03/04/2025
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.