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        Not only their music, but even their thoughts are in total alignment with each other as the Malladi Brothers talk of their music.

        The Kartik Fine Arts, Mylapore, has conferred the title of Isai Peroli on them.

        'It is the first highest recognition of our musical excellence by the Chennai music circle', beamed Ravi Kumar, the younger of the two.

        The Mecca of Carnatic music has recogonised our talents, gushed Sriram Prasad, the elder disciples of Nedunuri Krishnamurthy. The Malladi Brothers from Vijayavada have carved a niche for themselves among the musical stage performers of Carnatic music.

        Classicism, perfect tonal alignment, faultless diction and sahitya presentation have been the hallmarks of their music. Both hold post-graduate degrees in music from the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam and are A-Grade artistes of the All India Radio and Doordarshan .

        Q: How did you begin your early training?

        A: My grandfather Malladi Srirama Murthy was an accomplished classical musician and Harikatha exponent. We began our early lessons under him. At that early age though we were interested in music we were playful. We would repeat whatever he sang and run away. We never worked hard at polishing it. Later on we received musical training from our father Suri Babu, who was a disciple of the late Voleti Venkateswaralu of the Pinakapani school. Our interest grew with the years and in the 1990's we began training under Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, who also belonged to the same school.

        Q: You trained under the gurukula system for five years. What are its advantages?

        A: Musical training does not stop with just learning or singing a song for sometime daily. It means learning and development through hearing and observation. During gurukulavasam the disciples are constantly thrown into the company of the guru. This brings an intimacy between the teacher and taught and opens a wide scope for off hand discussions and learning sessions which contribute towards a holistic development.

        Q: What are the advantageous of dual singing?

        A: There is more Bakhti, greater emphasis on the ragabhavam and the message of the song is conveyed strongly.

        Q: Are your concerts pre-planned?

        A: We plan the songs to be sung. However the delineation of ragas including the main raga is handled by whoever is in a mood to do it.

        Q: Do you compete with each other in the exposition of manodharma on stage?

        A: Definitely. We try to out do the other in expounding our manodharma skills. It is a positive competition. In fact the music of one inspires and kindles the other to produce new phrases in raga delineation and swara singing. That is the main reason we both take turns in singing the main raga.

        Q: How do you feel singing in Chennai during the music festival?

        A: Chennai is the Mecca for musicians. Chennai rasikas are the most encouraging and inspiring. It is a boon for artists to come and sing here during the season for they gniet a good exposure which helps them to further their musical career.