Mysore/Mysuru: As part of its monthly 123rd cultural outreach programme, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), Mysuru Kendra, BVB Bengaluru and Infosys Foundation, Bengaluru, have jointly organised a Dasavani programme by vocalist Vid. Dr. Vidyabhushana on Jan. 20 at BVB in Vijayanagar 1st Stage at 6 pm.

He will be accompanied by Vid. Pradesh on violin, Vid. Shivashankar Swamy on mridanga and Vid. Raghunandan Rao on ghata

Profile: Performing for more than 40 years, Dr. Vidyabhushana sings devotional songs, chiefly Haridasa compositions and Karnatak Classical Music. He has many albums to his credit including devotional songs in Kannada, Tulu and has given concerts all over the world. His first album was titled ‘Dasara Padagalu’ and the 100th titled ‘Tanu Ninnadu Jivana Ninnadu.’ He has travelled to many countries including a tour across the United States in 1999. He was honoured with the title ‘Sangeetha Vidya Nidhi’ in 1994 and with a Doctorate by Hampi University.

Dr. Vidyabhushana began to learn music when he was young, from his father Govindacharya, and for several years was a student of B.V. Narayana Aithal of Udupi. In the later years, he got training from Sangeetha Kalanidhi R.K. Srikantan and then from T.V. Gopalakrishnan of Chennai.

He continues his service to the community through ‘Bhakti Bharathi Prathistana,’ a Trust for which he is the Founder Trustee. This Trust conducts musical programmes to commemorate Purandara Dasara Aradhana and other events.

Presently he is constructing ‘Purandarashrama’ in Bengaluru. He has written an autobiography on his life ‘Nenape Sangeeta.’  A native of Dakshina Kannada district, he was the pontiff of Subrahmanya Matha, before becoming a full-time singer. In 1997, he decided to give up the sanyasa and entered into wedlock.

He lives with his wife Rama and two children in Bengaluru.