Kasim-Babu Brothers
The Kasim-Babu Brothers are the grandsons and disciples of the Nadhaswaram Maestro Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana. Today, Kasim-Babu are the front ranking Nadhaswaram artists and torch bearers of Chinna Moulana's tradition. Kasim and Babu are noted for both the raga alapana and kriti rendering (in "gayaki style"), especially Dhikhshithar kritis. Early life. The brothers are from Karavadi Village, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh. They are part of a large family of musicians who have preserved and fostered the art of Nadhaswaram playing for 300 years. Being brothers, they were trained together at a very young  age, their preceptor being their own maternal grandfather, Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana. The brothers have accompanied Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana for many years during his concerts throughout India and elsewhere. Kasim, in addition to his skills in Nadhaswaram, also qualified himself academically; He is a graduate of the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Tiruchirappalli, obtaining his B.Sc. in Physics in 1982. Career. Kasim-Babu have been presenting duet Nadhaswaram concerts for the past 20 years. Kasim is a "Top Grade Artist" while Babu is "A Grade" artist of All India Radio and Doordharshan. Kasim-Babu have visited Sri Lanka , Hong Kong, Russia, Germany, France, U.A.E, Finland, Malaysia, United States, and Canada and earned accolade in their concerts. The brothers undertook a three-month concert tour of US and Canada from April until June 2006. The initial tour resulted in requests for their performances in the subsequent years, and they have become regular performers there. The brothers have accompanied their grandfather Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana on several Audio- cassettes and CDs. They have also released their own duet audio Cassettes and CDs. Contribution. The brothers are running the School "Saradha Nadhaswara Sangeetha Ashram" founded by Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana, with  the main objective of imparting Nadhaswaram training to younger generation. Kasim-Babu have established a trust in memory of their Guru and grandfather Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana, the "Dr. Chinna Moulana Memorial Trust". The prime objective of the trust is to "globalize the importance of Nadhaswaram Music". The Trust is rendering a noble service by presenting Nadhaswaram instruments to deserving students and also purses to senior indigent artists of the Nadhaswaram fraternity.