Sir,

This refers to the three-part write-up on T.S. Venkannayya under the column ‘Mysore Memories’ by Dr. Bhagirath S. Naganath (Star of Mysore dated Apr.14, 15 and 16).

It brought about in sharp focus the many splendored personality of late Venkannayya that captures the life and times of this physical and intellectual giant who left a lasting legacy of a bygone era.

Star of Mysore has done a yeoman service to the citizens of Mysuru to know the greatness  of the personality of Venkannayya. He captivated and amazed many of his colleagues and shaped the life of students who in turn achieved great name and fame.

My attention was drawn in the first part of the article where a reference is made to DVG’s poem ‘Vanasuma’ which was among  Venkannayya’s favourite and he persuaded A.R. Krishnasastry to adopt it as the prayer song of the Karnataka Sangha.

It was my father H. Ramanna, who set Athaana tune and he was singing this song as an invocation song in all the functions in Maharaja’s College. That is how he became very famous as ‘Athaana Ramanna.’ He was the favourite Shishya of B.M. Srikantaiah and he has set the tune for all the songs of English Geethegalu by BMSri. Prof. J.C. Rollo called my father as ‘Silver Tongued Ramanna.’

– H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana, Saraswathipuram, 17.4.2023

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