Credit: Special Arrangements
Malleswaram-based Tarangini Arts Foundation has completed 50 years of its musical journey. This weekend will mark two concerts to commemorate this milestone.
The Foundation was started by Suma Sudhindra in March 1974, the same year the veena artiste started performing on stage. It has trained more than 500 students over the years.
“When people heard me performing, they wanted to learn from me, which encouraged me to start the Foundation,” she shares. Currently, Suma has 39 students, divided between in-person and online classes. Her students aged between 15 and 80, hail from across the globe, including the US, UK and Singapore.
The Foundation, located in the ground floor of Suma’s house, also holds classes for Karnatik vocals, mridangam, guitar and keyboards.
Commenting on the current generation’s interest in learning music, she says: “The commitment amidst students has been consistent over the years. I focus on students whose goal is to perform on stage.” Over the years, the Foundation has promoted research and development in music theory and practice, while providing a space for discussion and exchange of ideas, she adds.
The organisation also frequently conducts workshops featuring well-known artistes such as Chittibabu, Prof R Vedavalli, Madurai T N Seshagopalan, R Vishweshwaran, and Lalgudi G Jayaraman. They have covered topics like padam, javalis, swara prastara, and raagalaapana.
The arts Foundation has also hosted biennial festivals featuring musicians like Ravikiran, violin duo Ganesh and Kumaresh, and dancers Padma Subramaniam and Alarmelvalli, among others.
For details, visit drsumasudhindra.co.in/ Tarangini-Arts-Foundation.html