“My journey in music has always been shaped by my family’s traditions and the inspiration from my father. I’m from Vadapalem Gramam in East Godavari district, born into an Arya Vysya family where culture and togetherness were at the heart of everything.
In 1978, my family moved to Hyderabad, a city that played a pivotal role in shaping my musical path. My father, Boddu Bhaskara Ramam, was my first influence. Although he ran a kirana shop to support the family, his real passion was music. Every Friday, he would lead bhajans in our village, playing the dholak with so much devotion that it inspired me to take up the instrument. My mother, Ananta Lakshmi, played the harmonium, so music was always part of our life.
At the age of 12, I started learning the dholak. What began as curiosity soon became a deep passion. To further develop my skills, I came to Hyderabad for formal classical music training. Under the guidance of Mahabhashyam Chittaranjan Garu, I got opportunities to perform on All India Radio and trained in tabla at VV Sangeeth Mahavidyalay in Badichowdi with Shri PS Chalapathi Rao Garu.
These years of learning laid the foundation for my expertise not only in classical tabla but also in other instruments like drums, dholak, and the xylophone. Before fully focusing on classical music, I had the opportunity to study light music with J. Devendar Garu. This broad training allowed me to accompany many respected musicians, including film director KV Mahadevan Garu during his felicitation ceremony in the 1990s.
In 1992, I earned a B-grade certification in tabla from All India Radio, which led to performances on Doordarshan and collaborations with music legends like Dr. Padmasri Sobharaju Garu and Vedavathi Prabhakar Garu. By 2003, inspired by my mentor Chittaranjan Master, I founded the Sri Kalyani Music Academy. For over two decades, I’ve been teaching tabla, sitar, keyboard, drums, dholak, and more to students.
My teaching approach combines light music with classical traditions, allowing students to explore their interests while gradually introducing them to the depth of Hindustani and Carnatic music.
Music, one of the 64 arts, has not only enriched my life but also sharpened my mind, and I’m committed to passing this legacy on.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the opportunity to accompany legendary composers and singers, and for the joy of seeing how music has transformed the lives of my students. Music isn’t just an art form; it’s a way of life that connects us all, transcending boundaries.”
- Ramana Murthy, Tablaist & Founder of Sri Kalyani Music Academy