Seshadripuram Music Festival begins

Bathed in colourful bright lights, the Seshadripuram College premises is ready for a three week music festival beginning on April 19.

Sree Seshadripuram Ramaseva Samithi celebrates its 65th year of Sri Ramanavami music festival this year.

Senior Carnatic vocalist Neela Ramgopal and N. Raghu, exective producer, All India radio Bangalore are chief guests on the inaugural day. Hailing from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu Neela has made Bangalore her home for many years now and has a host of sishyas here. Young Nithya, one of her sishyas sang the invocation.

The function was kept simple and cozy. Women of the neighbourhood taking care of the back stage, led by Revathi Tarakaram, treasurer of the Samithi, the event was presented by Chandrika Puranik, principal of the evening college at Seshadripuram College.

V. Tarakaram, a senior advocate and secretary of the Samithi thanks the local police for their support to this festival in the days of election mood in the city.

Nadaswaram recital by Nachiarkoil N.R.P. Ravichandran followed and the songs in praise of Rama began. It was a surprise to listen to 'O Rama nee naamam, entha richira' in Purvi kalyani, a long forgotten composition of Bhadrachala Ramadas immortalised by Madurai Somu.

The rasikas were also offered prasadams - a packet of Kharaboondi and a laddu!

Concerts are on till May 9 at 6.30 p.m. with special one hour sessions of talent promotion for young artistes from 5.15 to 6.15 p.m. every day.