The Sangeetha Sabhas and Dance Schools of Mysuru have gotten together to celebrate and felicitate two of its own eminent achievers — Musicologist Dr. R. Sathyanarayana and Violinist Dr. Mysore M. Manjunath. The function is at Mysuru Vasudevacharya Bhavana, Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha, JLB Road, on Tuesday the 20th, from 6 pm.

The icing on the cake happened when the duo got National-level awards (though not for the first time) almost simultaneously, quite recently. Dr. Sathyanarayana was awarded the coveted Padma Shri and Dr. Manjunath got the Kendriya Sangeeth Natak Academy award.

Mahamahopadhyaya Dr.  Sathyanarayana, a nona-genarian, an internationally reputed musicologist and danceologist , belongs to the lineage of saint composer Sadhguru Thyagaraja. A Ph.D in Chemistry, this teacher, researcher, administrator, orator, writer and mentor has been highly decorated for his exploits spread over many decades. He has published many research papers, books translations etc. His total publications exceed some 20,000 printed pages.

Dr. Manjunath, a trailblazer right from the days when he was a child prodigy, has been captivating and mesmerising audiences all over the globe. This pride of Mysuru is the son and disciple of renowned violinist late Prof. S. Mahadevappa. A gold medallist and Ph.D from the University of Mysore, he has been anointed the Cultural Ambassador of the University. He is the first Indian violinist to deliver a lecture and perform at the prestigious International Violin Conference at San Diego. A cerebral violinist, he has done workshops, lecture demonstrations and concerts in many reputed Universities of the world like University of Osaka, Japan, Shantiniketan, IIT Kharagpur, University of Georgia, University of Chicago, to name a few. He has performed in places like the Royal Albert Hall, London and Sydney Opera House. His awards kitty includes Kannada Rajyotsava, Sangeeth Natak Academy award, Sangeeta Samrat…all at a young age.

Swami Atmajnananandaji, Head of Ramakrishna Ashram, Mysuru, will felicitate the awardees. Kala Seva Ratna  K.V. Murthy, Art Patron and industrialist, will preside. The function starts off with a flute recital by Vidu. Smitha Srikiran, accompanied by Vid. Sumanth on the violin, Vid. A. Radhesh on the mrudanga and Vid. S. Manjunath on the ghata.

—Veena Arun Kumar