Mysuru: Vidwan Praveen D. Rao said that senior Sugama Sangeetha singer H.R. Leelavathi, who has been singing for over four decades, is the Pole Star (Dhruva Taare) of Sugama Sangeetha field.

He was speaking at the valedictory of the four-day ‘Nalavattara Nalivu,’ organised by Sugama Sangeetha Academy Trust, in association with Kannada and Culture Department, marking 40 years of the Trust, at Ganabharathi’s Ramagovinda Kalavedike in Kuvempunagar on Apr. 20.

Pointing out that hearing the life of H.R. Leelavathi is like listening to the stories of great poets and writers of Kannada, Vidwan Praveen Rao said that Leelavathi’s life opens up once she starts speaking about her association with great poets and personalities.

Stating that Leelavathi has given a new direction to Sugama Sangeetha by composing poems of literary stalwarts such as Kuvempu, Da.Ra. Bendre, Gopalakrishna Adiga, G.S. Shivarudrappa, Prof. Nisar Ahmed etc., he said that the veteran singer has introduced many a budding and talented singers through Sugama Sangeetha Academy Trust, which she established 40 years ago.

‘Hadagi Haridale,’ a unique music programme featuring songs, music compositions and poems by H.R. Leelavathi, was presented on the occasion.

Noted playback singer Sunitha Murali sang ‘Hotti Urida’ song written by Prof. K.S. Nisar Ahmed. Well-known singers Lakshmi Nagaraj, Indu Nagaraj, Keerthan Holla and Srilakshmi Belmannu performed, which enthralled the gathering.

They were accompanied by Samir Rao on flute, C. Vishwanath on mandolin, Shanmukha Sajja on keyboard, Venugopal Raju on tabla and Vinay Rangadhol on rythm pad.

Singer B.K. Sumitra, Dr. Rohini Mohan, Indu Vishwanath, actress Ankitha Amar, Sukumar, S. Raghuram and others were present.