Mysore/Mysuru: Vidushi Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar has said that the credit for popularising Vachana Sahitya across the country through Hindustani music goes to late Ganayogi Pandit Panchakshara Gavai.

She made this observation after inaugurating a musical programme ‘Vachana Sangeethotsava’ held in memory of late Ganayogi Pandit Panchakshara Gavai at Ramagovinda Rangamandir in the city recently. The programme was jointly organised by City Unit of Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat and Saptaswara Balaga.

“Inspired by Hanagal Kumaraswamy, Pandit Panchakshara Gavai started learning and practicising music. The Vachana Sahitya with its inherent characteristics of prose, poetry and music complements  musical compositions. The contributions of Pandit Panchakshara Gavai in disseminating the messages of Vachana Sahitya across the country through Hindustani music are enormous,” she said.

Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji recalled that musicians of Saptaswara Balaga gave musical touch to Vachana Sahitya at Bidaram Krishnappa Ramamandira, a few years back which laid the foundation for Hindustani music’s popularity in Mysuru.

“Pandit Panchakshara Gavai, though was visually impaired, composed Vachana Sahitya in Hindustani music and contributed immensely  in spreading the message of Vachana Sahitya across the globe. It is commendable that Ganayogi Pandit Panchakshara Gavai is being remembered in our city through a musical progaramme,” added the Seer.

Senior Congress leader M. Pradeep Kumar, Mysuru City President of Sharana Sahitya Parishat M.G. Sadanandaiah, Secretary T.S. Kumaraswamy, Treasurer of Saptaswara Balaga H.G. Krishnappa and others       were present.

After the stage programme, a Hindustani music based Vachana singing concert was presented by  Pandit K. Anandkumar and Ravichandra D Dhage.