A fertile bed that promotes music and musicians, Sangeetha Sabhas are undoubtedly one of the foremost organisations which hold the cultural fabric of the society together.

Founded in 1983 by Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji, JSS Sangeetha Sabha is among the prestigious institutions which strives for promoting classical music. It is the only Sabha in Mysuru to conduct Annual Music Conferences which features lecture-demonstrations, performances by top artistes and talented youngsters.

In every Conference held, a senior musician is invited and designated as the President of the Conference, which he presides over. On the valedictory function, they will be conferred with the title ‘Sangeetha Vidyanidhi.’ The Conference is held in the memory of Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Swamiji under the guidance of Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji.

This 28th Music Conference, which will be held from Dec. 2 to 6 at Navajyothi auditorium in JSS Women’s College premises, Saraswathipuram, will be presided over by the veteran mridangist A.V. Anand.

SCHEDULE

There will be two events a day, a lecture-demonstration in the morning by eminent musicians and musicologists. In the evening, a one-hour slot from 5.30 to 6.30 featuring young and upcoming artistes, followed by the main concert for the day.

December 2

5.30 pm: The event will be inaugurated in the divine presence of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji. Bangalore (North) University Vice-Chancellor Niranjan Vanalli and former MLC G. Madhusudan will be the chief guests.

6.30 pm: Flute recital by Heramba and Hemantha, accompanied by Vaibhav Ramani on violin, Arjun Kumar on mridanga and by G.S. Ramanujan on ghata.

December 3

10 am: Vocal performance by disciples of Dr. R.N. Srilatha followed by a lecture-demonstration on ‘Experiences of a musicians’ life’ by  A.V. Anand; ‘The evolution of Indian and Western Musical Fusion’ by Dr. Priyanka Venkatesh, USA; ‘The intricacies of the “Daatu” Prayoga’ by G.K. Manamohan.

5.30 pm: Violin duet by Sumukh Chandra and Rupanagudi Ratna Teja, accompanied by Nandan Kashyap on mridanga.

6.30 pm: Vocal concert by Sriranjani Santhanagopalan, accompanied by Deepika Venkatraman on violin, Kishore Ramesh on mridanga and Sunad Anur on kanjira.

December 4

10 am: Vocal performance by Students of Raga Laya (Disciples of Bellary M. Raghavendra) followed by a lecture-demonstration on ‘The impact of the Indian flute on global music’ by Amith Nadig; ‘The growing influence of kanjira on world music’ by   G. Guruprasanna.

5.30 pm: Veena concert by Aishwarya Manikarnike, accompanied by Nandan Kashyap on mridanga and T.N. Ajay on ghata.

6.30 pm: Vocal duet by Carnatica Brothers — K.N. Shashikiran & P. Ganesh — accompanied by Avaneeshwaram Vinu on violin,  Srimushnam V. Raja Rao on mridanga and G. Guruprasanna on kanjira.

December 5

10 am: Vocal performance by disciples of Vidu. Koviladi R. Kala followed by lecture-demonstration on ‘Role of mridanga in the embellishment of music’ by Srimushnam V. Raja Rao; ‘Tala and Laya in Music’ by Bellary

M. Raghavendra.

5.30 pm: Vocal duet by Mahati and Vipanchee, accompanied by C.V. Shruti on violin and Keshava Datta on mridanga.

6.30 pm: Vocal concert by Gayathri Venkataraghavan, accompanied by V. Srikanth on violin, K.U. Jayachandra Rao on mridanga and Sharath Kaushik on ghata.

December 6

5.30 pm: Vocal concert by Sampagodu Vighnaraja, accompanied by Mattur R. Srinidhi on violin, A.V. Anand on mridanga and Vyasa Vittala on kanjira.

7.30 pm: The valedictory function and award ceremony in the presence of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, presided by Mysore M. Nagaraj, in which A.V. Anand will be conferred with the title ‘Sangitha Vidya Nidhi’ and Aravinda Hebbar will be conferred with title ‘Sangitha Seva Nidhi’.

Artistes’ Profile

Heramba and Hemantha

Heramba and Hemantha are the twin brothers. They are two of the most promising flautists in the Karnatak music scenario today. They are currently studying Information Science Engineering at JIT, Bengaluru. They started learning both Karnatak Vocal and Karnatak Flute at the age of 7. The duo travelled and have performed in various prestigious Sabhas in the country. They were accompanied by accomplished and senior artistes and have received valuable appreciation from scholars and laymen alike. They demonstrate depth and proximity to the lyrical aspect of composition, representing the gayaki style of music.

Sriranjani Santhanagopalan

The daughter of the senior Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Sriranjani Santhanagopalan is one of the most sought-after musicians. With an arresting voice, capable of rendering every nuance in high speed and slow glides, she is at home in all aspects of her genre, from the weighty Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi to the poignant Bhajan. She has performed extensively within India and abroad including the USA, Singapore, UK, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, etc. Sriranjani also runs a highly successful music school namely ‘Sriranjani’s Tapasya.’ She is an “A” graded artiste of the All India Radio (AIR) and has many accolades throughout her career.

Carnatica Brothers

Grandsons of the legendary Gottuvadyam Narayana Iyengar, Kalaimamani K.N. Shashikiran and P. Ganesh are cousins who sing as the vocal duo Carnatica Brothers. They stormed the Karnatak music world at the age of two as child prodigies and have since emerged as front-ranking musicians. They have performed over 3,500 concerts, lecture-demonstrations and fusion concerts around the world. They have garnered critical acclaim and popularity with their emotive style of singing and their strict adherence to classicism. One of their incredible feats was a 24-hour marathon concert on Sept. 9 and 10, 2006, on the occasion of World Peace Day.

 Gayatri Venkataraghavan

Blessed with a sublime, melodious voice, Gayathri Venkataraghavan has created a niche for herself in the world of Carnatic Music. She has honed her skill through the years making her an extremely sought-after artiste both in India and abroad. She belongs to the Sishya Parampara of Vidwan A. Sundharesan and Padma Bhushan Awardee Sri P.S. Narayanaswamy. She actively teaches and conducts workshops. She is a recipient of many awards — Shanmuga Sangeetha Sironmani, Lifetime Achievement Award and Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi Award.

Sampagodu Vighnaraja

At his 5th year, Vigharaja began his tutelage under his father D.S. Suryanarayanan who belongs to the GNB school. He is also a self-taught flautist and slide guitarist. He headed the instrument section at Temple of Fine Arts in Kuala Lumpur for 6 years, conducted various workshops in Malaysia & Tainan University of Technology, Taiwan. He is the Founder-Director of Surya Global Music Academy at Bengaluru and has composed various Varanas, Tillanas among many other compositions. He is an ‘A’ graded artiste of AIR and is recognised by the Indian Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

About Conference President

One of the senior-most and feted mridanga Vidwans, Bengaluru-based A.V. Anand has been active on the kutcheri circuit since his debut in 1947. He has played for a spectrum of luminaries across five generations starting with Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Mysore T. Chowdiah, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, R.K Srikantan, M.D. Ramanathan, V. Doreswamy Iyengar, D.K. Pattammal, M.L. Vasanthakumari to the artistes of today. Recipient of several honours, the spry 82-year-old wears many hats as guru, composer, percussion ensemble director and author. Drawing from a rich store of memories and experiences, the maestro traces his musical journey.