SNA’s Festival of Performing Arts - 4 Akademi Awardees showcase their Art

The second Day: SNA’s Festival of Performing Arts - 4 Akademi Awardees showcase their Art; New Delhi, July 24: The second day of the Festival of Performing Arts, featuring recipients of the Sangeet NatakAcademi Awards 2010, being held between 23-31 July in the premises of Sangeet Natak Academi(SNA) here, witnessed six captivating performances by eight noted artistes – Harbhajan Singh Namdhari (Gurbani music), MV Simachala Shastry (Harikatha performer), Suguna Purushottam (Karnatic music), Nagai R Muralidharan (Karnatic violin) with Srimushnam Rajarao (Mridangam), Mysore Nagmani Srinath (Karnatic vocal), and Ratna Kumar with S. Rajeshwari (Vocal). Profile of some of these artistes are detailed below: HARBHAJAN SINGH NAMDHARI Born in 1945 in Kujjar village in Sheikhupura district of western Punjab, which now lies in Pakistan, Shri Harbhajan Singh Namdhari received his initial training in Gurbani music from Shri Tara Singh who also taught him to play the Dilruba. His talent for singing was nurtured by several noted teachers including Shri Hazur Singh Chandrahans, Mahadev Prasad Kathak, and Maharaj Bir Singh. Later, he received guidance in Hindustani instrumental music from Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Among the foremost singers of Gurbani Kirtan, Shri Harbhajan Singh has channelled his knowledge of classical music form. His repertoire of compositions of this devotional music of the Sikhs consists of rare Kirtans and a variety of Dhrupad and Dhamar compositions. Together with practical music, Shri Namdhari has pursued a career in teaching music, and has trained a number of students. He has presented his art in many parts of India, and has also performed in Thailand, Kenya, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Shri Harbhajan Singh Namdhari has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awar for 2010 for his contribution to the Gurbani music of Punjab. M.V. SIMHACHALA SASTRY Born in 1968 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Shri M.V. Simhachala Sastry trained in the traditional narrative art of Harikatha under Shri Karur Krishna Dasa, Y. Subramanya Sastri, Burra Sivaramakrishna Sarma, and Shrimati G.L.V. Subbamamba. Renowned today as a Harikatha performer, Shri Simhachala Sastry has contributed significantly to the sustenance and development of his art. His performance is distinguished by imaginative treatment of the content, whether in prose, poetry, or lyrical form. A topranking artist of All India Radio, he has participated in many prestigious music festivals in India. For his service to the art of Harikatha, Shri M.V. Simhachala Sastry has been conferred the Ugadi Visista Puraskaram by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. He has received the title of Harikatha Chudamani from the Adi Bhatta Narayana Dasa Aradhana Sangham (2006), and has been declared Asthana Vidwan by the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (2008). Shri M.V. Simhachala Sastry has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for his contribution to the art of Harikatha. SUGUNA PURUSHOTHAMAN Born in 1941 in Chennai, Shrimati Suguna Purushothaman received her training in Carnatic music from towering musicians in the field, including Shri Musiri Subramanya Iyer, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Thinniam Venkatarama Iyer, and P. Sambamoorti. She also acquired proficiency in playing the Veena, which she learnt under Shrimati Lalithabai Shamanna. Over the years, Shrimati Purushothaman has won recognition as a leading Carnatic vocalist. A distinctive feature of her music is the dwitalaavadhana — the art of keeping two different talas, producing intricate rhythm. She is a top-ranking artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, and has produced many recordings of her own compositions — Padavarnams, Kritis, thematic Ragamalikas, Javalis and Thillanas. She has authored a book of her compositions titled Kadambam. She has performed widely in India and abroad. For her achievement as a singer and composer, Shrimati Suguna Purushothaman has been honoured by various institutions. These distinctions include the title of Sangeetha Choodamani conferred by the Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (2004), the Vaggeyakara award of The Music Academy, Chennai (2006), and the Kalaimamani title bestowed by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (2006). Shrimati Suguna Purushothaman has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for her contribution to Carnatic vocal music. NAGAI R MURALIDHARAN Born in 1958 in Chennai, ShriNagai R. Muralidharan received his initial training in music from his mother Shrimati R. Komalavalli. He was further groomed in his art by Shri R.S. Gopalakrishnan. Over the years Shri Muralidharan has won recognition as a distinguished violinist, and has been commended for the clarity of his notes and their rich tonal quality. His chaste, traditionalstyle has won him a following among discerning listeners. A regular performer on All India Radio and Doordarshan, he is proficient both as a solo performer and accompanist. He has performed widely, and has accompanied many eminent vocalists in the field of Carnatic music. Shri Muralidharan has been honoured for his work with several titles and awards conferred by the state and by sabhas. These honours include the Raja Annamalai Chettiar Memorial Award given by the Music Academy, Chennai (1993), the Kalaimamani title bestowed by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (2003), the Maharajapuram Santhanam Memorial Award (2009), and the Vani Kala Sudhakara title conferred by the Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai (2010). Shri Nagai R. Muralidharan has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for his contribution to Carnatic instrumental music. Maharani’s Arts College in Mysore and Bangalore for a period of thirty years. She has created over two hundred compositions in various ragas in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit. A top-ranking artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, she has produced a number of theme-based musical features for the media. She has several publications to her credit. Shrimati Srinath has been honoured for her varied work in music by the state and autonomous organizations. Among these honours are the title of Gana Saraswati presented by the Vice-President of India, the Rajyotsava Prashasthi award conferred by the Government of Karnataka, the Chowdiah National Award given by the Academy of Music, Bangalore, and the Sambhrama Puraskar bestowed by the Government of Karnataka. Shrimati Mysore Nagamani Srinath has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for her contribution to Carnatic vocal music. MYSORE NAGAMANI SRINATH Born in 1950 in Jodi Gubbi, Karnataka, Shrimati Mysore Nagamani Srinath received her training in Carnatic vocal music from a number of teachers including Gowri Kuppuswamy, V. Ramaratnam, R. Vishweshwaran, K.V. Narayanaswamy, D.K. Jayaraman, T. Brinda, M.L. Vasantha Kumari, and Ramnad Krishnan. Gifted with a mellifluous voice, Shrimati Nagamani Srinath has carved out a niche for herself in the field of Carnatic music. She has performed widely, and has served as Head of the Department of Music at the Maharani’s Arts College in Mysore and Bangalore for a period of thirty years. She has created over two hundred compositions in various ragas in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit. A top-ranking artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, she has produced a number of theme-based musical features for the media. She has several publications to her credit. Shrimati Srinath has been honoured for her varied work in music by the state and autonomous organizations. Among these honours are the title of Gana Saraswati presented by the Vice-President of India, the Rajyotsava Prashasthi award conferred by the Government of Karnataka, the Chowdiah National Award given by the Academy of Music, Bangalore, and the Sambhrama Puraskar bestowed by the Government of Karnataka. Shrimati Mysore Nagamani Srinath has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for her contribution to Carnatic vocal music. RATHNA KUMAR Born in 1946 in Chennai, Shrimati Rathna Kumar trained initially in Bharatanatyam under Shrimati K.J. Sarasa, and in Kuchipudi dance under gurus Vedantam Jagannatha Sharma and Vempati Peda Satyam. Later, at the Kuchipudi Art Academy of Chennai, she was groomed as a dancer by Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. She obtained her Master’s degree in English literature from Stella Maris College, Chennai. She has also learnt German, French and Hindi. Shrimati Rathna Kumar emerged as a front-ranking Kuchipudi dancer in the 1970s. She subsequently moved to theUnited States, where she established well-known dance institutions including the Anjali Centre for Performing Arts (1975) and the Sanskriti Society for Indian Performing Arts (1994) at Houston. She has served as Dance Instructor at Rice University, USA, since 2002. As a performer-teacher and as a member of several organizations and committees, she has contributed significantly to the practice and promotion of India’s dance art in the USA. Shrimati Rathna Kumar has published two books on the basic techniques of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi titled Adavu and Kuchipudi Adavu Sammu. She has been featured in an award-winning documentary film produced by Helenvision of Paris under the direction of Claude Lamorisse. She has participated in international conferences on arts including the First World Conference on Art Education organized by Unesco in Lisbon, and later in Hong Kong where she was the key speaker. Shrimati Rathna Kumar has received a number of awards forher work from institutions in India and the United States. These include an award for her Contribution to Arts in Education from the Texas Institute for Arts in Education and an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad. Shrimati Rathna Kumar has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2010 for her contribution to Kuchipudi dance. Looking relieved and happy, Mr. Jayant Kastuar, Secretary, SNA, said, “A major source of India’s music tradition is Bhakti. Devotional music has played an important role in development of our evolved sense of music together with Sahitya. The Gurbani Keertan by Shri Namdhari and Harikatha by Shri Sastry were two outstanding representations of our heritage of music. Carnatic music is one of the major classic traditions of the world and the masters who performed today gave a virtual treat to the students and followers of the tradition. Shrimati Ratna Kumar who has rendered a commendable service to the promotion and propagation of India’s dance tradition in the USA for about 30 years, excelled in her Abhinay of the Kuchipudi recital.” Starting from yesterday, the festival in total showcases 26 performances by exceptional artists till 31st July. All the artists are recipients of Sangeet Nakak Academi Fellowships and awards for this year. The fellowships and awards were conferred on 22nd July 2011 by the Vice-President of India. The Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadasyata) and Akademi Award (Akademi Puraskar) are the most coveted national honours conferred on performing artists, gurus and scholars of the performing arts. These honours are decided by the Akademi’s General Council, the apex body consisting of eminent artists, scholars and nominees of the Government of India and of different States and Union Territories of the country. Sangeet Natak Akademi, established by the Government of India on 31 May 1952, is the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. It was created as the apex body in the country for the task of preservation and promotion of the performing art traditions of India. One of the important activities of the Akademi has been to give recognition and honours to artists in order to set standards in the performing arts, and to restore art and the artists to their rightful place in independent India.