Kesiraju Srinivas, popularly known as Ghazal Srinivas, is a Telugu Ghazal Maestro, (For More Information) an Indian classical vocalist, and Pioneer of Art of Telugu ghazal singing. He has set three Guinness world records and Limca Record by singing ghazals on Gandhism in 125 world languages.
Ghazal Srinivas was born in Tekkali, Srikakulam (native of Palakol West Godavari) Andhra Pradesh to Narisimha Rao and Ratnavali.
He did his B.A. in Political Science from Andhra University. He studied in Taylor High School, Sri YNM college, Narsapuram and in ASNM Govt college of Palakol. He also earned a degree in Library Science from University of Madras.
Ghazal Srinivas was born in Tekkali, Srikakulam (native of Palakol West Godavari) Andhra Pradesh to Narisimha Rao and Ratnavali.
He did his B.A. in Political Science from Andhra University. He studied in Taylor High School, Sri YNM college, Narsapuram and in ASNM Govt college of Palakol. He also earned a degree in Library Science from University of Madras.
Career
Ghazal Srinivas worked as a librarian at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhimavaram and Sainik School, Korukonda for a decade before quitting.
Music career
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Dr Kesiraju Srinivas, known as Ghazal Srinivas a pioneer in the Art of Telugu Ghazal singing, a true believer of Gandhian philosophy, has dedicated more than two decades of his life to promote Telugu ghazal, human values and world peace. He has 6000 live performances to his credit around the world. Through his singing he motivates and transports people to the roots of their culture thus captivating each and every heart and soul by bringing out their innermost feelings, deep emotions and self realization.
He started singing Telugu Ghazals in 1986. He has developed a unique style. He uses Kanjeera, a common instrument, as his only accompaniment.
Dr. Ghazal Srinivas - a pioneer par excellence An Outstanding Telugu Ghazal Singer Carved new Vistas of Music with Values
Dr. Ghazal Srinivas – Legendary Telugu Ghazal Singer
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is, you gift that back to him” these words of Leo Buseaglia, sum up the Journey of Dr. Ghazal Srinivas – the Ghazal Maestro. Dr. Ghazal Srinivas – a living Legend - a triple Guinness World Records Holder achieved by hatrick, he has become the First Singer to achieve this great accomplishment.
Across and Above the Boundaries…
A highly acclaimed performer, Dr. Ghazal Srinivas, is a household name among the Telugus. Telugu Ghazal is his forte and he is lauded for his invaluable contribution to the promotion of this unique art. Having reached the peak, he has redrawn the boundaries of popular culture through his harmonious mixture of both performance and entertainment. Kesiraju Srinivas,popularly known as Ghazal Srinivas , born in Tekkali Village of Srikakulam District, hails from Palakol in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh; His illustrious parents are Kesiraju Narasimha Rao and Ratnavali. He started singing from the age of five and he used to sing popular movie songs in his own style. He also used to take part in singing Bhajans regularly.
Tryst with Ghazals…
Dr Ghazal Srinivas was attracted towards Telugu Ghazals authored by famous poet, Jnanapeeth Awardee Dr. C. Narayana Reddy in 1986. He decided to take a new path to make a mark of his own in the field of music and culture. He started to compose music to the Ghazals of Dr. Cinarey and set his own Journey of Ghazal singing in Telugu. Ever since he never looked back and continued his journey with his effortless singing and inimitable style. To his credit he has more than 6000 ghazal concerts that he has performed all over the world. His Singing Borne in Hearts… Dr Ghazal Srinivas is the precursor and pioneer of Telugu ghazal singing which has an innate lyrical beauty in it. The nuances of the mellifluous resonance in his voice has to be experienced by intent listening as the ghazals are rendered in an ecstatic state of mystic trance. Even for a discerning listener it is impossible to capture that rapture in words. One will immerse in the melody of his singing and experience the boundaries between self and others present in the auditorium melting away, and there shall be only ‘one’ that is Srinivas. Everyone experiences a dynamic and vibrant feeling of harmony with the inner being. It will be an aesthetic experience par excellence and sui-generis. His voice emanates from his own soul as he sings from the depth of his heart. Being a handsome and charming personality, he has an aura of conspicuous and charismatic presence, on, as well as off stage, particularly when he is mingling with his audience. The thunderous applause reverberating in the auditorium during and after every performance also carries his music in it. Each performance of his is unique and unparalleled in itself. Once on stage he soon establishes a rapport with his audience and creates an ennobling ambience. Replete with reposeful ingredients, each concert of his is a rhapsody in rhyme and rhythm. There is an exuberance of lyrical beauty and creative imagination and vitality of voice in his singing. Every Ghazal is laced with enticing execution of diction and substance. There is a spectacular spontaneity in all his concerts and his concerts are thematic in conception and execution.
His ghazals on untouched feelings are haunting
His concerts reverberate ebullience. In the flow of his singing time stops unawares with indelible and immaculate imagery , particularly in the song wherein he implores god to give back his innocent childhood in exchange for everything he is blessed with. Some of his ghazals in tonality and intensity make you feel nostalgic with memories of yesteryears. Another masterpiece is the ghazal which relates the conjugal love and togetherness and how the husband feels the oppressive loneliness that permeates the house when the wife is away from home for a short while. Another gem of a ghazal is on mother who is divinity incarnate and who outweighs all gods when it comes to choosing between them and her.
Beyond Melodious singing there is Lofty Message…
There is a powerful and poignant social message and earnest appeal in his Ghazals to reconstruct human relations and family values. The ethical appeal to uphold human values in his Ghazals is compelling. He emphasizes that the society needs a moral leadership at this critical juncture and urges every individual to take up this moral responsibility to sustain social and civic values. After listening to his full concert, one experiences a catharsis. And that experience is the most beautiful and profound. It is a mystical sensation. There is a holistic perspective in his Ghazals and he renders them with a characteristic panache. He is humility personified with no ego-hang ups.
He composed and released Telugu ghazal and devotional audio albums like Nenu-Naa Illu , Sri Srinivasam, Naa Tandri Srinivasa, Anni Daarulu Tirumala Vaipey, which are highly appreciated by millions of music and Ghazal lovers across the world. His audio albums available in www.adityamusic.com
He established Ghazal charitable Trust to support and promote the art of Telugu Ghazal and world peace. www.telugughazal.com. He has been organizing Telugu Ghazal work, writing and singing work shops every year. He also conducting Telugu Ghazal Mushayira's (Kavi Sammelan) every year to bring out the new talents in field of Telugu Ghazal
He sings Hindi and Urdu Ghazals as well. He gave performances all over the world.
He has created Guinness and Limca Records by performing a live concert in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2008 at the Historical Gandhi Hills, titled " Musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi" for world peace in 100 world languages.
He has also recorded an audio album titled " The Path of Mahatma Gandhi" with 125 songs in 125 languages on the theme of Non-violence, Truth, Love and Satyagraha philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi which is his second Guinness World Record took place in the year 2009.
In the year 2010 he created another Guinness world record i.e. Hat-rick Guinness record for perofrming 55 concerts in 24 hours in the category "most concerts in 24 hours' performed on 23rd and 24th September 2010.
Her Excellency Smt Pratibha patil, president of India appreciated and honored Dr Ghazal Srinivas for his selfless contribution for the promotion of world peace.
As a great humanitarian, he has been performing his Ghazal concerts to raise the funds for the construction of Educational Institutions, Old age homes, Orphanage homes, organizing free medical camps, supporting Earthquake victims, benefiting poor artists etc.
As a peace lover, he took part in a 1538 km peace walk from Delhi to Multan (PAK) in 2005. Later in the year 2006 he took a lead role in a peace conference in Lahore and participated in a 2day hunger strike against violence
His audio album "Shanthi Yatra" on Indo-Pak peace was released by former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. His special album "Satyagraha Sandesh" released by Smt Sonia Gandhiji on the eve of Satyagraha Centenary Celebrations. His efforts created a hope for peace and harmony throughout the world.
He was a key architect of Historic Tiranga Run dedicated to Sri Pingali Venkiah held in Vijayawada in the year 2007 with 5 Lakh people.
As a magnanimous reformer, he has taken a mission to sing ghazals to the prisoners in all district and central prisons of Andhra Pradesh to reform and motivate them towards the positive side of life. He has been performing voluntarily in rural villages to create confidence among farmers and prevent them form committing suicides.
He took a peace mission to war torn Afghanistan in the year 2009 September and October for fifteen days. He released an audio album, "Doosti-Sol" in Dari, Pashto, Balochi, Urdu languages and dedicated to Indo-Afghanistan peace and friendship. He also performed in Afghan-Indo-Pakistan women peace conference of Nelson Mandela Foundation of New Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations and International Non-violence conference organized ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan in Kabul at Babe-e- Babur tomb.
He was honored with many titles, some of which are Pride of India, pride of performing Arts, Satyagraha Shanti Dootha Award, Telugu Ghazal Maestro, Ghazal Gaana Ghandharva, Ghazal Gaana Samrat, Ghazal Gaana Vibhushana, Ghazal Gaana Ratna, Ghazal Moghul, Ghazal Gaana Paadusha, Ghazal king etc.
He served as adviser to the Government of Andhra Pradesh on Communications for Rural Development from 2005-2007. He was appointed as a Brand Ambassador and Adviser for Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association for two years from 1 May 2008.
Dr Ghazal Srinivas acted as a Hero in Telugu Feature film "Vichitram" Directed by Jandhyala in 1999 produced by Abbai Productions.In 2005 he appeared in a "Special Role as Writer Satyam" in super Hit Telugu feature Film " A Film By Arrvind" Director by Sekhar Suri produced by Creative commercials,KS Rama Rao.
He won Santhosham Best Character Actor film Award for his enthralling performance in the Film "A Film by Arrvind"
Organized a National level Telugu ghazal work shop for singers and poets in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhimavaram campus on 1 and 2 May 2010 and nearly 120 singers and poets participated in Historical work shop of Telugu ghazal
[edit]Doctorate and honors
Doctorate in the field of Performing Arts by Cosmopolitan university, Missouri, USA - 2005
Doctorate from Acharya Nagarjuna University - 2008 for his contribution to Art of Ghazal singing and world peace.
Honorary member and Consultant for Lions International Clubs,Head quarters, Oak brook,Chicago,USA.
Member Group Study Exchange of Rotary International-1992-93, Brand Ambassador for Lanco Group of Industries
Cultural Ambassador for North America Telugu Society, USA
Brand Ambassador of Lazarus Hospitals cancer Center, Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam
Personal life
Ghazal Srinivas is married to Surekha and has a daughter Sanskrithi. Sanskrithi (8 years old) has been performing ghazals in Telugu as child prodigy. She has been learning Carnatic Music from Pandit Ahalayaji since 4 Years and Kuchipudi Classical Dance from Dr Alekhya. She also gave her voice along with her father in the audio albums "Nenu-Naa-Illu, Shanthi yatra, Satyagraha Sandesh yatra and many
Awards and rewards
Dr Ghazal Srinivas honored by great personalities like Smt Prathibha Patil, President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, Dr Neelam Sanjeev Reddy, former President of India, Dr PV Narasimha Rao, former Priminister of India, Sri LK Advaani, Former Deputy Priminister of India, Sri Somnath Chaterjee former speaker Loksabha, Sri Ravindranathan, President of Singapore, His Holiness Sri Tridandi China Jiyyar Swamyji, Sri Srigeri Bharathee Theerthananda Sankarachaarya etc.
Satyagrahi Santhi Dootha Award by Salaam Namaste, Dallas, USA
Ghazal Maestro" by Sukanya Arts, Hyderabad
Ghazal Gaana Chakravarthi by Telugu Association of North Texas
Ghazal Gaana Ratna by Telugu association of Tucson, Arizona
Ghazal Gaana Gandharva by Kuwait Telugu Kala Samithi
Ghazal Gaana Prapoorna by Dubai Telugu Association
Ghazal Gaana Visharada by Singapore Telugu Mitrulu
Ghazal Gaana Vibhoosana by Tyagaraja Samithi, Palakollu with
Ghazal Gaana Chiranjeevi by Sadhana Sahithi Sravanthi, Hyderabad
Ghazal Gaayaka Paadhusa by *Kavulakunta Trust, Tirupathi
Ghazal Gaana Brahma by Pragathi Educational Society, Kakinada
Ghazal Moghal by Press Council, West Godavari District
Ghazal Swara Bhooshana by Swaralaya Vedika, Tenali
Peace Award by Teluguone.com and Chakra Foundation, LA
Human Excellency Award by CATS, Washington DC
Award of Appreciation by HTC Global Services and Foundation, Detroit
Award of Appreciation Arizona Telugu Association, Phoenix
Pride of India by European Scottish Association
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Lifetime Achievement Award by Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Seva Samithi
Kalavedika, Vishakhapatnam with Ugadi Award
Rotary International with Vocational Excellency Award
Lions International with Human Excellency Award
J.C.C. Club with Outstanding Young Person Award
Telugu Vijnana Samithi, Bangalore with Telugu Vignana Samithi Award
Teluk Intak, Malaysia Malaysia with Ugadi Award
Australia Sidney Telugu Association with Telugu Association Award
European Telugu Association with ETA Award
Qatar Telugu KalaSamithi with Telugu KalaSamithi Award
Indian Social club, Muscat, Oman with Pride of performing Arts
Telugu Swarna Puraskaram By Malaysia Telugu Association
Telugu kala Samithi Kuwait with International Sadbhavana puraskaram
Vamsi International, Hyderabad with Ghantasala Visistha Gayaka Puraskaram
Bharatamuni, Andhrapradesh with Bharatamuni Kalaratna Award
"Aman Awaaz Khan" by Afghanistan Indian Association
Shathi Sree" Award by SP Bala Subrahmanyam fine Arts Society,Kaavali, AP and more
Sri Krishna Devaraya Puraskaram by Telugu Vignana Samithi,Bangalore
Visal Bharathi Gourav Satkar by Delhi Telugu Academy
Telugu Tejam" Award by Indian Telugu Association, chennai
Ghazal Gaana Kireeti" by Andhra Maha Sabha, Mumbai
Lions International Cultural Excellency Award-2010
Lions Club Balaji Nairobi, Kenya, Award-2010
Cine Goer Award for Best Playback singer for the TV Serial "Abhishekam" for the song "Abhishekam"
