Conferring of Nadabrahma title on Dr. Padma Murthy and ‘Nadakishori’ on Vidu. Akshata Rudrapatna

Mysuru: Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha will be celebrating the 69th Anniversary on Jan. 4 and 5. This is being conducted in memory of its earlier President for a decade who was also a noted surgeon of the city in yesteryears — Dr. A.K. Gopalarajan.

On Jan. 4 at 6 pm, it is customary to give a full-fledged performance by the winner of Nadakishorotsava-2024. First place was secured by Vidu. Akshata Rudrapatna. She will present a Karnatak Classical Vocal Concert accompanied by Vid. Aditya Manikarnika on violin, Vid. Pranav Subrahmanya on mridanga and Vid. Dheemanth Bhat on ghata.

This programme is sponsored in memory of late Smt. Rukmini Ammal and Sri Ramaswamy Iyengar by Madhuri Thathachari.

Profile: Born to R.N. Sheshadri and R.S. Anuradha, Akshata Rudrapatna, a graded artiste of AIR, is the disciple of Ganakalabhushana Vid. R.K. Padmanabha since 2002. Recipient of CCRT & Sangeetha Nritya Academy Scholarships, she has presented thematic and challenging performances in India and abroad.

On Jan. 5 at 6 pm, as part of Dr. A.K. Gopalarajan Memorial Day and Anniversary of Sabha, Dr. Padma Murthy will be conferred with the title ‘Nadabrahma,’ Vidu. Akshata Rudrapatna with the ‘Nadakishori’ title while Vidu. Pragna Adiga (2nd), Vid. S.S. Satwik & Vid. K.P. Pranav (3rd prize), Vid. Aditya Manikarnika (Best Violinist), Vid. Pranav Subrahmanya (Best Mridangist) and Vid. TRK Brothers (Best Male Vocalist – Ballary M. Venkateshachar Award) will receive the prizes won                                                                     during ‘Nadakishorotsava- 2024’ competitions.

‘Nadabrahma’ title & Cash Award is sponsored by Chitraveena N. Ravikiran in the name of Digvijaya Nadavani Nadabrahma Vidya Varidhi Vid. Gotuvadyam Narayana Iyengar for Musical Excellence; Cash Awards for Nadakishorothsava Winners is sponsored by Dr. K.V. Lakshmi Devi, K.V. Sarala S. Kumar and K.V. Umadevi.

Subsequently, Sri K.V. Venkateshiah and Smt. K.V. Girijamma Memorial Karnatak Classical Vocal Concert will be presented by Vidu. Varada Shridhar Kulkarni. She will be accompanied by Dr. Veena Suresh on violin, Vid. G.S. Ramanujan on mridanga and Vid. V.S. Ramesh on morching. This concert is sponsored by fraternity of Doctors and well-wishers.

Profile: The 92-year-old Dr. Padma Murthy has a Mysuru connection. Born to freedom fighter T.S. Rajagopal Iyengar and Jayalakshmi on July 24, 1932, Dr. Padma trained under Music stalwarts Mysore Vasudevacharya, Pitilu Chowdiah, T. Puttaswamaiah, Thitte Krishna Iyengar, Ralapalli  Ananthakrishna Sharma and others.

She learnt Veena from noted musicians H.S. Krishnamurthy and R.S. Keshavamurthy. Her husband T.S. Murthy is a renowned violinist.

Getting a Doctorate Degree from Bangalore University for her thesis on ‘The Psychology of Music’, Dr. Padma headed the Department of Performing Arts of Bangalore University.

Varada, daughter of Shridhar and Gayatri Kulkarni, started learning Karnatak Classical Music at the young age of 6 initially under the guidance of Vid. Kamala Murthy and Vid. Aparna Murthy. Later she continued with Vid. Shrimati Parthasarathy and achieved distinction in her Karnatak Vocal                                                     senior exam. Currently she is under the guidance of Swaralayaratna Vid. Charulata Ramanujam, Ganakalashree Vid.  Kalavathy Avadhoot and Ganakalashree  Vid. H.S. Sudhindra.

She has had the honour of performing at the 94th birth anniversary of Padma Bhushan Dr. Gangubai Hangal and the 60th memorial anniversary of Pandit Sawai Gandharva.

She is also a devoted teacher, imparting her knowledge to young aspirants of music.