Violinists V.S. Narasimhan and Hemanthraj Muliyil, Cellist V.R. Sekar and violist B. J. Chandran perform their original musical form (which integrates Indian Classical and Western Classical music) to worldwide audiences. In addition, the musicians often take part in recordings for major motion pictures as well as immerse themselves in solo projects.

During the 80's, Madras had two groups which performed western music regularly. One was the Madras Philharmonic and Choral Society Orchestra (MPCS) and the other The Madras Chamber Orchestra (MCO). The MCO was very active with V.S.Narasimhan as its leader and performed regularly until (1985) when problems with the film industry reduced the groups activity. It was at this point when V.S. Narasimhan, Sekar, Chandran and later Hemanthraj Muliyil started coming together to explore various quartet repertoire.

Although the group's members are in high demand for motion picture recordings and have recorded projects for legends ranging from Illayaraja and AR Rahman to George Harrison of the Beatles, they have been shifting paths over the course of the past decade having discovered a new, unique quartet voice - a voice that serves to connect the Western quartet form with their Indian music backgrounds.

Their sound—composed of traditional Indian Classical pieces, which are imbued with an enduring blend of Western harmonies, counterpoint, and pulsating rhythmic structures—reflects a startlingly natural sound as though this music style has always been in existence. It is a sound which quartet leader VS Narasimhan—who is so uniquely equipped to create this innovative new musical voice because of his ability to play, perform, and compose in both Western classical and in Indian classical music styles—kept hearing in his head before he put the notes on paper. Ultimately, their sound is possible due to each member's versatility, improvisational skill, and ability to fully internalize and embrace elements of Western and Indian classical music.

V.S. Narasimhan: Narasimhan belongs to a family of musicians. His father, a Gottuvadyam (a stringed instrument like the Veena but without frets) Vidwan, initiated Narasimhan into South Indian Classical Music on violin. He took his music training in Western classical style on the violin from Mr. A. L' Armand. He started working in the films in 1959 and has been acknowledged as one for the finest in business. Mr. Narasimhan is well known throughout India as a solo violinist for legendary Indian film music directors such as A.R. Rahman and Ilaiyaraja. Narasimhan has also written music for many films and collaborated on other albums. He is currently working on some new compositions for the quartet.

Hemanthraj Muliyil: Right from his child-hood Hemanthraj had a great passion for music. He had his early training from a violin teacher in his hometown Calicut. He became a member of the Calicut Musical Association and had the opportunity to sing tenor in the choir and play the violin for many musical programs. In 1984 he joined the South Indian Film industry in Madras as a professional violinist and had played for many well known music directors. He was a member of the Madras Philharmonic Society and played the violin in the orchestra for a few years. Hemanthraj is also specially skilled in the repairing of the instruments. Madras String Quartet is happy to have Hemanthraj as one of its members since June 2002.

B.J. Chandran: A talented player who plays for movies. His involvement with the quartet over the years has sharpened his playing and his perceptions about music and musical interpretations. Chandran began as a violinist but later changed to the viola. HIs ability to quickly take on the violist role in the quartet is a testament to his musical skill!

V.R. Sekar: Son of one of the most popular South Indian classical musician / composer Kunnakudi R. Vaidyanathan. Besides playing for films, Sekar also has been involved with many private musical albums of leading Indian composers like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ilayaraaja, A. R. Rahman etc. Sekar's enthusiasm for the Western Classical music has opened up new areas in music like the beauty of playing ensemble and the dynamism of the Cello and its deeper sounds that are only heard when one plays pieces like the Cello sonatas of Bach. He considers meeting the great Cellist Rostropovich for a "master class" as one of his finest moments in his musical life. Being a strong critic of bad technique and expressionless playing, Sekar plays, listens and talks about music as though he is possessed!