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In the concert history of Indian music L. Subramaniam is among the few of the world's greatest musicians who have earned an international reputation of complete, unquestioned integrity.
L. Subramaniam, who has begun a new era in violin playing, executed by his very individualistic, brilliant and masterful style, has become a legend in his own time. The most respected and renowned Indian violinist on the International scene, Subramaniam has been hailed by his critics and connoisseurs alike as one of the greatest performers of all times. "If there is any musician who has contributed towards the popularization of Carnatic (South Indian Classical) music in the West, it is the violinist L. Subramaniam" says a leading newspaper in the United States.
His prodigious talent was evident at the early age of two, when he could repeat musical phrases that he heard his father, Professor V. Lakshminarayana. After initial training in vocal music and percussion, he switched to the violin and took the musical world by storm when he gave his first violin performance at the tender age of six. While he was learning and performing music, he also completed his studies in Medical school and registered as a Medical practitioner. But his love for music was all-consuming and he gave up Medicine for Music. Since then he has taken this age-old, rich tradition of music to places where it has never been heard before and also performed in prestigious venues like the Bolshoi Theatre, Lincoln Center, Royal Albert Hall, the Champs Elysees Theatre to name but a few.
Besides solo and trio performances (with his brothers) he has also collaborated with several legendary musicians. On one such occasion he performed with Sir Yehudi Mehuhin at the United Nations in New York, as a special tribute to India's Fortieth Year of Independence. Later they did a recording together, in Los Angeles, which has been released as an audio-video project.
He has recorded and produced close to fifty recordings including a five-volume "Anthology of Indian Music" for the prestigious Occora label of Radio France. He is also the host of the first Video presentation of Indian Classical Music and Dance entitled, "Master Musicians from India". He has received several honors, awards and titles including the coveted National Award of Padmashree from the Government of India and the title of Violin Chakravarti (Emperor of Violinists) from the Governor of madras, India.
He has scored music for award-winning Television series and movies such as Salaam Bombay and was also the musical advisor for Peter Brook's historical stage production of the Mahabharata. His compositions have also been used in various stage presentations by leading choreographers.