K. Dharini, the 16 year old prodigy, who is now blossoming into a performing artiste under the tutelage of Smt. Sulochana Pattabhiraman, is the newest star on the skies of Carnatic Music. Guided by the relentlessly disciplinecenteric, tradition–oriented methods of Smt. Sulochana Pattabhiraman, Dharini is now giving a very good shape to the enormous talent that the Almighty has bestowed upon her. Already initiated into concert performances and her berth in the stardom ensured, little Dharini is looking ahead to a long and splendid career as a vocalist.

            Dharini’s prodigious talent and intuitive grasp of carnatic music were evident even before she could barely speak fluently – when she could identify some 50 rages.  Even before she had celebrated her fourth birthday, she had won her first acclaim, bagging the ‘Silver Medal’ in the ' Mazhalai Methaigal’ competition conducted by Anada Vikatan.  That year, it is pertinent to mention, no one was awarded the gold medal – the first prize went unclaimed.  The award also got her photograph in the magazine.

     Dharini’s preliminary training in music was under her grandmother Smt.Lakshmi Srinivasan and her formal training began under Smt.Sulochana Sampath.  She is now under the tutelage of Smt.Sulochana Pattabiraman, a doyen   in Carnatic Music

            In the last 12 years, Dharini has won numerous prizes and awards including the first prize in Sun TV’s Horlicks 'Sapthaswarangal’, I prize in Raj TV’s ‘Hamma Hamma’ and 'Ragam Sangeetham’, I prize in Jaya TV’s in Ragamalika and II Prize in All India Light Vocal Competition, held under the auspices of Sangam Kala Group, New Delhi.
           
            Dharini’s first significant break into concert performance was in 2000, when the VDS Arts Academy, Chennai ( a premier institution espousing the cause of music and promoting the talents of young and upcoming musicians) provided her with  an opportunity to showcase her talent.  Noted musician, Prof. T.R. Subramanian, who was the Chief Guest of the occasion (and who had not known Dharini before), praised the little vocalist profusely, saying ‘ She will become a great artiste; in that there is no doubt’. (His prophesy has been proved right). Dharini was selected for the National Talent Scholarship in Carnatic Vocal by the CCRT, New Delhi during 2002.  She was   given a chance by Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha to perform during the Music Season 2002, in the Music Academy during 2003 (in the ‘Spirit of Youth’ Festival) and in Shanmughananda Fine Arts  and Music Sabha, Mumbai, and in Dombivli Fine Arts, Mumbai (during June, 2004), which indeed is really an honour for such a young artiste and her performance was well acclaimed.

            The next year saw Ms. Dharini being invited to render a concert for one and half hours by VDS Arts Academy, Chennai (Actually, the concert even went a little beyond that).  This time, the Chief Guest, Neyveli Shri Santhangopalan, held back no words in expressing his delight over the discovery of such a brilliant and promising artiste.  VDS Arts Academy invited her to perform for the third time and this time also, Dharini, to the delight of all, gave a classic performance.  Now, she has become a regular performer for VDS Arts Academy, Chennai. Her best performance in VDS ARTS academy during 2005, won her a Tambura, a very prestigious prize to be won by any budding artist.

            One of her very notable achievements has been her participation in ‘Pinju Rattinangalin Pancharattinam’ a dream-child of her Guru Smt. Sulochana Pattabhiraman.  The programme was first broadcast in ‘Pothigai’ channel of the Doordarshan, Chennai Kendra and repeat performances have been conducted by various Sabhas / Temples and the same is being sort after again and again,
           
  Dharini is a regular performer in various programmes of Ramji’s Isai Mazhalai. She has also participated  in ‘Bala Brahmam’ organised by Shri Abhaswaram Ramji and telecast by Jaya TV, a programme bringing out the latent potential of young artists to the limelight.  This annual affair has brought Dharini into focus.  For this splendid opportunity,  Dharini owes her gratitude to a very great extent to shri.Abhaswaram Ramji, who has never lost a chance to project Dharini and bring out her potential as a very talented artist.  Under his guidance and patronage,  Dharini had performed in Krishna Gana Sabha, Tyagabrahma Gana Sabha, Karthik Fine Arts, Bharath Kalachar, Nadha Inbam, Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Nadha Brahmam, TVG’s AIMA, Baala Kalasagaram Trust.   
  
     Her music recital  of ‘Divya Prabhandham’ has earned her the blessings of  the revered Jeer of Shri  Ahobila Mutt. Such had been her soul stirring performance that the great pontiff  identifys  her even amidst a large gathering of devotees and ordains  her to sing before the Lord. 

            Dharini’s other concerts have taken place in temples, marriage receptions and social occasions, which goes to a stunning figure of more than 200 performance.  She has also participated in several competitions on behalf of her School,  the National Public School, Chennai.  In whatever performance she took part on behalf of her school, she held aloft the name of the School.  Numerous had been her achievement for the school.  Needless to say that Dharini is a  celebrity in her school, where this XI Standard student is a darling of teachers and fellow students alike.