Mysuru: JSS Sangeetha Sabha is conducting a Jugalbandi Concert in memory of its Founder late S. Mahadevappa, tomorrow (Jan. 1) at 5.30 pm at Navajyothi auditorium in JSS Women’s College, Saraswathipuram.

Violin-Mandolin Jugalbandi, entitled ‘Dhanyasi’, which was a favourite raga of Mahadevappa, will be presented by Dr. Mysore Manjunath and U. Rajesh, accompanied by Bangalore V. Praveen on mridanga, Praveen Narayanan on tabla and Swaminathan Selvaganesh on kanjira.

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Mahadevappa was born in a small village called Mudigundam near Mysuru. Born with natural talents in music and other arts, he got initiated to classical music very early. He had his formal training in vocal music and violin under Narayanaswamy of Kollegal.

Later he was accepted as a student by one of the great musicians of Karnataka T. Puttaswamiah, younger brother of legendary T. Chowdiah. Mahadevappa had a rigorous training in a traditional Gugukula system. It was here where Mahadevappa was introduced to great musical ideas of chaste classical music.

Mahadevappa’s artistry is the quintessence of the pristine purity of the respected Bidaram School of Sri Thyagarajaswamy Paramapara in which he is the torch-bearer.

It did not take long for Mahadevappa to establish as a leading violinist as his outstanding violin skills were recognised by one and all. He had the opportunity to widen his musical ideas by accompanying some of the greatest musicians of yesteryears. One of the most successful violinists and teachers, Mahadevappa was offered the post of the Head of the Department of Violin at the University of Mysore where he served as a Professor for almost 26 years.

Consolidating the enormous achievements of his predecessors and different new approach of contemporary Violinists, Mahadevappa designed totally new and complete Violin techniques creating an ideal style to express the great versatility of Violin with strict adherence to the Classicism.

He imparted rigorous training to his children — Mysore Nagaraj and Dr. Mysore Manjunath, popular as Mysore Brothers, in this style. With the fidelity to pitch, rhythm and ornamentation, and proper perception of the musical spirit of great composers, Mysore Brothers could stand out as deeply evolved musicians.

Dr. Mysore Manjunath

An amazingly gifted Violin maestro, Dr. Mysore Manjunath was a remarkable child prodigy who matured quickly to emerge as one of the top-ranking Violinist in India today.

From child prodigy to trailblazer, captivating audiences and critics, Dr. Manjunath has created an amazing record as Star performer in prestigious organisations world over.

U. Rajesh

U. Rajesh is the younger brother of late U. Srinivas, a notable mandolin player in Karnatak Classical music, in India. In his childhood, his father and brother were his tutors in music. He started playing Karnatak Classical music on mandolin at the age of 6, and performed his first concert, at Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in the presence of Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi.

He and his brother have performed in concerts together, and have released musical albums together. He is one of the directors of the music school, Srinivas Institute of World Music Chennai, Tamil Nadu, which is providing free musical tuition to the students.

His work with John McLaughlin’s album Floating Point, received a Grammy nomination in 2009. He was the youngest participant in the Magic Mandolin Festival,  has performed at the Lincoln Centre, New York City, and has given concerts in BBC Live at London, Melbourne Concert Hall, Cité de la Musique, Paris, Greece, Canada, Middle-East, United States, and Europe.

Rajesh has performed live with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra with Dominique Di Piazza, KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, and Closer home with Stephen Devassy.

His music performance at New York in 2006 was voted among the best concerts of the year, by The New Yorker. He was specially honoured by the President of India in April 2007.