Sri Guruguha Gana Vidyalaya

Day 2 pictures of 190th Aradhana Utsavam of Sri Muthuswamy Diksh*tar

Day 1 pictures of 190th Aradhana Utsavam of Sri Muthuswamy Diksh*tar

Dear All,

We are delighted to announce the upcoming 190th Aradhana Utsavam of Sri Muthuswamy Diksh*tar, organized by Guruguha Sangeeth Sammelan. This two-day programme will be held at Sankara Hall, 93, Southern Avenue, Kolkata – 700029, commencing on the evening of October 11th and concluding on the morning of October 12th, 2025.

This annual event brings together students, rasikas, and patrons of music to honour the life and timeless compositions of one of the Trinity of Carnatic music. Our mission is to contribute meaningfully to Kolkata’s vibrant cultural landscape, and we look forward to your continued support in making this year's Utsavam a memorable success

Please find the invitation attached. We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the legacy of Sri Muthuswamy Diksh*tar and supporting our dedicated artists.

The final session of the 250th Diksh*tar Jayanti Utsavam was held on the 5th of April, 2025 at Shivananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission Golpark. The programme started with the group rendition of our Vidyalaya’s Prayer song “Shriman Vighna”. After the welcome speech by Jayashree Ganesh (Hony. Secretary), Rajeshwari Ramakrishnan introduced the esteemed artists who were to grace the evening with their performances.
The first performance was a vocal recital by B Samyukta. She was accompanied on the violin by Aakash Ramesh and on the mridangam by Sri R. Srinivasan. The concert began with the invocation to Lord Ganesha through the kriti, Maha Ganapathim in Ragam Nattai set to Eka Talam. The kriti was a perfect start to the programme. Samyukta sang interesting swara patterns at the end of the song. She next presented the lilting Sadhujana Vinutam in Ragam Geetapriya / Latangi. The kriti began with a beautiful raga alapana of Ragam Geetapriya and ended with a zestful set of kalpanaswarams. This was followed by a crisp rendition of Gopika Manoharam in the sweet ragam Mohanam. The next song rendered was Dakshayani Abhayambike in Ragam Thodi set to Rupaka Talam. The kriti began with a soothing Alapana of the majestic Thodi ragam. The Ragam was efficiently stringed into tune by Aakash Ramesh. The rendition continued with the neraval of ‘Sakala Nishkala Svarupa Tejase’ and a brisk set of Kalpana Swarams. It ended with a breathtaking Tani Avartanam. Being Annapurna Ashtami, Samyukta aptly sang Ehi Annapoorne in the soulful ragam Punnagavarali. The song was very blissful and the vocalist was very expressive. She concluded her performance with Lalitha Parameswari in the ragam Surutti. The audience was infused with a melodic atmosphere filled with divinity and harmony.
The final programme was a vocal recital by Sri P. Aravindan, one of the senior most students of the Vidyalaya. He was accompanied on the violin by Sri S. Ranganathan and on the mridangam by Sri R. Srinivasan. He commenced with Gajanana Yutam in the ragam Vegavahini and ended with an energetic set of kalpana swarams. This was followed by the rendition of Kumara Swaminam in the ragam Asaveri, in praise of Selva Muthu Kumara Swami of Vaideeswaran temple. He then paid homage to Devi Bhagamalini through the kriti Navaratna Maalinim in the ragam Gamagakriya. He infused bhakti rasa with verve in his raga alapana of Ragam Gamagakriya and ended with a good set of kalpana swarams. He next presented the rarely heard Madhavam Bhajeham in Devamanohari Raga, composed in praise of Lord Krishna. In this kriti, there is a mention of the idol of Lord Hanuman facing the presiding deity at the Krishna Temple in Varanasi through the phrase “Maruti Pujita Vaibhavam”. The next song rendered was Chintaya Makanda in Ragam Bhairavi set to Rupaka Talam. This was the major highlight of the programme, where one witnessed a pleasant exploration and elaboration of the rich Bhairavi ragam. Sri. S Ranganathan also adeptly brought the Ragam with perfect tuning. The rendition continued with the neraval of “Mangalakara mandahasa vadanam” and an explicit set of Kalpana Swarams. Sri R. Srinivasan embellished the concert with his exciting tani avartanam. The concluding kriti of the concert, Simhasana Sthite in Ragamalika was then presented by Sri P. Aravindan to end on an auspicious note. The programme concluded with Vote of Thanks.
The Utsavam on the whole was a grand success. Guru A Srividya’s motivation, thorough planning, generous support and management, helps brings out the best in her students, enabling them to strive, to make any Utsavam a glorious success. It was a blessing for all the artists and rasikas to witness Sri R. Srinivasan on the mridangam. Delicious Kesari and Vada were served as Prasadam. The audience were spiritually elated and dispersed with music lingering in their ears.

Dear Member,

Namaskaram! Sri Gurubhyo Namaha.

We are extremely delighted to invite you to be a part of the 250th JAYANTI of Sri. Muthuswamy Diksh*tar organised by Guruguha Sangeeth Sammelan jointly with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The programme will be held on 5th April 2025, from 4.30pm - 7.30 pm at Shivananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark, Kolkata.

Please spread the word and come in large numbers and seek the blessings of Diksh*tar and all our Guru-s.

PFA for the invite for 5th April 2025

Sri Guruguha Gana Vidyalaya and Sankara Hall and Sankara Institute of Philosophy and Culture celebrated the 250th Jayanti Utsavam of Nadajyoti Muthuswami Diksh*tar and 75th Vardanthi Utsavam of Jagadhguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Maha Sannidhanam on 2nd April 2025 at Sankara Hall.
The program began with a tribute to Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, marked by the recitation of the Guru Asthakam, by Avyukt Rao, Aarav Roy, Akshara Rajesh, Sabarish Anand, Sourish Anand, and Sw****ka Arun Kumar. It was followed by spirited rendition of Nottuswarams - Sakti Sahita Ganapathim, Vara Shiva Balam, Santatam Pahimam, Shyamale Meenakshi, Ramajanardhana and concluded with Gurumurthe. It was a perfect beginning as Diksh*tar is well – known for his creation of Nottuswarams. The Nottuswara Sahithya of Muthuswami Diksh*tar is a fine example of intercultural musical form in the realm of Carnatic music. They were ably accompanied on the violin by Anirudh Rao.
The next performance was by Rajeshwari Ramakrishnan, Pallavi Arjun, Aditi Rao, Shriya Sivakumar, Anirudh Rao. They beautifully rendered the kritis - Ekadantham Bhajeham in the lilting ragam Bilahari, Hariyuvatim in the majestic ragam Haimavathi, Kanchadayaladakshi in the enchanting ragam Kamalamanohari and Sri Sharadamba Bhajeham (a composition of Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal) in the soothing ragam Saramathi. They were accompanied on the violin by Aakash Ramesh.
Up next was Saikripa Sivaram. She melodiously paid homage to Diksh*tar and Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya with the rendition of Jayati Siva in the rare ragam Bhavani and Bhajare Loka Gurum (a composition of Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal) in the ragam Abheri respectively.
The next sangitanjali was by Aakash Ramesh. He enthralled the audience by aptly rendering Guruguhaya Bhaktanugrahaya in Sama. This was followed by the rendition of Paradevate in Huseni and Kumbeshwaraya Namaste in the beautiful ragam Kalyani. He also sang Shri Shankaracharyam Bhajare in the ragam Bageshri, a composition of Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal. He was accompanied on the violin by Sri S Ranganathan.
The penultimate programme was a vocal recital by R Ranjana, G Aparna, B Samyukta, Bhanumathi Rajaram. They rendered the compositions of Muthuswami Diksh*tar, composed in the sacred kshetra Thiruvarur. They presented Sri Maha Ganapatiravatumam, Thyagaraja Palayashumam, and Neelotpalambikayaha param in the majestic ragam Gowlai, and Sri Kamalambike Sive pahimam in the ragam Sri, encompassing the deities of the Arulmigu Thyagaraja Swamy Temple in Thiruvarur. They also sang Sharade Karunanidhe (a composition of Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal), in the ragam Hamir Kalyani thereby paying homage to Devi Sharadamba.
The programme culminated with the group rendition of Shri Nathadi Guruguho Jayati in the ragam Mayamalavagowla and Sri Kamalambikaya Katash*toham in the ragam Shankarabharanam and the mangala arati song is Sringeri.
All the students were adeptly supported on the Mridangam by Sri S Venkatraman.
The efforts of Guru A. Srividya, her guidance and her faith in her students helped them put their best foot forward. After the programme, everyone proceeded towards Bharathi Bhojanalaya. The prasadam was absolutely delicious. The audience was content and looking forward for the final session of the Utsavam.

Diksh*tar Jayanthi Utsavam ..Day 2...

250th Diksh*tar Jayanti Utsavam – Day 1
Date: 22nd March 2025
Venue: Sivananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark, Kolkata
The 250th Jayanti Utsavam of Nadajyoti Muthuswamy Diksh*tar was inaugurated with great reverence and devotion at Sivananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark, Kolkata. It was jointly organized by Guruguha Sangeet Sammelan, the student wing of Sri Guruguha Gana Vidyalaya and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The event commenced with a soulful invocation, setting the perfect tone for the musical extravaganza dedicated to Sri Muthuswamy Diksh*tar. Adding to the aesthetic and spiritual ambience, a beautiful flower Kolam was meticulously crafted by Roopa Sriram, Bhanumati Rajaram, Rama Rajasekhar, and Jayanti Kumar. Guru Srividya Akka, the guiding spirit of Sri Guruguha Gana Vidyalaya, gracefully lit the lamp, symbolizing the beginning of the event.
The evening opened with a warm welcome speech by Jayashree Ganesh, Hony. Secretary of the Guruguha Sangeet Sammelan. She highlighted the significance of the Jayanti Utsavam and the enduring impact of Muthuswamy Diksh*tar’s compositions on the Carnatic music tradition.
Following this, Rajeshwari Ramakrishnan introduced the esteemed artists who were to grace the evening with their performances.
First Performance by R. Ranjana (Vocal)
Accompanists:
• Violin: Sri S. Ranganathan
• Mridangam: Sri S. Venkataraman
Ranjana rendered the Diksh*tar kritis with profound devotion and technical brilliance. The concert featured the following compositions:
1. Vinayaka Vighna Nashaka (Vegavahini – Rupakam)
2. Sarasijanabha Sodari (Nagagandhari – Rupakam)
3. Annapoorne Vishalakshi (Sama – Adi)
4. Ekamreshanayakim (Chamaram – Adi)
5. Gange Mam Pahi (Janjhuti – Khanda Ekam)
Each kriti was presented with remarkable fidelity to tradition, and the elaborate Ekamreshanayakim in the Rsaga Chamaram was particularly well received by the audience.

Second Performance by S. Dinesh (Violin – Solo)
Accompanist:
• Mridangam: Sri S. Venkataraman
S. Dinesh enthralled the audience with a solo violin concert, demonstrating both technical mastery and expressive depth. His repertoire included:
1. Maha Ganapate (Nata Narayani)
2. Sri Guru Guha Murte (Udaya Ravi Chandrika)
3. Kadambari Priyayai (Mohanam)
4. Ananda Amritakarshini (Amritavarshini)
5. Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Maya Malava Gowla
Pallavi: Sri Nathadi Guru Guho Jayati Jayati
Ragamalika in Hameer Kalyani, Ramakali, and Brindavana Saranga
6. Sri Abhayamba (Sri Ragam)
The Ragam Tanam Pallavi was a highlight of the evening, as Dinesh seamlessly transitioned through different ragas in a stunning ragamalika sequence. The audience was mesmerized by his fluid bowing and intricate rhythmic explorations.
The first day of the 250th Diksh*tar Jayanti Utsavam was a resounding success, with soulful music and a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The dedication of the artists and the enthusiastic response from the audience ensured a fitting tribute to the legendary composer.
As the festival continues for another 2 days, 2nd of April 2025 at Sankara Hall on the occasion of the Janma nakshatra of Diksh*thar and on 5th of April 2025 for the 3rd day with the same venue to commemorate Sri Muthuswamy Diksh*tar’s timeless musical contributions.
Stay tuned for the next Utsavam!

You are cordially invited to the 178th Thyagaraja Aradhana Utsavam on 18th and 19th January 2025 at Sankara Hall. Join us for a divine celebration of the life and music of the great saint-composer, Sri Thyagaraja. Let’s come together to honor his legacy through devotional music and spiritual fervor.

We look forward to your presence at this auspicious occasion.