Heramb Hemanth Flute Brothers Continue to Set New Record

Heramb and Hemanth are twin brothers who have already stamped their presence in a big way in the instrumental music world. The twin siblings more popularly renowned as Flute Brothers, in fact, are not only the most sought-after flautist duo but perhaps the only twin flute duo on the Carnatic music horizon.

A family of musicians: Heramb and Hemanth are originally from Madikeri in the Kodagu district, the picturesque tourist haven of the state. The interesting and noteworthy aspect of them is that they hail from a family full of musicians being exposed to music ever since their birth. They happen to be the grandsons of Bhakti Sangeetha Ratna Ambale Subbarao. He was a multifaceted personality and apart from being a learned musician was also a respected cultural personality, author and teacher. Ambale Satyaprasad, their father is a Mrudanga artist and aunt Ambale Rajeshwari is a well-known Bharatanatyam exponent and Guru.

Initial training at the age of three: Both, Heramb and Hemanth had their initial training in vocal music from their aunt Mrs Bharathi Shyamanna when they were barely three years old. They were initiated into learning Carnatic flute music when they turned six years under Mysore Sri AV Prakash, the renowned flautist. Currently, they are under the tutelage of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan, a renowned Carnatic vocalist.

Both Engineering graduates: Heramb and Hemanth are engineering graduates in Information Science and Engineering from Jyothy Institute of Technology, Bengaluru. But both are not practising software engineers. It may look puzzling to you, but yes they aren’t employed anywhere but totally committed to the musical profession. When pondered, their father Ambale Satyaprasad, former Kodagu district E-TV Kannada Reporter responded-“Not that they weren’t interested in the IT jobs. But most of the known brands which offered them opportunities to work had their own excuses for pursuing their musical career further. As music is their passion, they have chosen it for a lifetime”.

Experience of listening to a flute duet: Heramb and Hemanth twin brothers are well versed in developing a unique, refined fingering and blowing technique enabling them to switch between wide ranges of flutes, including the difficult bass and double-bass flutes. The duo is well appreciated for their innovative approach, perfect synchronization; shruthi shuddham (perfect pitching), tonal quality and the blend which makes the rasikas feel at times as if they are listening to a single flute. Their music naturally demonstrates depth and proximity to the lyrical aspect of composition, representing the ‘gayaki style’ of music. The brothers are on their way in creating a new dimension to the art of playing Carnatic classical flute duets.

Youngest recipients of ‘A’ grade by AIR: Heramb and Hemanth are one of the youngest ‘A’ grade artists by All India Radio when they were 18 years old. They have performed in various prestigious organizations and festivals in the country and abroad including the Madras Music Academy, Akashvani Sangeeth Sammelan - Kolkata, Chowdaiah Memorial Hall - Bangaluru, Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha - Mumbai, Lok Kala Manch - Delhi, Chembai Sangeethotsavam - Guruvayur, Thendayudha Pani Koil - Singapore, Isha Foundation - Coimbatore and many more. They have been accompanied by many accomplished and senior artists and their music has been appreciated by musicians, scholars, critics, connoisseurs, rasikas and laymen alike.

Awards and Recognitions: One of the youngest recipients of Asthana Vidwans award from Sringeri Sharada Peetham, at the age of 24, Recipients of the ‘Best Instrumental Award’ from the Madras Music Academy, Recipients of ‘The Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi Fellowship’ from Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai, Recipients of ‘Raga Laya Prabha’ award from Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, Bengaluru in 2020, Recipients of ‘Sri Sanjeeva Rao Endowment Prize' from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in 2016…

…One of the youngest artists to be invited to perform for the Akashvani Sangeeth Sammelan, National Programme of Music in 2018, Recipients of ‘Yuva Prathibha Puraskar – 2014’ from Karthikeya Gana Sabha, Hyderabad, Recipients of the ‘CCRT National Scholarship’ awarded by the HRD Ministry of India. The duo has been chosen as one of the 20 Changemakers of 2020 by Deccan Herald, Recipients of the ‘Prathibhakankshi’ award by Ramaseva Mandali, Fort High School, Bengaluru, Recipients of the ‘Yuvakalashree’ award by Shreekantham College of Music and Fine Arts.

-Manohar Yadavatti