<p class="bodytext">Udupa Foundation is hosting the sixth edition of their music festival from May 22 to 23 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall. Though held biannually (the previous edition was held last year), the festival returns this month for a special edition to mark the foundation’s 10th anniversary. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The foundation organises music concerts in remote areas of Karnataka every few months. “The foundation aims to promote art, music and culture, in places where it’s not easily accessible,” says Giridhar Udupa, founder. The music festival raises funds for the foundation’s activities. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The first edition, held in 2016, was inaugurated by tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain who also performed at the festival. He also performed at the festival last year. Shankar Mahadevan, Drums Shivamani, John McLaughlin, Amjad Ali Khan, T M Krishna and Bombay Jayashree are other renowned musicians who have performed at the festival. This year, L Subramaniam, Venkatesh Kumar, Bickram Ghosh, Latha Ramachar, and Fazal Qureshi are among the musicians who will be performing.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Giridhar’s father Ullur Nagendra Udupa, a well-known mridangam artiste, began a music school in 1975. It is today known as the Udupa Centre of Performing Arts. “We have many students learning both classical music and dance,” he shares. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In 2015, Giridhar, who is also a well-known ghatam player, decided to set up the foundation to promote music and dance, especially in rural areas. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Udupa Foundation is also planning to launch an initiative, The Ghatam Project, for the preservation and promotion of the ghatam and the artisans. They’re looking for government and corporate support. There is only one family in Manamadurai, a town in Tamil Nadu renowned for pottery, that makes the ghatam, says Giridhar. </p>.<p class="bodytext">‘Udupa Music Festival’ on May 22 and 23 at 7 pm in Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Vyalikaval. Tickets online.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Udupa Foundation is hosting the sixth edition of their music festival from May 22 to 23 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall. Though held biannually (the previous edition was held last year), the festival returns this month for a special edition to mark the foundation’s 10th anniversary. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The foundation organises music concerts in remote areas of Karnataka every few months. “The foundation aims to promote art, music and culture, in places where it’s not easily accessible,” says Giridhar Udupa, founder. The music festival raises funds for the foundation’s activities. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The first edition, held in 2016, was inaugurated by tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain who also performed at the festival. He also performed at the festival last year. Shankar Mahadevan, Drums Shivamani, John McLaughlin, Amjad Ali Khan, T M Krishna and Bombay Jayashree are other renowned musicians who have performed at the festival. This year, L Subramaniam, Venkatesh Kumar, Bickram Ghosh, Latha Ramachar, and Fazal Qureshi are among the musicians who will be performing.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Giridhar’s father Ullur Nagendra Udupa, a well-known mridangam artiste, began a music school in 1975. It is today known as the Udupa Centre of Performing Arts. “We have many students learning both classical music and dance,” he shares. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In 2015, Giridhar, who is also a well-known ghatam player, decided to set up the foundation to promote music and dance, especially in rural areas. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Udupa Foundation is also planning to launch an initiative, The Ghatam Project, for the preservation and promotion of the ghatam and the artisans. They’re looking for government and corporate support. There is only one family in Manamadurai, a town in Tamil Nadu renowned for pottery, that makes the ghatam, says Giridhar. </p>.<p class="bodytext">‘Udupa Music Festival’ on May 22 and 23 at 7 pm in Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Vyalikaval. Tickets online.</p>