Mysuru home for arts, literature and culture: Dr. Niranjan Vanalli

Mysore/Mysuru: The 5-day 28th ‘Sangeetha Sammelana – 2023’ (Music Conference) in memory of Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Swamiji, was inaugurated on Saturday at Navajyothi auditorium of JSS Women’s College in Saraswathipuram here.

The Sammelan will be held till Dec. 6 and is being organised by JSS Sangeetha Sabha Trust, Mysuru, in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka.

Speaking after inaugurating the Conference, Bangalore (North) University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niranjan Vanalli, said: “Of late, foreigners are showing more interest about the Indian tradition and culture. When I was working in the Department of Journalism, University of Mysore, I had the opportunity to visit Kazakhstan under the India and Kazakhstan Cultural Exchange Programme. When we tried to teach them about Indian tradition and culture the Kazakhstan citizens showed interest in learning in our Arts, Literature and Bharatanatyam.”

Stating that though many cultural institutions like Rangayana, Music University, Fine Arts College and other organisations are based in Mysuru, he said that the majority of citizens of Mysuru city are unaware of the working style of these institutions.

“Plays staged by Rangayana attracts the attention of the theatre enthusiasts across the State but the locals are not evincing much interest. Apart from Mysuru, no other district organise so many cultural programmes including Bengaluru and Hubballi. I am associated with Bengaluru and Kolar districts for the last three years and missing several aspects of Mysuru city and want to be in Mysuru during weekends,” concluded Dr. Vanalli.

Renowned mridangist A.V. Anand, who is the President of the 28th JSS Music Conference, spoke on the occasion and said that Mysuru is called the Cultural City because of its rich cultural heritage. “It is also due to the patronage given by the erstwhile Kings of Mysore province who encouraged Arts, Literature, Drama, Dance, Music and various art forms, that Mysuru is being known as a cultural city across the world,” added the veteran Mridanga Vidwan.

Former MLC G. Madhusudan, who also spoke, said that the city of Mysuru promotes Music and Drama and encourage the youths to learn these and many other art forms.

Prior to this, Conference President Vidwan A.V. Anand was taken in a procession from the gate of the JSS Women’s College.

Following the inaugural, a Flute Duet was presented by Heramba and Hemantha. They were accompanied by Vaibhav Ramani on violin, Arjun Kumar on mridanga and by G.S. Ramanujan on ghata.