Vanamala Centre for Art and Culture, as part of Bharatiya Samskruti Darshana series, celebrated the twenty seventh series as the 250th birth centenary of the revered composer Sri Muttuswamy Dikshitar on 22nd March 2026, Sunday at Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy, Bengaluru. The event, Guruguha Jnanamrita, curated by Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh, became even more meaningful as it coincided with Dikshitar’s janma tithi.
The event was presided by eminent musicians Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan M.Vasudeva Rao and Sangeeta Kalaratna Dr.M, Suryaprasad M as chief guests, whose warmth and encouragement enriched the gathering. The programme opened on a serene and uplifting note with a soulful shloka rendered by the master of the ceremony, Vid. Nagashree Narayan, beautifully invoking the spirit of the great composer. This was followed by a poised introduction of the guests by Vid. Pavani Bharadwaj and the traditional lighting of the lamp by the founders and the guests. The morning began with a vibrant presentation of the nottuswaras composed by Deekshitar-“Shakti Sahita Ganapathim” and “Ramajanardhana” by the young children of Vanamala’s Chinnari group.
Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh then addressed the gathering with a lucid and engaging introduction with pictures celebrating the legacy of the genius composer Sri Muttuswamy Dikshitar. She eloquently shared that the intention of the programme was not merely to present familiar compositions, but to celebrate Dikshitar’s vast and nuanced musical legacy through diverse forms, including rare ragas drawn from the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini thereby guiding the audience into the rich world of Dikshitar’s music.
The concert segment unfolded featuring a rich array of compositions presented by different teams of musicians from the Vanamala Center, ably supported by senior artists Vid. B K Raghu on Violin, Ganakalashree Vid.Renuka Prasad on the mridangam and Ganakalashree Vid. ASN Swamy on Khanjira. It began with the stately chowkakala varna “Rupamu Joochi” in Todi, setting a dignified tone for the event. This was followed by the radiant “Sooryamurte” in Saurashtra (Mishra Eka), a fitting tribute to Lord Surya, the presiding deity of the day. The serene “Neelotpalamba” in Narayanagowla and the meditative “Kamalambam Bhajare” in Anandabhairavi brought a deep sense of devotion, while “Sri Parvathi” in Bhowli and “Jambupathe” in Yamunakalyani continued the spiritual flow. A graceful ragamalika, “Madhavo Mam Pahi,” describing the Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu added colour and variety, and the rare “Sri Dakshinamurthy” in Phenadyuti stood out for its quiet depth. The lively daru “Nee Sati” in Sriranjani and the intense “Kalabhairavam” in Bhairavam brought in striking contrasts in mood and energy. The Manipravala composition “Sree Venkatesham” in Karnataka Kapi and the elegant “Narmada Kaveri” in Namadeshi further reflected Dikshitar’s versatility. “Gunijanadi” in the rare raga Gujjari, was presented with its distinctive graha swara feature, an exclusive contribution of Dikshitar to preserving traditions. The concert concluded with the majestic “Meenakshi Memudam” in Gamakakriya, a deeply moving piece associated with the composer’s final moments, leaving listeners in a quiet, reflective mood. Throughout the programme, Dr. Meera’s brief and insightful explanations along with the befitting pictures before each piece helped the audience connect more deeply with the music, making the experience both engaging and meaningful.
The chief guests, in their remarks, appreciated the sincere efforts of Vanamala Centre for Art and Culture in its efforts to preserve these beautiful compositions with care and authenticity. Adding to the significance of the day was the unveiling of Shashwatee Kala Vedike, an organisation that promises to nurture and sustain artistic traditions, an inspiring initiative by Smt. Geetha Kumaraswamy, whose deep passion for classical music has encouraged her to embark on this journey. The event concluded on a note of gratitude with a warm vote of thanks by Dr. Karthik Ganesh, followed by Prasada. While the audience expressed their deep appreciation and happiness, for the Vanamala family, this celebration was more than an event, it was a heartfelt nada namana, a sincere musical offering to Sri Muttuswamy Dikshitar, one that will remain cherished and etched in memory for years to come.
