By Dr. Padmavathi  Narasimhan

Mysuru, the most significant city and the cultural capital of Karnataka, lends its name to its unique cultural heritage, architecture, literature and music in addition to Mysore Paintings, ivory work and Mysore Silk sarees. Mysuru had been the capital city of the Wadiyars who ruled the Mysore Kingdom. Throughout the rule of the Wadiyar dynasty, crafts and arts attained its peak and therefore the city subsequently developed into the cultural capital. The Wadiyars who ruled Mysore for over six centuries had been incredible patrons of art and culture.

Suttur Mutt, Mysuru, is a reflection of the rich heritage of Mysuru. The Mutt has grown over the centuries to be a multi-dimensional religious, cultural and educational movement.  Spearheading the Mutt’s educational initiatives is JSS Mahavidyapeetha (JSS MVP), founded by the 23rd Pontiff, Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathree Rajendra Swamiji.

The variety cultural events offered by the Mutt is a testimony to its profoundness. On every fullmoon day, the Mutt organises music programs. A divine ambience is created on the stairs of the holy river. A delightful stage with a grand wooden covering is offered to the artistes who perform here. In the presence of Sri Shivarathree Deshikendra Swamiji who has made this possible, under the silvery light of the charming full moon spread around, the audience enjoy the music in the open air, savouring the soft cool breeze.

The Mutt is open to all kinds of music — Hindustani and Karnatak classical, light classical devotional music, jugalbandis, light music and western music. Instrumental music is also being encouraged here. While almost all the top local artistes have performed here, artistes from Bengaluru, Chennai and other parts of India have deemed it a dream-come-true to perform in this holy ambience. So far, 199 music programmes have been organised here successfully.

Senior and popular artistes like Pandit Venkatesh Kumar, Maharajapuram Ramachandran, Vidya Bhushan, Mysore M. Nagaraj and Dr. Manjunath, Bellary M. Raghavendra, Sukanya Prabhakar, M.S. Sheela, T.S. Satyavati, Neela Ramgopal, Vinay Sharva, Trichur V. Ramachandran have performed here.

The Math is happy to celebrate its 200th music programme now.

On May 29, flautist Praveen Godkhindi and Jayanthi Kumaresh on veena will present a jugalbandi. They will be accompanied by Vid. Jayachandra Rao on mridanga and Pt. Udayraj Karpoor on tabla.