The stage was set for nearly 3000 trained singers from all over Karnataka, 40 instrumentalists, eminent music composers and more than fifteen noted singers.
All these artistes were ready to present a delightful performance on a single stage and pay tribute to late C Ashwath, the doyen of light music, on 29 December, his first death anniversary which also happens to be his birthday.
The mega event Kannadave Sathya-Ashwath Nithya, organised by Adarsha Sugama Sangeetha Academy Trust, had thousands of people gathered at the National High School Grounds in Basavanagudi.
Said Kikkeri Krishnamurthy, president of Adarsha Sugama Sangeetha Academy and the organiser of the show, “The evening is dedicated to Dr C Ashwath for his timeless contributions and sugama sangeetha compositions. It is a way of expressing our gratitude to all that he has given us.”
The programme began with an invocation song Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate, written by Kuvempu.
The venue had an electrifying atmosphere as people sang along with them, saluting the musician.
The literary luminaries who were present at the event included G S Shivarudrappa, N S Lakshminarayana Bhatta, H S Venkatesha Murthy, B R Lakshman Rao and others. Noted singers S P Balasubramaniam, Shimogga Subbanna, Y K Muddukrishna, Rathnamala Prakash, M D Pallavi, Supriya Acharya and many others.
Bramari and troupe presented a mesmerising dance recital Negila Yogi, following which, Maya Rao’s troupe danced to the famous song by Kuvempu — Anandamaya Ee Jaga Hrudaya, which stole the show.
S P Balasubramaniam was nostalgic as he recalled some of the moments he spent with Ashwath. “He was one of the best musicians I have ever seen till date. Although he is not with us today, his presence will always linger on through his songs and compositions. I’m very happy to share the stage with so many performers here at such a big event,” he said. He also sang a song in remembrance of C Ashwath.
Many actors from the small screen were seen at the mega event. Musicians and people from the literary realm were seen narrating incidents from the past and sharing their experiences of working with Ashwath. The singers crooned to some soulful numbers and songs written by Purandara Dasa, Kuvempu, Shishunala Sharif and Da Ra Bendre.
The audience was completely engrossed in the show. Kusuma, who works for a rehabilitation centre, said, “I was taken to a different world altogether. Ashwath’s music is makes us feel speechless and heals us from within since it is full of emotions. I had a wonderful time here.”