May 27 to May 31, 2004, Chowdaiah Memorial Hall
Thaalavaadyathsava by Percussive Arts Centre
The annual Thaalavaadyothsava was held for five days under the aegis of the percussive arts center, Bangalore. A complete music treat with concerts and demonstrations was an enlightening experience to one and all present amongst the audience.
This years “Palghat Mani Iyear Award” was conferred on Dr. L. Subramaniam an internationally acclaimed violinist.
On the concluding day of the festival Governor T. N. Chaturvedi conferred the title “Violin Kala Shiromani” on Dr. L. Subramaniam.
Vidwan M. Vasudeva Rao, senior percussionist was awarded this years “Palani Subramanya Pillai Award”.
Mridangist Anoor Dathatreya Sharma received “H Puttachar Award”
The Carnatic Music Association of North America has instituted an endowment (CMANA prize) for talented young artists. This year it was awarded to percussionist N. Amrit.
May 22 and 23, 2004. Rudrapatna
Music fest at Rudrapatna
Rudrapatna a small village on the banks of River Kaveri in Hassan District of Karnataka is well known for its musical heritage. To pay homage to the great artistes hailing from here, the Rudrapatna Sangeethotsava Samithi Trust has been organising a music festival in Rudrapatna the past two years. This year, the festival was held on May 22 and 23, 2004. The fest featured vocalists M.S. Sheela, Mysore M. Nagaraj, M. Manjunath, Manasi Prasad, Mysore P. Chandan Kumar (flute) and R. Karthik Hebbar.
May 14, 2004, Yavanika
Kuchipudi Recital by Sanjay Shantaram and Shama Sanjay
As part of the every Friday cultural programme, the husband and wife duo, Sanjay Shantaram and Shama Sanjay presented a Kuchipudi dance recital. The two were in perfect synchrony. The combination of lasya and tandava was evident in their performance.
Ganapati shloka adapted from Tibetan verse, Jatiswaram in Raga Vitapi, Vipra Narayana – a form of javali, Ardhanarishwara in Raga Malika, Thillana in Raga Kuntalavarali were some of the items presented.
May 8 and 9, 2004, Ambedkar Bhavan
Dakshina Uttara Sangeethothsava of Sri Ramachandar Pura Mutt.
A music festival to raise funds for a socio-developmental cause, the programme brought listeners the joy of listening to both Carnatic and Hindustani styles of music.
May 9: The jugalbandi recital by Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt on mohan veena and Pandit Parameshwar Bhatt, Hindustani vocal, was in perfect rhythm enthralling the audience. Rag Yaman and Rag Jog were the prominent ragas chosen by the two.
May 8: K. J. Yesudas, one of the finest artist of our country, enthralled everybody with his brilliant compositions and exceptional vocal abilities. Varnam, Gajavadana in Hamsadvani, Pavana guru, and Raghuvamsha Sudha were some of the numbers he sang.
May 5 to 9, 2004, Bangalore Gayana Samaj
“SANGATI” Ananya Yuva Sangeethotsava by Ananya, BTM Cultural Academy,
Sri Ramalalithakala Mandira, Sri Tyagaraja Gana Sabha Trust
Ananya in association with other cultural organizations hosted its annual music festival, Sangati – Yuva Sangeethotsava. Being held for the second consecutive year, this fest brought together over 50 musicians from across the state, providing opportunity for young artistes to showcase their talent, on one platform.
As a part of the grand finale on 9th May, Ananya awarded upcoming musicians and honored senior artistes for their dedication and selfless service to music. The young awardees presented a recital.
A special instrumental ensemble directed by Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma was also presented on the occassion.
Drishti”s Take: Wish more cultural organizations came forward and join hands to celebrate music together.
April 28 and 29, 2004, ADA Rangamandira – “Vishwa Nritya Mahotsav” of Shambhavi School of Dance
As a tribute to International Dance Day, Shambhavi School of Dance headed by dancer Vyjayanthi Kashi presented Vishwa Nritya Mahotsav.
Different dance styles by eminent artists were performed on one platform.
Oddissi – Illeana Citaristi (Bhuvaeshwar), Bharatnatyam – Padmini Ravi and ensemble, Kuchipudi – Vyjayanthi Kashi and ensemble, Kathak – Rajendra Gangani (Delhi), Contemporary – Yael Tal (Israel).
April 24, 2004, St. John’s Auditorium – Dance festival
Monisha Arts, the dance institute of Smt. Sridevi Unni celebrated ‘Geethanritha Vasanthotsava’. As part of this, a day-long festival of dance and music was held at the St. John’s Auditorium in Koramangala. The morning session featured a demo of Kalaripayattu by C. V. N. Kaliri and Yakshagana and Kathakali by Kalamandalam Sri John and Mantap Prabhakar. An orchestra by playback singer Rameshchandra, followed by felicitation to leading artistes, Vasanthotsava presentation and Mohiniattam ballet by Monisha Arts was part of day long celebration.
14 April, 2004, ADA RangaMandira, Ardhanarisvar by Rukmini Chatterjee
Dancer Rukmini Chatterjee presented Ardhanarisvar which was an encounter between the ancient arts of India, Kalaripayat, Bharatnatyam, Indian classical music and Western classical music.
The show gave more prominence to music; the presentation could have been better. This programme was organised by Alliance Francaise, Bangalore.
April 10, 2004, Thirthahalli
TUNGA MAHOTSAV by Kalatheera
Tunga Mahotsav, a dusk-to-dawn music festival, was conducted by Kalatheera in Thirthahalli, Shimoga district, Karnataka.
“In order to promote art culture in the remote place of Karnataka we want to conduct this festival every year,” says Uday Kumar Shetty, dancer and director of Kalatheera.
Artists who performed in this festival were:
Guru Smt. Maya Rao and ensemble — Kathak, Uday Kumar Shetty and ensemble (Odissi), Vani Ganapati (Bharatanatyam), Veena Murthy Vijay and grouop (Kuchipudi), Prabhath Arts International (Dance Ballet), Madhu Natraj Heri and group (Contemporary dance), Kadari Gopalnath (Saxophone).
This festival, conducted on the lines of Vasantahabba, was attended by thousands of people.
Kuvempu Namana an musical feature audio CB on the works of Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu was released on this occasion.
March 30 to May 6, 2004. Fort High School grounds, Chamarajpet
Ramanavami Festival of Sri Ramaseva Mandali Trust
A unique music festival held every year in Bangalore, for the past 66 years, is the Ramanavami festival organised by Sri Ramaseva Mandali Trust. This festival which provides rich fare of Classical Music has captivated the attention of both Musicians and Music lovers.
Kudos to the efforts of the trust in organizing a 38-day-long music festival, gathering more than hundred artists under one platform. Young artists and senior artists all come under one roof to perform on various days during this festival. Hats off to the music lovers of Bangalore who turned up in good numbers on all days.
Some of the artists who performed were: Kadrigopalnath, Bombay Sisters, M. S. Sheela, T. N. Seshagoplan, K. J. Yesudas, Rajan Mishra and Sajan MIshra, Sahana Ramchandra, R. K. Srikantan, Vijay Yesudas, Ganesh and Kumaresh, Sudha Raghunathan and many popular artists.
March 7, 2004, Ambedkar Bhavan
Hindustani vocal by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
A music concert featuring the living legend Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was organized on the occasion of the opening of the third branch of Rhythms (Jayanagar), a music institution.
It is very rarely that Bangaloreans get an opportunity to hear Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s concert. The auditorium was packed. Every composition he sang was acknowledged by thunderous applause.
Payaliya janakaye more, Naina raseele, Hari bhajane madu nirantara, Lakshmi baramma (one of the most popular Kannada numbers) and Marati abhang-Jo bhaje hari ko sada were some of the compositions sung by him.
March 6, 2004, ADA Rangamandira
AARAMBH by Rasika dance ensemble
AARAMBH was truly a new beginning and an inspiring performance by the Rasika dance ensemble (disciples of Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran). The recital opened with alaripu in a unique manner. The pada varnam, Swamiyai vara sholladi, choreographed for the group was presented in a unique format. Surdas Bhajan-Maiyya Mori, Thani Avarthanam were some of the items presented. The artists who were part of this ensemble were Ramya Janakiraman, Radhika Ramanujan, Sangeetha Punekar, Shilpa Punekar, Harini B. C., Krithika Ganesan, Charanya. L, Shivaranjani. H, Sirisha G. G., Shalini Ramesh, Aparna Samaga, Divya Ranjini and Vidya Padmam.
March 6, 2004, Srujana Dance Space
Bharatanatyam dancer Sundari Santhanam, disciple of Dr. Padma Subramanyam, performed Geeta Govinda.
Her compositions were a parade of charis and karanas. Grace and virtuosity was prominently evident in her performance. Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh spoke on each composition of Geeta Govinda giving an insight to the choreographer’s interpretations.
This programme was organised by Abhinava Arts Centre.