Mysore V. Subramanya, senior reviewer of fine arts and musicologist, presided over the experts sessions held from Aug. 14 to 19, daily in the mornings.

In commemoration of Suvarna Karnataka (fifty years of formation of the State of Karnataka), the theme of the Conference was Karnatakada Vaaggeya Vaibhava (Splendour of Compositions of Karnataka Composers). Evening programmes by eminent artists were held daily from Aug.13 for eight days.

The Conference was Inaugurated on Aug, 13 I. M. Vittala Murthy, Secretary to Govt. of Karnataka, Kannada and Culture, Information and Tourism. Senior vocalist Madurai T. N. Seshagopalan, President of the 37th Music Conference formally proposed the name of Mysore V. Subramanya as President of the 38th Music Conference.


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Felicitation to Justice Sri.B.N.Srikrishna at Sadas. (From left), Dr.M.R.V.Prasad, H.Kamalanath,President BGS, and S.R.Sitharam

Vittala Murthy in his inaugural address said “Gayana Samaja, by electing a reviewer of fine arts as Conference President, has encouraged development of music.”
He said it was highly appropriate that Gayana Samaja has chosen the theme Karnatakada Vaaggeya Vaibhava in the year of Suvarna Karnataka. He invited suggestions from the experts sessions on the conducting of the year long celebrations of Suvarna Karnataka by the Government to highlight to the nation the achievements of the State. Responding to the request of the Samaja President for assistance for expansion of its activities,Vittala Murthy assured the Government’s consideration.

In a well prepared, thought provoking and educative Conference President’s address Mysore V.Subramanya traced the origins of music from the earliest times and how it has blended into man’s life. Classical music was a difficult art to learn in gurukula system and was upasana. Its practice and perfection was tapas (penance). With the changing times and increase in number of students, there is need to make teaching of music compulsory from Primary School. Teaching methods, including syllabus and equipment and the system of examination have to be modified. The music teachers have to be trained in the model of T.C.H. and B.Ed. He called upon the Government to form a committee to go into all these aspects.

The artistes must think of their responsibilities and not only of their rights, said Subramanya. Planning a concert is an art and needs co-operation and understanding of main and accompanying artists to please the rasikas, which is the main responsibility. Equally the co-operation of the rasikas by their timely presence, appreciation in appropriate time, presence during tani avartana, word of appreciation to artists after the concert, will all go a long way in ensuring success of concerts. The organizers have their role by ensuring good ambience for enjoyment of music, coordination among artists, rasikas and the media, he said.

The News Papers and Reviewers of Fine Arts have been making a large contribution in promotion and preservation of Music and Dance. The reviewer as an ardent rasika should promote the art and not the artiste alone. He has to highlight both the finer aspects of a concert and those that need attention to make his review meaningful. In this unenviable role, he incurs the anger and displeasure of many, he said.

On the publication of books on music and dance, awards and prizes for best books and funding from Kannada Book Development Authority, he said early decision on preparing Grant-in-aid code, archives for preservation and codification of rare books, manuscripts and photos should be taken by the Government.

Madurai T. N. Seshagopalan released 'Gurukula', the first set of DVDs of vocalist Dr. Nagamani Srinath presenting Carnatic music lessons, in the traditional gurukula system, in Audio-visual presentation with English notation and Theory. Nagamani Srinath explained about this ambitious project that envisages 100 to 150 DVDs containing introduction along with all elementary lessons, slokas, varnas, keeeerthanas, thillanas, padas, manodharma sangeetha (Raga, alapana, swarakalpana, neraval, tanam, pallavi), musicology and lec-dem.

Prizes were distributed to winners in music competitions.

H.Kamalanath, President of the Samaja welcomed the distinguished guests and invitees. Sri. S.R.Sitharam, Hon. Secretary, proposed a hearty vote of thanks.

Sadas of thirty eighth music conference

Sadas, the Valedictory Session of the Thirty Eighth Music Conference of The Bangalore Gayana Samaja was held at the Gayana Samaja auditorium at Bangalore on Aug. 20. H.H. Sri Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt graced the occasion. Justice B. N. Srikrishna, former judge of Supreme Court of India was the Chief Guest.

The artists, connoisseurs, students and teachers of music, who had participated in experts sessions and evening concerts throughout the week- long conference had filled the Gayana Samaj auditorium to witness the grand finale.

H.H. Sri Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji conferred the title Sangeetha Kalaratna with citation, shawl, garland, memento fruits and purse on Mysore V. Subramanya. Gold medal under endowment by Smt.Brahmaramba Nagaraja Rao was also presented. B.N.V.Subramanya presented to Conference President Kum. Jyothi Subramanya Award and a purse. Smt.Meera Ramchand presented Sri.V.T.Srinivasan Award and purse to Sri.Mysore V. Subramanya.

H.H.Sri Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji honoured B.N.V.Subramanya for his service to fine arts with citation, shawl, garland, memento and fruits.

S. Rajaram was honoured by Sri Sri Swamiji with citation, shawl, garland, memento and fruits. Dr. R.K.Srikantan honoured M. Prabhakar, R. Paramashivan, Kanaka Swamy and Rudrapatnam Brothers. Justice B.N. Srikrishna honoured Geetha Ramanand, Kaveri Sridhar, Dr. S. Nataraja Murthy and B. N. Chandramouli.

Conference President Mysore V.Subramanya replying to felicitation thanked the Samaja for the honour done to him and expressed his gratitude to Sri Sri Swamiji. Speaking on behalf of the Artistes of the Year honoured, S.Rajaram appreciated the exemplary services of Gayana Samaja in promoting all forms of fine arts and thanked the Samaja for the recognition of the contribution by each one of them.

Sri Sri Swamiji in his Benediction address, eulogized the power of classical music. There is harmony and co-ordination in music only when all the artistes have understanding.

Justice Srikrishna’s scholarly valedictory address was highly befitting the occasion and the audience with technical information on music punctuated with appropriate and interesting quotes.

Dr. M.R.V.Prasad, Vice-President, proposed a hearty vote of thanks.

The Bangalore Gayana Samaja is at Sri Krishnarajendra Road, Bangalore 560 004 and can be contacted at email: gayanasamaja@vsnl.net, Ph: 080-26612244

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