Vellore A. R. Srinivasan is a classical Carnatic vocalist, percussionist and a Vaggeyakara (one who composes the lyrics and music). He is presently working as a Professor of Biochemistry at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Pondicherry, one of the constituent colleges of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, a Deemed University accredited with A++ Grade by NAAC. Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute[1] figures among the top 50 medical colleges in the country, as per India rankings 2023,https://www.nirfindia.org/2023/UniversityRanking.html and https://www.nirfindia.org/2023/MedicalRanking.html > Prof. Srinivasan is also the Registrar of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth,[2] one among the top 100 Universities in India, as per NIRF 2023 {https://www.nirfindia.org/2023/UniversityRanking.html}.
He had his undergraduate education at Voorhees College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India and obtained a first class degree in Chemistry in 1982.[3] He received the Madras University topper award in M. Sc. Biochemistry (Faculty of Medicine), having studied at Christian Medical College, Vellore.[4] He received his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from Mysore University[5] in 2000, following doctoral thesis work carried out at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.[6] Srinivasan is one of the inventors of a patent for "A process for the preparation of intracellular Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme".
Vellore Srinivasan is basically a self-taught musician who had very little formal training in classical music: However, much later in his life, during his college days he received lessons in Carnatic vocal from the Vidwans:- Sri Sembiakudi Janakiraman, Sri M.R.Srinivasan and Sri Bellary M.Ragavendra. Srinivasan also learnt the art of playing percussion instruments only during his college days from (Late) Vidwan Vellore C.M.Kuttiappa. For a brief period and during his late 40s, he received training from the well known Mridangam Guru Tiruvarur Sri R.Krishnamoorthy.
Multifaceted musician: Vellore Srinivasan has performed for temples and educational institutions. As a percussionist, he plays the kanjira and morsing. He has composed over 2500 songs in the Classical carnatic genre that include compositions on several deities of the Hindu pantheon (https://www.youtube.com/user/utubevellorears ; https://www.facebook.com/vellorears/) . He has composed songs on the religious philosophers and seers of India.
He has received awards and titles which include Nadayoga Shironmani, instituted by YOGNAT.[7] He is included in the Musicians’ Diary/Directory for his work in Carnatic vocals, along with his percussion skills.[8]