Kalakruthi School of Indian Classical Music held its Annual Student's Concert at the Kel Watson Theatre on 25^th and 26^th April in Melbourne. Under the leadership of Shobha Sekhar, its director, the music festival was a grand feast of Carnatic vocal and veena music, tightly and professionally presented to a well-attended audience. It also featured a short presentation by students of the NMIT Tafe and a group ensemble. A variety of compositions, raga-s and kriti-s, were performed competently by Shobha's students. The performance by senior students was of a very high order, and special mention must be made of Gayathri Ganesh and Shakti Ravitharan, whose music was a real treat for music lovers.

This year the concert was dedicated to the memory of Shobha's mother — the well known veena vidushi, Mangalam Muthuswamy. Kashyap Mahesh, the child prodigy from India, was the chief guest. Violin accompaniment was provided by Narmatha Ravichandhira and Murali Kumar's students, and mridanga support by the students of Ravichandhira and Balasri Rasiah.

'Barbayan' Ghanakanta Bora, celebrated Sattriya dance exponent and guru, was accorded a warm felicitation at a colourful function at Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati, to mark his 50 years in Sattriya dance. It was organised by the Ghanakanta Bora Felicitation Committee comprising academicians, admirers and disciples of the guru. A felicitation volume titled Sattriya Paramparar Surabhi (Fragrance of the Sattriya Tradition) edited by Dr. Malloka Kandali, was released and presented to Ghanakanta Bora by Dr. Nirmal Kumar Chaudhary, eminent educationist and former Vice Chancellor, Guwahati University.

Dr. Chaudhuary felicitated the guru for his virtuosity and dedication. Another distinguished scholar, composer and academician, Dr. Birendranath Datta, also recalled memories of the thrilling performances of the 'Barbayan' both in percussion and dance. Nrityacharya Jatin Goswami, septuagenarian maestro of Sattriya dance went down memory lane to the fifties when he had met young Ghanakanta as a satra inmate in the Kamalabari Satra at Majuli — well known island in the Brahmaputra river. There he received training in both percussion and dance under the tutelage of Maniram Dutta Muktiyar. The veteran also described Ghanakanta Bora as one of the rare custodians of the purest form and beauty of Sattriya.

Swapnanil Baruah, IAS, Director of Cultural Affairs, Assam, called upon Ghanakanta Bora to write a book on Sattriya dance which would be an invaluable contribution towards wider understanding of this great tradition. K. Hazarika, a leading artist and former Regional Director, Song and Drama Division, Guwahati, inaugurated the function and cultural activist Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, IPS (DIG) was a guest of honour.

A host of organisations and institutions from different parts of Assam also felicitated this much adored artist and teacher. Presiding over the function Dr. Pradip Jyoti Mahanta, noted scholar and President of the Felicitation Committee, outlined Ghanakanta Bora's role in taking the ritual form of Sattriya to the secular stage while retaining its pristine beauty and virtuosity. The guru is the recipient of the central Sangeet Natak Akademi award for his contribution to Sattriya. Disciples of Ghanakanta Bora presented a Sattriya dance recital in honour of their guru.

Bharatakalanjali and Bhaaskara Trust joined hands to conduct the summer Gurukulam Natya Adhyayana camp from 19^th April to 4^th May at Kaithapram in Payyanur, Kerala. There were more than 100 applications out of which 65 students were selected with the accommodation factor in mind. It was amazing to watch the children coming from different parts of the globe, rubbing shoulders in a spirit of camaraderie and living like one family. The faculty members for this year's Gurukulam comprised Shanta and V.P. Dhananjayan for Bharatanatyam, assisted by Seetha Sasidharan, Deepthi Rajesh, and Gopukiran; Rajesh Trikkaripur for vocal music; Naveen and Jisha John for yoga under the guidance of Prof. T.V. Padmanabhan.

A typical day at the gurukulam began with yoga at six in the morning, chanting of the Upanishad and Yoga sootra. This was followed by music and natya sessions throughout the day till late evening, held in classrooms built on the models of temple architecture. The serene ambience can never be experienced in an urban setting. The day's hard work of practising natya, learning music and memorising the natya theory verses was lightened by a spell of bhajan (group devotional singing) at twilight. All the participants got an opportunity to display their talents in singing and histrionics. They also got an opportunity to watch the rural ritualistic art form of Teyyam, Harimohan's special instrumental ensemble of complicated tala system, and Majulan's one-man theatre show in Malayalam.

The participants happily roughed it out sleeping on grass mats, squatting on the floor to eat, washing their own plates and clothes, drinking fresh distilled water from the well, relishing home grown fruits and vegetables, quite an experience of a lifetime for the young living in towns and cities.

There were dance students from Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rishi Valley, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Erina Kasai from Japan, Dr. Anuradha Murali from Orengeburg (U.S.A.), Pramila Ramesh and her two disciples from Muscat represented the global participation.

Besides the parents and relatives of the participants, the valedictory function on 3^rd May drew a large crowd of local villagers, all keen to witness what the children had learnt during the two weeks at the camp. Prof. (Dr.) K.K.N. Kurup (Former Vice Chancellor of Calicut University) and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Kannur University Dr. K. Kunhikrishnan presented the certificates to all the participants.

Dhananjayan donated more than 500 books from his collection to the Sanjaya Memorial Library in Payyanur adjudged as the best library in Kerala with the largest collection of books, and a well-organised literary house.

Divyanjali School Of Dance, Chennai run by Bharatanatyam dancer-teacher S. Divyasena, participated in the All India Multi-lingual Drama, Dance, Music Contest/Fest titled "Bhava Raga Tala" organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrutik Sangh, from 21^st to 30^th May in Pune. Divyasena was conferred the "Nritya Sadhana Puraskar" for her commendable effort in training about 35 students specially for this particular event. Many young students of Divyanjali won prizes for their performances in various categories, namely, Bharatanatyam, semi-classical, and folk dance.

'Samskriti' is a thematic music showroom or 'Culture Shoppe'. It was launched a few years ago by Carnatic musicians S. Sowmya and K.N. Shashikiran under the Carnatica banner at their T. Nagar headquarters in Chennai, as a boutique devoted entirely to classical music products – CDs, DVDs, books, and memorabilia. Samskriti opens its doors this June in Mylapore, the heart of the city's Carnatic music ethos.

Featuring a wide variety of recordings and books related to classical music and dance, the showroom will not restrict itself to titles released under the Carnatica label, according to Ramanathan N. Iyer, one of Carnatica’s directors. Products of many leading classical music recording companies and titles from several music publishing houses and authors will also be featured, thus making it a one-stop destination for all things classical. Thematic programmes, celebrity interfaces and frequent promotional discounts are planned as a means of making Samskriti a popular stop in Chennai's classical music circuit. Open all days of the week, the showroom is located at 'Jammi Buildings', a decades-old landmark adjoining the Royapettah flyover.

Venue:
Jammi Buildings,
Old No. 60, New No. 119, Royapettah High Road (Near Flyover),
Mylapore,
Chennai – 600 004.

Contact:
Ramanathan N. Iyer (Director & Editor, Carnatica)
Phone: (044) 2499 2081 / (91) 94440 18270
Web: www.carnatica.net
Email: carnatica@carnatica.net

K.V. Murthy, well-known philanthropist and generous patron of cultural events in Mysore was honoured with the title of Kalasevaratna by the K.V. Murthy Abhinandana Samiti comprising 23 reputed cultural organisations. Murthy is also the President of J.S.S. Sangeetha Sabha, and Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha. Many sabha-s presented cultural shows on the occasion. There were artists from the Sugama Sangeetha Academy Trust, the Shruthimanjari Pratishtana represented by Shrilatha (vocal) accompanied by Veena Suresh (violin) and S. Kumaraswamy (mridanga), and young Bharatanatyam dancers of Nupura Trust.

Charulatha Mani embarked on her 'Isai Payanam' (Musical Journey) on March 17, 2007. She said she found an overwhelming response to her maiden effort at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Soon Giri Trading Agencies came forward to support her venture, and they have been presenting monthly programmes since then. Several volumes have already been released as DVDs, and more are in the pipeline. Charulatha celebrated her Isai Payanam's first anniversary in a big way at the Narada Gana Sabha hall on 16 February, 2008. Noted stage and film actor A.R. Srinivasan, Ramesh Vinayagam, famous playback singer P.B. Srinivos, and stage actor 'Kathadi' Ramamurthy felicitated Charulatha. She recalled she had launched this series after she had a brainwave about bringing the concept of an earlier tv programme onto the concert platform. He has therefore been taking up classical raga-s, explaining their nuances, and then rendering both Carnatic and popular film songs in that raga. Ramesh Vinayagam said that one can enjoy music even without knowing its technical aspects. However, once the interest is kindled, the listener must upgrade his knowledge and learn to appreciate at a higher level – this is the difference between 'surface listening' and 'informed listening' he said. Isai Payanam concerts can help the lay listener understand the music, so that he will be induced to attend more performances.

262^nd aradhana of saint composer Narayana Teertha, 12^th to 14^th February in Tirupunturuthi, Tamil Nadu.

600^th jayanti of Tallapakka Annamacharya by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, and Dept. of Culture, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, from 22^nd to 24^th February in Chennai.

National seminar on "Natya Sastraic elements reflected in traditional abhinaya of classical dances" organised by Nalanda Dance Research Centre, on 26^th and 27^th February in Mumbai.

First anniversary celebrations of the GNB Centre for Peforming Arts, 11^th March in Chennai.

The Tanjai Naalvar Music & Dance Festival in memory of K.P. Sivanandam and Sarada Sivanandam, by the family members of the Tanjore Quartet headed by Chinniah Sivakumar and K. Chandrasekar, 14^th March in Chennai.

14^th year celebrations of Sree Radha Kalyana Utsavam in memory of Soolamangalam Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, by Sunadham (M. Rammohan, Secretary), 14^th to 16^th March in Chennai.

Nine-day art festival featuring Terukoothu, nagaswara-tavil concerts, Tamil isai, Tevaram, Tiruvarutpa, debates and panel discussions, organised by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, 29^th March to 6^th April at Vani Mahal in Chennai.

Sree Ramanavami Mahotsavam Bharatanatyam Festival by Gana Mukundhapriya, 19^th to 27^th April in Chennai.

Annamacharya jayanti by Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha on 19^th May in Chennai. The programme held at the Narada Gana Sabha featured Annamacharya’s sankeertana-s by Madhuradhwani with elucidation by Prof. S.R. Janakiraman., followed by a multimedia dance ballet Annamayya by Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala and her students of Kala Pradarshini.

Birth anniversary of the late Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Ariyakudi Music Foundation on 19^th May at Sastri Hall in Chennai. It featured a violin solo concert by Dr. M. Lalitha along with a special multimedia presentation produced by the Violin Sisters (Lalitha & Nandini) on 'The Life of Sri Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and his Contribution to the World of Music'.

A Foundation in memory of the late T.T. Vasu, industrialist and president of the Music Academy, Chennai, on 14th March.

www.dancingforthegods.org(Dancing for the Gods) — "a website dedicated to Bharatanatyam", by dancer Preeti Vasudevan and Thresh Charitable Trust, in February.

Mridanga vidwan Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman by Sri Umayaalapuram K. Shivaraman Sanmana Samiti-2008, for his service and contributions to the field of sangeetam, 16th and 17th February in Shivamogga.

Mridanga vidwan A.V. Anand by his disciples and well wishers, for his service and contributions to the field of sangeetam, 1st March in Bangalore.

Audio CD of bhajan-s titled 'Nama Sankeertan', in memory of Dr. V. Ramamurthy & Chandramma, 27th January in Chennai.

Three books — 'The Eloquent Garland' by "Garland" N. Rajagopalan, "Kancheepuam Naina Pillai" by B.M. Sundaram, and "Windows of India" by R.G. Rajaram, under the auspices of Brahma Gana Sabha, 20th May in Chennai.

Sharanya (Bharatanatyam), daughter of Mrs. Asha & Mr. Ravi, and disciple of Shanta & V.P. Dhananjayan (Bharatakalanjali), 5^th January in Chennai.

S. Devika (d/o Mrs. S. Sindu & Mr. G. Babulal),L.M. Sandhya (d/o Mrs. L.M. Sharada & L.L. Moolya), and S.G. Sneha (d/o Mrs. Sridevi Gurunath & Mr. S. Gurunath), all Bharatanatyam students of Kalpakkam Dance School, 20^th January in Kalpakkam.

Shantha & Shakuntala (Bharatanatyam), brought up in Bala Mandir, Chennai, and disciples of Umesh Bheemanna Madesh, in 2^nd February in Chennai.

Rahij (Bharatanatyam), son of Mrs. Himaja & Mr. L. Ram Sharan, and disciple of his mother Himaja Ramsharan (Bharatham), 3^rd February in Chennai.

Sai Sharanya (Bharatanatyam), daughter of Mrs. Uma & Mr. K. Jaishankar, and disciple of Chandrasekaran Kittappa Pillai and Ganga Mani, 6^th February in Sankarnagar.

Malavika (Bharatanatyam), d/o Mrs. Chitra & Mr. D. Rajagopal, and disciple of Jayanthi Subramaniam (Kala Darsana), 25^th February in Chennai.

Radha(Bharatanatyam), d/o Mrs. Lalitha & Mr. V. Subramanian, and disciple of Jayanthi Subramaniam (Kala Darsana), 2^nd March in Chennai.

G.R. Krithiga, d/o Mrs. G. Rajeswari & Dr. M. Govardhana Singh; S. Preethi, d/o Mrs. S. Jayanthi & Mr. S. Sivakumar; R. Anjana d/o Mrs. Radha & Mr. A.K. Raman; and R. Rengalakshmi d/o Mrs. G. Asha & Mr. S. raja Venkataraman; all Bharatanatyam disciples of Samyuktha Varadarajan (Srivarnisa Kalalaya), 23rd May in Chennai.

S. Anugraha (Bharatanatyam), d/o Mrs. Kalpana & Mr. L.R. Sridhar, and disciple of Padma Subrahmanyam (Nrithyodaya); 31st May in Chennai.