Four-day programmes from Feb. 21 to 24

Mysuru: As part of its 22nd anniversary celebrations, Sri Krishna Ganasabha, Mysuru,  has organised Music Concerts, Piteel Chowdiah Jayanthi, Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar X Jayanthi, Thyagaraja and Purandaradasara Aradhana Mahotsava from Feb. 21 to 24 at the Sabha’s Alwar Kala Bhavana in Gokulam III Stage.On Feb. 21, Sangeetha Kala Shikhamani Piteel Chowdiah Jayanthi programme will be inaugurated by Dr. K. Chidananda Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga at 6 pm. The inauguration will be followed by felicitation to Dr. K.B. Ganapathy, Founder-Editor, Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra, who was conferred the Hon. Doctorate by the University of Mysore during the 103rd Annual Convocation Ceremony in October 2023.

B.S. Sridhara Raj Urs, President, Sri Krishna Ganasabha, will preside.

The evening will conclude with a Violin Duet by Vidwan Vittal Ramamurthy and Vidwan Srihari Vittal. They will be accompanied by Vidwan A. Radhesh on mridanga and Vidwan M.R. Manjunath on ghata.

On Feb. 22,  Maharaja Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar X Jayanthi celebrations will be held at the same venue  at 6 pm. Amshi Prasannakumar, Senior Journalist, will be the chief guest.

On the occasion, Vyakyana will be presented by Vidwan K.P. Manjunath, Lecturer and Vyakhyanakararu while Kavya Vachana will be by Vidushi Shubha Raghavendra, a noted Gamaki and Gayaki of Mysuru on the topic ‘Krishna Bedhopaya’ from Karnataka Bharatha Kathamanjari, written by Kumara Vyasa.

On Feb.23 at 6.30 pm, a Music Concert, sponsored by Dr. C.M. Muniramappa and Family in memory of their parents, will be presented by Vidwan Mysore N. Srinath (vocal) accompanied by Vidwan M.D. Arjun on violin, Vidwan P.S. Sridhar on mridanga and Vidwan V.S. Ramesh on morching at the Alwar Kala    Bhavana in Gokulam.

On Feb.24, Thyagaraja and Purandaradasara Aradhana Mahotsava will be celebrated by the Sabha with a  Ghosti Gayana led by Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar at 9.30 am followed by Karnatak Vocal Music by Vidushi Medha Manjunath along with Vidushi C.V. Shruthi on violin, Vidwan M.S. Jayaram on mridanga and Vidwan M.J. Kiran Kumar on ghata.

Artistes’ profiles

Vittal Ramamurthy, who began learning Karnatak music from his mother Krishnaveni, was introduced to violin by his grandfather, Sangeetha Bhushanam B.V. Subba Rao. He continued training under Hosahalli Venkataram and T. Rukmini.

He has performed over 6,000 concerts all over the world, accompanied Lalgudi Jayaraman in his vocal, violin duet and trio concerts and has also accompanied veteran vocalists including D. K. Jayaraman, Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, R.K. Srikanthan, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan, O.S. Thyagarajan, T.K. Govinda Rao, T. V. Sankaranarayanan, K.J. Yesudas, Bombay Sisters and Sudha Raghunathan among others including current generation of vocalists and high-profile instrumentalists.

Srihari Vittal, born into a family of musicians, started his initial training in Karnatak music under his grandmother Krishnaveni Hebbar and his mother Chandrika. He is learning violin from his father Vittal Ramamurthy. Currently, he is pursuing his 3rd year degree in BSc. Hotel Management in SRM Chennai.

Vidwan Mysore N. Srinath had  training from stalwarts of Karnatak music like K.G. Kanakalakshmi, Dr. S. Ramanathan, R. K. Narayanaswamy, R.N. Tyagarajan and now he is under the tutelage of R.N. Taranathan. A ‘B high’ graded artiste of All India Radio, he is known for his pristine music. He has performed in very prestigious sabhas both in India and abroad. He holds a Vidwat degree in Karnatak classical music. At present, he teaches music at Pramathi Hill View Academy in city.

Vidu. Medha Manjunath started learning Music from the age of six years. An M.A (Music) and B.E (Electronics) degree holder, she is the daughter of Musician mother Meera Manjunath and Prof. R.A. Manjunath and married to Vid. Vinod  Shyam Anoor.

Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar and Vid. Anoor Anantha Sharma are her teachers. Medha has given performances all over Karnataka and is a recipient of many awards.