MJS Birth Centenary Year (May 20, 2023 – May 20, 2024)

Mysore/Mysuru: Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha has organised ‘Veena Gana Sambhrama’ — two Veena Concerts to celebrate the Centenary Year of Vid. Sri M.J. Sreenivasa (MJS), a great teacher and performer of veena — at its premises on JLB Road in city on May 20 and 21. The programme is an endowment by MJS family and students.

May 20 (5.30 pm): Veena Concert by Dr. R.S. Jayalakshmi and C. Charulata accompanied by Vid. Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma on mridanga and Vid. R. Srinidhi on ghata.

May 21 (5.30 pm): Veena Concert by Vid. Mudikondan S.N. Ramesh accompanied by Vid. B.R. Sridhar on mridanga and Vid.Sharath Kaushik on ghata.

His centenary year is celebrated by organising different programmes throughout the year in Mysuru,  Bengaluru, Hassan and Tumakuru.

Profile: Ganakalabhushana Vid. M.J. Sreenivasa (MJS) Iyengar is a vainika par excellence and also a teacher of highest order.

Born to B. Janardhana Iyengar and Janakamma couple on May 20, 1924, he started learning veena from his father and then he became the disciple of Veena Venkatagiriyappa, a great doyen of Mysore style of Veena playing.

MJS added his individual talent and creativity to what was imparted by his teacher and evolved the famous MJS style. He blended subtle nuances of vocal style to the Mysore style of playing. This became the hallmark of MJS style.

An ‘A Top’ artiste of Akashavani and Doordarshan, he was the recipient of many awards and accolades like Ganakalabhushana of the Karnataka Ganakala Parishat, Ganakala Tilaka of Sangeeth Nritya Akademi, Chowdaiah Memorial Kalajyothi Award, Ananya Life-time Achievement Award Ananya Kousthubha, Kanaka Purandara Award by the Government of Karnataka (first veena player to receive this award), Kannada Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka.