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Hyderabad Brothers

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Hyderabad Brothers were a Carnatic vocal duo: D. Raghavachari, born in 1952, and D. Seshachari, born in 1956 and died of cancer on 24 February 2024. They were among the most popular duet singers in South Indian classical music. Their name comes from their long association with the city of Hyderabad. Both came from a family of classical musicians. They received their first training from their father Daruri Ratnamacharyulu, and their mother Daruri Sulochana Devi was also a Carnatic singer. The brothers were born in Yakutpura. Raghavachari studied further with Susarla Sivaram at the Government College of Music and Dance in Hyderabad.

Music and breakthrough

The duo performed in India for All India Radio and Doordarshan, among others, and in the United States, Canada, Australia and Qatar. At least fifty CDs and cassettes bear their name, including Scintillating Ragas from 1997. Seshachari was known for his powerful, deep and resonant singing, and Raghavachari for a softer, smoother voice. The two voices blend into a sound of their own, which fans compare to the Alathur Brothers.

Influence

Early in their career they received the award for best young talent in 1977 and 1978. The Madras Music Academy named them the best vocalists three years in a row, from 1990 to 1992, and in 1993 they received the Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Award for the best performance of rare krithis by Thyagaraja. They passed on their knowledge to pupils, among them Ramesh Hariharan.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Scintillating Ragas. Notice how the two voices alternate and complement each other, one deep and powerful, the other soft, and how together they build up the raga.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists