Carnatic ragas at Technology Institute
By Sukanya, BITS - Pilani student and Sangamam co-ordinator

Ragamalika, the classical music and dance club of BITS, a well known technology education campus in India's northern town of Pilani, was established in 1990 by a group of young enthusiasts, for the purpose of nurturing India's rich cultural heritage and showcasing our fine arts. Ragamalika conducts cultural programs and concerts on the BITS campus over the course of each semester. Its members are actively involved in the organization and management of the events, apart from performing themselves.

The most important programme that Ragamalika showcases is Sangamam, a three-day extravaganza conducted in February every year. It features eminent artistes from all over the country performing in the BITS auditorium for a cosmopolitan audience of 1500. Sangamam also features a scintillating inaugural performance by Ragamalika. Every member of Ragamalika looks forward to the festival, being involved in all stages of its conceptualization, organization, finances, sponsorship, etc.

The BITS auditorium has seen the performances of many acclaimed artistes ­ Ganesh and Kumaresh, Bombay Jayashree Ramnath, Sudha Raghunathan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, S. Sowmya, Nithyashree Mahadevan, Priya Sisters, Shankar Shanbogue, Shriram Parashuram, sisters Ranjani and Gayathri, O S Thyagarajan, Mandolin U Srinivas, U P Raju and Nagamani, dancers Urmila Sathyanarayanan and Priyadarsini Govind, Mangala Bhatt, brothers Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Unnikrishnan, T M Krishna, et al.

Ten years of Sangamam

In 2006, Sangamam proudly marched into its tenth year and February saw BITS transformed into the cultural oasis of the area yet again. The first day, 24th, started off with great style by the local artistes. After an invocation with a traditional Ganesha Kauthvam, came the main piece of the dance - a depiction of the Panchabhoothas and associated Navarasas, with the help of stories like that of Prahalada, Chandalika, etc. The concluding piece was a thillana in Nalinakanthi.

The performance was immediately followed by a Carnatic vocal concert by Neyveli Santhanagopalan. The second day had Kadri Gopalnath, accompanied by violinist Kanyakumari, enthralling the audience with their mellifluous notes. The third and final performance was a Bharatanatyam recital by Rama Vaidyanathan. Her takes on Krishna's life, through the main piece varnam and other pieces, were quite entertaining.