51st Sri Rama Navami Cultural Festival will be celebrated from March 17 to April 1, 2012 at Keyes High School. The programme is being inaugurated by Shri. E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor, Andhra Pradesh. This year’s programme commence with two days of Sangeetha Upanyasam by Smt. Vishakha Hari and ends with upanyasams from Shri.Dushyanth Sridhar. Devotees are requested to utilize this opportunity and have the grace of Seetha and Rama.
About Smt. VISHAKHA HARI
The music is mellifluous. The movement to the high seems so effortless. There is a certain tinge of Divine. The narrative style is simple, direct and yet riveting. The packed audience absorbs it all with rapt attention – feeling oneness with the mood of the raga, and completely identifying with the character described – easily transported to a higher world of eternal bliss. Presenting Smt. Vishakha Hari who strides the Sangeetha Upanyasam stage as a colossus. Smt. Vishakha Hari learnt music from Lalgudi Sri. G. Jayaraman. Recipient of central govt. scholarship for classical vocal music. Soon got into the habit of winning ‘Gold Medals ’ and ‘Thamburas’ in music competitions.
Smt. Vishakha Hari is also a very accomplished professional. University First in B.Com. Qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA), with All India Third Rank in CA final. This apart won Gold Medals for being subject topper. When Music married Sri Hariji, son of the Paranur Mahatma Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal, the Sangeetha Upanyasam world got a new champion in Smt. Vishakha Hari. Smt. Vishakha Hari had combined Music and English narration, when she was given the rare opportunity to deliver a programme in House of Commons London, and the House stood up with thunderous ovation.
Smt. Vishakha Hari presents “Prahladha Charitram” on March 17, which is bound to tug and melt your hearts. “Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam” on March 18, promises to be a Musical Niagara. Come enjoy Sangeetha Upanyasam at its traditional best.
About Sri U.Ve.DUSHYANTH SRIDHAR
Age 25 plus years, Post- Graduate in Chemical Engineering from BITS Pilani, working in an Indian MNC software company, visiting faculty in a reputed business school, if you rush to conclude, that these lines have wrongly entered a Rama Navami brochure, consider this.
Formally trained in Sanskrit and Tamil pasurams. Three years Carnatic music tutelage. Undergoing rigorous training in Grantha Chattushtayam (viz: Sri Bhashyam, Gita Bhashyam, Bhagavad Vishayam & Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram), Oh! Yes this is interesting. Familiar face in Vijay TV, Sankara TV, TTD-SVBC channels, delivering Upanyasams, interspersed with classical music, Super. Sri Rama Navami proudly presents Sri U.Ve. Dushyanth Sridhar – A superior combination of Professional success and Spiritual passion.
Learning GranthaChattushtayamatthefeetoffourAcharyas,SriU.Ve. Karunakarachariar Swamy (who was amidst us in March 2010), Sri. U.Ve. Srivatsangachariar Swamy (Principal Madras Sanskrit college), Sri. U.Ve Sowmyanarayanachar Swamy (former CEO, GIC Housing Finance), Sri U.Ve. Saranathachar Swamy. (Vice- President Reliance Industries). Deeply interested in Sri Ramanuja philosophy and the works of Sri Vedanta Desikan. Sri Dushyanth Sridhar received Samashrayanam at the lotus hands of HH Narayana Yatendra Mahadeshikan, the 45th pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt. Released an album of six MP3 – CDs of 36 hours in October 2010, presenting Sreemad Ramayanam in English.
Sri Dushyanth Sridhar brings a refreshing contemporary perspective of our great epics, and aims at deriving logic, instead of simply receiving them as mythology. In his discourses we could hear concept of ‘nanotechnology’ being related to water on a lotus leaf, and semi- conductors compared to Thiruppavai – Truly,the modern Upanyasakar has arrived. Sri Dushyanth’s special moment – when a 85 year old person in Calcutta, came to him and said that his young grandson enjoyed the simple meaningful speech and he enjoyed the richness in content.
Sri Dushyanth is amidst us for three days, sketching for us the important characters of Ramayanam. We will enjoy him quoting freely from atleast seven works of Ramayanam in multiple languages, with liberal references to Alwar pasurams. Come enjoy the feast. Please make it a point to also bring the younger ones in the family.
