N.S. Prasad | |
|---|---|
 N.S. Prasad | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | N.S. Prasad |
| Born | March 15, 1960 Mysore, Karnataka, India |
| Genres | Carnatic music, Fusion music, Film score |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Composer |
| Instruments | Mandolin |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Website | mandolinprasad |
N.S. Prasad (born 15 March 1960), professionally known as Mandolin Prasad, is an Indian mandolin player and composer primarily active in the Kannada film industry and Sugama Sangeetha. He is a recipient of the Karnataka Kalashri (2009), the state of Karnataka's highest honor for music and dance, awarded by the Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy.[1]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Prasad was born in Mysore, India. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mysore University. His musical training began on the Veena under Vidwan V. Desikachar before he transitioned to the mandolin, studying under H.S. Satyanarayana.[2]
Career[edit | edit source]
Prasad is a graded artist for All India Radio (AIR).
Film and Composition[edit | edit source]
Prasad composed the musical score for the 2005 Kannada film Mithayi Mane, directed by Aarathi. The film won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children Film.[3][4]
Sugama Sangeetha and Style[edit | edit source]
Prasad is recognized for adapting the mandolin, traditionally a Western or Carnatic instrument, to the nuances of Sugama Sangeetha (Kannada light classical music). He has been a frequent collaborator with the "Mysore school" of composers, focusing on the melodic interpretation of Bhaavageethe (expressionist poetry).[5] His technique often incorporates gamakas (ornamentations) characteristic of Indian classical music, allowing the mandolin to emulate the vocal delivery required for Kannada literary works.
He served as a music arranger for the composer C. Ashwath for three decades, contributing to the scores of films such as Chinnari Mutha, Kotreshi Kanasu, Mysore Mallige, and Nagamandala.[1]
Performance[edit | edit source]
As an accompanist, he has performed with Sugama Sangeetha artists including Mysore Ananthaswamy, Shimoga Subbanna, and Ratnamala Prakash. He frequently collaborates with his brother, flautist N.S. Muralidhar.[2]
Discography[edit | edit source]
- Albums
Prasad has released several albums featuring both solo mandolin and fusion compositions:
- Sur Madhur (Solo)
- Kalasangama (Fusion)
- Ayyanaiyyane (with Unni Menon)
- Ellelli Nodali (Instrumental)
- Films[6]
- Mithayi Mane (2005)
- Nanna Kanasina Hoove (2006)
Awards[edit | edit source]
- 2008: "Best String Player" awarded by the Bangalore Music Academy.[2]
- 2009: Karnataka Kalashri, awarded by the Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy (Government of Karnataka).[1][2]
- 2020: Mirchi Music Awards (Special Jury Award - South).
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kambanna, Manasa (7 March 2019). "A mandolin meet: Interview with N.S. Prasad". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "'Mandolin Magic' on Sunday". Star of Mysore. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ↑ "Mithayi Mane (2005) - Awards and Festivals". Mandolin Prasad Official. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
Films – Mittai Mane – was awarded "BEST CHILDREN MOVIE" by Karnataka Government. Music by N.S. Prasad.
- ↑ "Karnataka State Film Awards 2005-06". Viggy.com. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ↑ "Mandolin Prasad: A Journey Through Kannada Sugama Sangeetha". NewsONews. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ↑ https://chiloka.com/celebrity/n-s-prasad-2