third generation musicians born into a family of world-class musicians and are great academic achievers too! Together they also run the well-known music school, Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts, or SaPa as it is widely known.

As the pillars of SaPa both Bindu and Ambi appreciate music in all forms, are unconventional, and allow the students to explore, experiment, and discover their own interests.  Both have a common belief that music is the fabric of life and it is important that every child should be given the opportunity to understand and learn music.  They also ensure all children are given the chance to chart their own musical journeys. 

Dr. L. Subramaniam: Dr. Subramaniam, India’s violin icon, composer, and conductor, trained in classical Carnatic music and Western classical music.  He co-founded SaPa along with his wife, the Bollywood playback singer Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam in 2007. Passionate about music, he did his Master’s Degree in Western Classical music in California, after finishing his MBBS from Madras Medical College.  He has received several awards and honors including the coveted Padma Bhushan.

Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam: As the Co-founder of SaPa, Kavitais an Indian playback and classical singer. She has recorded songs in various Indian and other languages.  She is the recipient of many awards besides the Padmashri which she received in 2005.  She is an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, Bombay from where she did her BA Honors in Economics. She was awarded a Doctorate (Honoris Causa) for her contributions to Indian music by Bangalore-based Jain University in 2015.

“I firmly advocate for providing all children, regardless of their family background, with the chance to learn music. While I did not come from a musical family (my father worked in government service), I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to pursue music, which ultimately led me to choose it over a career in Foreign Service. Music became the focal point of my life, and I am immensely grateful for that decision. I believe that every child deserves the chance to experience the transformative power of music and discover their own unique path.”

Bindu Subramaniam: Daughter of legendary violinist Dr. L Subramaniam, Bindu Subramaniam is a vocalist, pianist, and songwriter of global repute. She is also the Dean of SaPa and the Co-founder of SiS. Bindu has performed at several prestigious events across the globe and has won many national and international awards.   Apart from being the Dean of SaPa, Bindu has co-founded SaPa in Schools.

Ambi Subramaniam: Ambi is a world-class Violinist, Educator and Composer.  He is the Co-founder of SiS and runs it with his sister Bindu.  He has many national and international awards and honors to his credit.  Ambi plays as part of the contemporary world music band SubraMania, which he formed with Bindu. Ambi is a youth delegate at the United Nations for the Sri Chinmoy Peace Meditation group.

Read the full story that first appeared in Deccan Chronicle dated June 22, 2023 here:

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