Karnataka Ganakala Parishat organised its 35th music conference for vidwans and young musicians, from October 6 to 10, at Ramanathapura in Karnataka.

This was the first time that the conference was organised in a village. Earlier, it was held in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai or some other District Head Quarters of Karnataka. Ramanathapura is a small village on the banks of River Cauvery in Arkalgud Taluk, Hassan District of Karnataka. A pilgrimage center, it houses temples of Hari, Hara and here. This gave a special charm to the conference. Musicians and connoisseurs from various parts had come to Ramanathapura for the celebrations.

Vidushi Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar conducted a four-day camp for the local villagers. The first four days of the conference featured music concerts, lec-dems and audio - visuals presented by various artistes.

The final day's programme started with 'Unchavruthi' in a traditional manner. All the musicians went around the village, for about two hours from 8 am, singing different krithis of Thyagaraja, Dikshitar, Syama Shastry and Hari Dasa. This was followed by a Nadaswara recital by Bangalore. M. Kodanadaram. Vidwan R.K.Srikantan presided over and Prof. S.K. Ramchandra Rao, and senior violinist M.S. Gopalakrishnan were the chief guests.

Sahana Ramchandra sang the invocation. Parishat Vice President Dr. A.H. Rama Rao made the welcome speech. Parishat General Secretary, Mysore. V. Subramanya read out the report of the Parishat activities.

The title 'Ganakalabhusana' was conferred on the conference President Dr. T.Sachidevi. Experts committee Chairman Vidushi Sukanya Prabhakar read out the citation. Prof. S.K. Ramchandra Rao felicitated Dr. T.Sachidevi and presented the gold medal and citation. Also Jyothi Memorial Award sponsored by B.N.V. Subramanya was also presented to the conference President.

The title 'Ganakala Sri' was conferred on H.K. Venkatram, President of the Young Musicians Conference. Youth Wing Convener R. Karthik Hebbar read out the citation. M.S. Gopalakrishnan felicitated H.K. Venkatram and presented the citation and honoured him. Dr. A.H. Rama Rao presented the 'Rama Sudha Trust Award' to Venkatram.

Musicians Venkatesh, M. Vasudeva Rao, M. Kodanadaram, Gauramma Nagraj, T. Sharada, N. Nangundaswamy, Shanta Narashimhan and Kasturi Rangan for the field of social service were also honoured on the occasion.

Prof S.K. Ramchandra Rao said that this was the first time that the conference had a special charm as it was happening in a small village. M.S. Gopalakrishnan said he was happy to be at the conference. idwan R.K. Srikantan said that youngsters have to listen to the music of yester year personalities, and he also appreciated the work done by Vidwan R.K. Padmanabha, the Parishat President in organizing kutcheris outside the regular circuits and trying to reach out to rasikas on the countryside.

After the main event the musicians joined together to sing the Pancharatna krithis.

For more information on the music conference, you can write to R.K. Phalgun at rkphalgun@yahoo.com