Mysore/Mysuru: Sangeetha Kalanidhi Mysore Vasudevacharya (1865-1961) is usually considered to be the most prolific among the post-Trinity Vaggeyakaras (those who compose lyrics and music together) in the field of Karnatak music.

He is credited with over 200 songs, which are regularly used in concerts and form the concert-highlight in many cases.

Mysore Vasudevacharya was a prominent Asthana Vidwan in Mysore Palace and was among the most sought-after performers during his times. He lived in the house on New Sayyaji Rao Road in Agrahara, where he taught music to many enthusiasts and developed the place into an active centre for music and literature.

It is said, a number of musicians, including Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi, used to visit the house to learn from and have discussions with the celebrated composer.

This house, donated to him by the people of the city in 1933, has been under the ownership of his descendants ever since Sri Acharya was persuaded in 1953 to shift to Chennai to serve at Kalakshetra, a centre for art and culture.

The house, which had been rented out for many years, however, went deserted in 2008, till some music-enthusiasts stepped in 2017 to save it from going to ruins. The musicians of the city have since developed this place into a centre for music and it has now grown into a much sought-after destination for all musicians visiting the city.

Acharya’s birthday (May 28) and his death anniversary (May 17) are being observed at his house almost every year. His 65th Punyatiti is being observed this year on the ensuing Sunday (May 17), by disciples of Vidu. M.L. Bharathi, a renowned music teacher in the city.

The programme for Sunday will comprise: (i) A brief presentation on the life and achievements of Sri Vasudevacharya by Dr. Deepika Madhav Pandurangi; (ii) Group singing of composition of Sri Acharya and other composers in the lineage of Saint Thyagaraja, to whose parampara Sri Acharya belonged, by Vidu. Bharathi and her disciples.

The vocalists are being supported on violin by Vid. M.R. Srikanth and on mridanga by Vid. V.S. Ramesh.

The programme, starting at 10.30 am and lasting about two hours, is open to all music-lovers. Sri Acharya’s house is located near Basaveshvara Circle in Agrahara.

Profiles

Vidu. Bharathi is among the city’s senior-most music teachers. A student of Asthana Vidwan  B. Shivappa, she is an M.Music from the University Fine Arts College, Mysuru. In her career spanning nearly six decades, she has trained hundreds of students and has authored text books that guide students appearing for the board music examinations. She has also composed and presented a number of music ensembles and group performances.

Dr. Deepika, a worthy descendent of the Vasudevacharya’s family, is a well-known personality in the field of ‘Haridasa Sahitya.’ She holds the degrees of M.Com and MA in Bharatanatyam and has a Ph.D in Dasa Sahitya. She has presented hundreds of lecture-demonstrations on literature, music and cultural treasures of Karnataka. She has composed music for many songs of Haridasas and presented numerous programmes based on them. She has penned innumerable articles for magazines related to Madhva-philosophy and has authored three books worth a mention.

Dr. Deepika is a well-known compere and has the credit of conducting numerous programmes for different TV channels too. She has also composed, directed and lent voice to many ‘geetha-rupakas’  and dance-dramas.