Biography

Musicians behind Madras String Quartet, violinists V.S. Narasimhan and Hemanthraj Muliyil, cellists V.R. Sekar and B.J. Chandran who plays the viola, get together frequently to practice and give performances in numerous parts of the nation. Although all members are full-time film performers, Sekar says it is out of love for western classical music and the delight of playing chamber music which has made this quartet a dream come true for them. While Narasimhan feels that despite the fact that the main aim of this group is to establish MSQ as one of the finest in India, it is also their dream to make this group more experimental. A gifted author himself, Narasimhan has composed music for the audience, utilizing thoughts in view of Indian established music and joining it with western symphonic standards. Narasimhan has a place with a group of artists. He began working in the movies in 1959 and has been recognized as one of the finest in the industry. His relationship with the acclaimed South Indian film writer Ilaiyaraaja has conveyed numerous trees to him. Especially in a non-film collection called 'How to Name it' which was discharged in 1987. The music highlighted solo parts composed for the violin supported by a little symphony. It included exploratory combination music of Carnatic, folk and western music. Narasimhan has additionally composed music for some movies and private collections. He is as of now chipping away at some new creations for the quartet. Hemanthraj Muliyil, right from his childhood, he had an extraordinary energy for music. He had his initial training from a violin instructor in his hometown, Calicut. He became a member of the Calicut Musical Association and had the chance to sing tenor in the choir and play the violin for some musical projects. In 1984, he joined the South Indian Film industry in Madras as a professional violinist and had played for many renowned music directors. He was a member of the Madras Philharmonic Society and played the violin in the orchestra for a couple of years.  B.J. Chandran is a skilled player who plays for movies. His association with the quartet throughout the years has sharpened his playing and his perceptions about music and musical interpretations. Chandran is basically a violinist, yet the need to fill in the void of a viola player, at the time of forming the quartet, has made him take up this new role. V.R. Sekar, son of one of the most popular South Indian classical musician/composer Kunnakudi R. Vaidyanathan. Other than playing for movies, Sekar likewise has been included with numerous private musical albums of leading Indian composers like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ilayaraaja, A. R. Rahman and so forth.