Tyagaraja and Purandara Aradhana Mahotsava on Mar. 19

]As part of its 15th annual celebrations, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha has organised Music Concerts and Tyagaraja-Purandara Dasara Aradhana Mahotsava at Alwar Kalabhavan, Sri Krishna Temple premises, Gokulam 3rd Stage here on Mar. 17, 18 and 19.

Mar. 17 (6 pm): Swami Athmajnanandaji, President, Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, will inaugurate the event; D. Madegowda, former MLC, will be the chief guest. S. Ramaprasad, President, Mukthaka Sahitya Academy, will be present. B.S. Sridhar Raje Urs, President, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, will preside. This will be followed by a music programme by Vid. Karthik Hebbar accompanied by Vidu. Veena Suresh – Violin, Vid. A. Radhesh – Mridanga and Vid. Sriram Bhat – Khanjira [Sponsored by Sri Krishna Seva Samithi Charitable Trust  and Kannada & Culture Department, Bengaluru].

Mar. 18 (6 pm): Music recital by Vidu. Vrinda Acharya, Vid. G. Venkatesh Joshiyar on Violin, Vid.  P.S. Sridhar on Mridanga and Vid. V. Shyam on Ghata [Sponsored by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha and Kannada & Culture Department].

Mar. 19 (9.30 am): Tyagaraja and Purandara Dasara Aradhana Mahotsava. Ghosti Gayana followed by Music programme by Vid. Maharajapuram Ramachandran accompanied by Vid. H.K. Narasimhamurthy on Violin, Vid. H.L. Shivashankaraswamy on Mridanga, Vid. M.R. Manjunath on Ghata. This follows Prasada Viniyoga [Sponsored by S. Ramaprasad, President, Mukthaka Sahitya Academy; Gowri Shankar & Shyamala Shankar; Nalini Chander & Chander (In memory of their parents); M. Renuka Devi, Treasurer, Ranjani Koushik, Vice-President; Kannada & Culture Department].

Artistes’ profile

Karthik Hebbar was initiated into Classical music by his mother Vidya Hebbar. He then blossomed into refined musician under the tutelage and guidance of the acclaimed musician Ganakalabushana Vid. R.K. Padmanabha. Karthik is one of the foremost torch-bearers of the RKP School of Music.

Apart from the tutelage under that renowned Guru, he has also achieved insights into music through various other means. Karthik completed his Graduation in Classical Music from Bangalore University. He has also attended many music training workshops and has had the opportunity to interact and learn personally from the likes of Sangeetha Kalanidhi R.K. Srikantan and other stalwarts of Classical music.

Karthik also trained under the renowned musician Sangeetha Kalaacharya P.S. Narayanaswamy during his stay in Chennai for a brief period. He has  travelled widely and performed at most of the prestigious Sabhas in India. Vaadiraja Kalabhavana, Gayana Samaja, Rama Seva Mandali, Fort High School, Parthasarathy Sabha, Chennai, SRS Music Association Chennai, Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha – Mumbai, Mysore Assn. – Mumbai, to name a few.  He continues to travel  the length and breadth of the country.

Vrinda  Acharya has been recognised as one of the best Karnatak vocalists of Karnataka. Emphasis on bhava and clarity of sahitya, adherence to classical authenticity, eye for intricate nuances, wide repertoire and enthusiastic rendering of kritis are her special attributes which, coupled with a rich mellifluous voice, have groomed her into a proficient performer representing a purely classical school of music.

Vrinda’s musical aptitude was noticed at a very young age, when she would impress many musicians with her innate flair for singing, and get their appreciation and blessings. She had her initial training in Karnatak Vocal Music from Vid. Shaila Subramanyam. She then came under the tutelage of Sangeetha Kalarathna Karnataka Kalashri Vidu. Neela Ramgopal. She also receives guidance from her husband Mridangam Maestro Vid. Arjun Kumar.

Awards include ‘Ananya Yuva Puraskara’ and ‘Vid. Alathur Srinivasa Iyer Memorial Award’ by Ananya, Malleshwaram, for the year 2015, ‘Best Vocalist’ and ‘Smt. D.N. Parvathamma Memorial Award’ in the ‘Nadakishorotsava – Youth Music Festival’ conducted by Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha, Mysuru, for the year 2008. ‘Aryabhata Award’ for the year 2005,  ‘Best Vocalist’ and ‘Pratibha Prashasti’ by Sri Nadajyothi Tyagaraja Swami Bhajana Sabha, Malleshwaram for the year 2004.

Maharajapuram Ramachandran, as his name suggests, hails from the famed Maharajapuram lineage, his grandfather being the late Viswanathan Iyer and his father late Santhanam. He also happens to be the seventh in line in the direct Sishya Parampara of Saint Tyagaraja. This solid background has helped him earn a name for himself and carve a niche as the authentic heir of the Maharajapuram style. Strict adherence to tradition has earned him several awards and titles from prestigious Sabhas in Chennai.

He has been awarded the title of Sangeetha Choodamani by the Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai in 2007. He is the Aasthana Vidwan of the Dayananda Ashram at Saylorsburg, PA. The Swamiji of the Ashram has bestowed upon him the title of Aarsha Kalaa Bhushanam in 2007 at Chennai. Ramachandran, who has graced the SIMA stage before is a Grade “A” artiste of the All India Radio and Doordarshan. He was faculty of the Department of Fine Arts at the Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu.