Kalashree Sadanam Rajagopalan

Sadanam Rajagopalan is a freelance Sopanam and Classical Dance vocalist who is famous for his melodious voice and soul stirring renditions.

He is conducting online training in music. Please connect at his email for more details

Rajagopalan was born in August 1952 to Late Shri. Kunjiraman Nair and Late Smt. Narayani Amma in the city of Thalipparamba, Kannur, Kerala.

Since his Junior High School days, he started participating actively in street plays and Music Orchestras. Encouraged by his High School Headmaster Shri Krishnan Nair, who used to sing for Kathakali, Rajagopalan joined the prestigious Gandhi Sewa Sadanam school of Music, Pattiripala, Perur.

At Gandhi Sewa Sadanam, he did a 6 year course in Kathakali Vocal Music and learnt under the tutelage of Guru Madambi Subramanian Namboodiri, Late Guru Thiroor Nambeesan and Late Guru Kadathanattu Govindan Nambeesan. His passion towards rhythmic instruments saw him joining the practice sessions of Chenda students everyday after the vocal classes.

After finishing his course at Sadanam, Rajagopalan joined a Ballet group as a Playback singer and served them for 2 years. Later in 1974, he joined International Centre for Kathakali in New Delhi. For 7 years, he was the only vocalist in the organisation, doing the work of two on stage. He served ICK as a Chief Vocalist for 21 years before deciding to become a freelance vocalist in 1995.

As a freelancer, Rajagopalan ventured into other Classical dance forms and started singing for Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam and Kuchippudi. This in turn, gave him the opportunity to work along with some of the finest artists in the country including Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh, Padma Bhushan Raja Radha Reddy, Padmashri Bharati Sivaji, Padmashri Leela Samson.

He considers himself fortunate to have also sung for the great Late Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Late Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Late Keezhpaadam Kumaran Nair and Kalamandalam Gopi.

He has performed at prestigious Indian festivals like

1. Konark Festival, and
2. Khajuraho Festival

And International festivals like

1. Savannah Festival
2. Festivals of INDIA
3. Indian Ocean Festivals
4. Asian Festivals of Traditional Dance and Music

In a letter of appreciation to Smt. Bharati Sivaji for her performance at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 1992, former President of India Mr. R. Venkatataraman gave a special mention to his vocals and said, “Shri Rajagopalan’s vocal support enriched your performance.”

In 2015, he received the prestigious Kalashri Award from Kerala Sangeet Natak Academy.