An initiative by Dr. Geetha Seetharam

Connoisseurs of Karnatak Classical music in Mysuru are fortunate to be served by music sabhas organising concerts at well-marked venues by both artistes of eminence and up‘n’coming fraternity with promise of etching their name in foreseeable future. The fact that most of the occasions witnessing concerts by artistes representing other forms of music, namely Hindustani, Western, Folk Music, Devotional renderings and even Film Music attract patrons in large numbers mirrors an abiding interest among the city’s residents across all age groups.

The names of past giants in the field of music who took residence in Mysuru as well as the legends who are very much amidst us are on the lips of music patrons of the city who grace the concerts regularly. The cause of music in Mysuru has not been lost even a wee bit in our times, thanks to the many well-known office-bearers of the music sabhas offering both financial and professional help and guidance.

Dr. Geetha Seetharam

Mysuru has long been home to both onstage artistes, who have enthralled audiences by their stellar performances and also composers and musicologists connecting the music-lovers with knowledge on nuances of the divine muse. One of them among the highly rated artistes of Mysuru is Dr . Geetha Seetharam, revered by a wide circle of her students and well-wishers for her multi-sided works as a prolific author, playwright, vocalist in many languages familiar to music-loving public of the city.

Saint Thyagaraja’s lyrics

While the Trinity of Classical Karnatak music have enriched the stock of lyrics being rendered at the concerts, Saint Thyagaraja’s compositions in Telugu have been the main stay of that voluminous literary works. The just-published Kannada version of the Saint’s 50 selected compositions in Telugu as part-2 is sure to be welcomed, specially due to the scholarly inputs by Dr. Geetha enabling the Kannada-centric listeners to grasp the philosophical and spiritual message of the Saint. Titled as Naadabrahma Rachanamritha, the 58-page publication as well as the CD titled Thyagaraja Githamritha with the rendering of the compositions melodiously were released at a function in city last month. The book is modestly priced at Rs. 100.

The author has indicated the raaga as well as taala applicable to each of the 50 compositions. She has also included a glossary of 50 unfamiliar words (clistha padagalu) with meaning in Kannada. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, President of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, Swami Atmajnanandaji and Head of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Mysuru, Rajayogini B.K. Lakshmiji have expressed deep appreciation and blessed the author.— BRS