On a pleasant winter morning in Hyderabad, Aryakanya High School buzzed with excitement as it hosted a classical music concert. The performance featured beautiful compositions dedicated to Lord Rama, created by various vaggeyakaras, or music composers, from different eras. The concert wasn’t just melodious; it also educated the audience about each piece’s history and significance. Uniquely, the percussion accompaniment featured a thavil player instead of the typical mridangam.
A diverse crowd attended, from music lovers and fellow performers to curious schoolchildren and the general public. The second half of the event included a lively Bathukamma song and dance, with many women participating enthusiastically.
Leading the concert was Dr. Y. Ramaprabha, a renowned Carnatic musician and founder of the Sammohana School for Vocal Music. She was joined by her colleague Neyveli Gnanambal Ramanathan and other talented vocalists like Sesikala and Jayaprada. The thavil was played by S. Seshadri, adding a vibrant rhythm to the performance.
This concert was organized by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Koti, as part of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Pravahini, a nationwide event by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations—an initiative started by the spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba. While the organization is well-known for its charitable efforts, including free medical aid and education, it also believes in promoting classical music.
Music dedicated to Lord Rama is a cherished tradition in South Indian classical music, and many composers have found inspiration in the Ramayana. The concert opened with “Namostute Raghunayaka,” composed by Tumu Narasimha Dasu, accompanied by an invocatory shlokam. The singers displayed remarkable harmony throughout the performance, showcasing compositions from notable figures like Appa Ramappa and the prolific Tallapaka Annamacharya.
A standout piece was Bhadrachala Ramadasu’s “Takkuvemi Manaku,” which conveys a powerful message about divine strength. The audience joined in for “Kodanda Rama,” displaying a collective joy that filled the room. As P. Visweswara Sastry, the event organizer, noted, “Everyone enjoyed the shower of melody and devotion.”
Following the concert, the celebration shifted to Bathukamma, a vibrant floral festival from Telangana. Women danced around a ceremonial arrangement of seasonal flowers, singing thematic songs and celebrating their rich cultural heritage. The event concluded with a traditional Mangala Harathi and the distribution of sweets, leaving attendees with a sense of joy and community.
Music and culture like this not only enrich our lives but also help preserve traditions for future generations.
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Carnatic Music Concert, Devotional Compositions, Lord Rama, Cultural Outreach Programme, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Bathukamma Festival Celebration
