Dhanyasi in memory of violinist Mahadevappa

The New Year will open on a musical note in the Cultural Capital of the state with a host of well-known musicians descending on the city to pay their tributes to violinist S Mahadevappa on his first death anniversary.

Dhanyasi, a music festival in memory of Mahadevappa, has been organised under the aegis of JSS Sangeetha Sabha Trust, in association with his disciples and family members on January 1, at 5.30 pm, at Sri Vasudevacharya Bhavana, Naadabramha, Nanjumalige Circle, JLB Road, here.

Mahadevappa’s son Mysore Manjunath, a violinist of international repute, said, he was not just a father, but a ‘guru’ to himself and his elder brother Mysore Nagaraj. He said, “Anantha R Krishnan from Chennai will play the mridanga and Ojas Adhiya from Mumbai will play the tabla, while himself and his brother Nagaraj will perform a violin duel. Anantha is the grandson of Palghat Raghu, a legend in playing mridanga.”

Manjunath said, musician R K Padmanabha will be the chief guest, while industrialist K V Murthy will preside over the programme in the presence of Suttur Mutt seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami.

“Mahadevappa was born at Mudigundam, a village near Mysuru, in a culturally-oriented family in 1930. His father was a harmonium player. With an inclination towards music, he was initiated into classical music at a tender age. He also acted in a few local drama companies.

He had formal training in vocal and violin under Narayana Swamy of Kollegal. Later, he was accepted as a student by T Puttaswamiah, younger brother of legendary T Chowdiah. Mahadevappa’s music was the quintessence of the pristine purity of the Bidaram school of music. He trained many students, including his sons rigorously. His students include a few IAS and IPS officers,” he said.

“Mahadevappa travelled extensively all over the country and performed at various places. He served as a professor of Music at the University of Mysore. Consolidating the achievements of his predecessors and adopting new approaches of contemporary violinists, Mahadevappa designed new techniques, creating an ideal style to express the versatility of violin, with strict adherence to classicism. He taught the new style of violin playing to his students,” Manjunath said.

“He was actively involved in music promotion in Mysuru and elsewhere in Karnataka. He was entrusted the responsibility of starting the JSS Sangeetha Sabha by the late seer Shivaratri Rajendra Swami. He served as the chairperson of the selection committee of Mysore Police Band.

He was nominated as member of Sangeetha Nritya Academy twice. The government has presented him the Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan, Rajyothsava Award, Sangeeth Nritya Academy Award, Sangeeth Natak Academy Award and Chowdiah National Award,” he added.