Mysore/Mysuru: Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha is giving a cultural feast to the Rasikas this weekend with variety of programmes of classical music, gamaka and a humour.

On Nov. 16 at 6 pm, Smt. Rukmini Ammal & Sri Ramaswamy Iyengar Memorial Concert sponsored by their children will be a vocal concert by Vid. Rajagopal Bhagavat accompanied by Vidu. C.V. Shruti on violin, Vid. P.S. Sridhar on mridanga and V.S. Ramesh on morching.

Vid. Rajagopal Bhagavat is a renowned teacher and performer from Davanagere. Born to Sharada and Shripati Bhagavat, he is married to Poornima. Initially he had musical training with Vid. H. Venkataramu from Chitradurga, further under Vid. Sringeri H.S. Nagaraj. He learnt Hindustani under H.M. Shivakumar Swamy, Davanagere and is presently learning from P. Venkanna Bhat Joshi, Davanagere. He is a seasoned organiser, involved with half a dozen Sabhas and Trusts. He is a regular concert performer all over the State and has won many titles and accolades from prestigious Sabhas.

On Nov. 18 for Savitramma Raghavendra Rao Memorial Programme sponsored by Raghavendra Rao, at 6 pm, Dhanya will present Devaranama and at 6.30 pm, Gamaka ‘Sitaapaharana’ from Sri Ramayana Darshanam by Kuvempu – Vyakhyaana by Vid. Arjun Bharadwaj and Vaachana by Dr. Ranjani Vasuki.

Vid. Arjun Bharadwaj is a renowned scholar, writer and researcher. Apart from having Masters Degree in Engineering & Samskrita, he is well-versed with Kannada, English, Greek and German languages. An ardent proficient in Literature, Arts & Vedanta, he has authored many books, translation and research articles. Presently he is Co-editor for an e-version of ‘Preksha’ newsletter. He has translated Vachana Bharata of A.R. Krishna Satry, Kavya Meemamse of DVG, Kavithegondu Kathe by Dr. Shatavadhani R. Ganesh to  English and Yaana & Nirakarane of Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa to English as well to German. Collection and translation of Sangita Darpana, a 400-year-old book related to music and dance. He has also authored ‘Nayana – Savana’ along with Dr. Shatavadhani Ganesh and Greek Epics. He has also delivered lectures on Vastu Science and Sculptural Aesthetics.

A rare artiste, Dr. Ranjani Vasuki has a wonderful voice which can traverse in all three octaves with ease. Coming from a musical family is an added advantage. Mother Sangita Choodamani Dr. Nagavalli Nagaraj, a well-known name in both classical music and gamaka is her Guru, who has imbibed all aspects of music to perfection. Her great grandfather is Kolathur Ramakrishna Sastry who has composed kritis in all 72 Melakartha Ragas. A fast learner, Ranjani not only has got all nuances of music and gamaka. She has come out with 100% marks in Vidwat. She has completed her Masters in Music with gold medals from Bangalore University. She has got her Doctorate for her thesis on gamaka. She has performed nationally & internationally and  has won many awards. She has also authored many articles on music and gamaka.

On Nov. 19 at 6 pm, Smt. D. Ramabai Govinda Rao Memorial Programme sponsored by Dr. Jagannath Shenoy for Smt. D. Ramabai Charitable Trust.

A one-man humorous stage play ‘Raashi Chakra’ by Dr. Yashwant Serdeshpande (Original Script by Sharad Upadhya; Translated to Kannada by Vivek Katarki).

Yashavant Sirdeshpande is an actor, director, producer and writer in Kannada theatre, television and silver screen. Diploma holder in theatre arts from Ninasam and specialised course in drama/ cinema writing from Tisch School, New York University, USA, Sirdeshpande heads Guru Institute, Hubballi, a non-profit cultural organisation from Karnataka. Adi Ranga Theatres is a cultural complex built by him in Hubballi. He also represents Gurubala Entertainers, Bengaluru, a production house.

He is known for witty writing, noted film ‘Rama Shama Bhama’ and ‘Amrita Dhare’ script was written by Sirdeshpande which won a State Award for him.

Till date, he has acted, written, translated, directed and produced over 100 dramas. Nearly 6,000 shows are staged all over the State and abroad.

He played a key role in organising Amerika Kannadotsava, Bahrain Kannadotsava and many such international cultural festivals. He has toured round the globe with his theatre team. As a columnist in noted Dailies of Karnataka, he has penned more than two thousand articles. Eight books are published and four are under print.

He has been awarded the Rajyotsava Award, Aryabhata Award, etc. for his significant contribution to the Kannada cultural field. Recently he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Karnataka Folklore University.

Yashavant Sirdeshpande is married to Malati, who is also a noted actress in theatre, television and cinema.