Music In His DNA!

Ambi Subramaniam’s music is reflective of his lineage. We prod further…

- Vinay Agrawal

​Hailed as ‘the new king of Indian classical violin’, Ambi regularly plays duet with his violin virtuoso father Dr L Subramaniam at violin concerts, apart from giving solo shows. Also featured as the soloist for Sounds of India, Ambi is a regular at TEDx events. At 13, he was invited to present a concert for the then President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, for Pravasi BharatiyaDivas.

As a fusion performer, Ambi has formed a band called SubraMania with his sister Bindu. He has also performed extensively e with his father, mother Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramaniam and sister Bindu. Plus, there are collaborations with Larry Coryell, Ernie Watts, Corky Siegel and Shankar Mahadevan.

Ambi plays western and Indian violin with equal ease, and has appeared for the Associated Board Royal School of Music’s violin exams and has been ranked first, securing distinctions and special awards. Apart from the violin, Ambi has received distinctions in Piano and Western music theory exam s and is a three-time winner of the Philomena Thumbochetty Award for Best Western Classical Violinist. Over to the prodigy…

How do you feel when people/critics compare you with your father? 

I think it’s inevitable and not something I can shy away from. While growing up, it can be a bit unfair because they compare a teenager just starting his career with the musical prowess of someone already at his peak. Both critics and admirers would use my father’s accolades as a yardstick, which wasn’t easy. However, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have grown up with parents who kept me grounded; they have always made sure that I focused on my music, since both praise and criticism are subjective and short-lived.