Local talent for homage to poet

A number of dancers and singers will come together next fortnight to pay their homage to Annamacharya, one of the greatest saints and poets of South India.

Called, Annamayya Padahela, the three plus hour-long programme will incorporate the compositions of the master of songs, who lived in the 15th Century (he died in 1503 AD, aged 94) and gave the world more than 32,000 kirtanas and songs that enliven learners and teachers of music to this day.

Sangeetha Bharathi School of Carnatic Music Principal Padma Govardhan will lead scores of young singers, many of them her students, in the vocal segment of the programme, while several young dancers of the Anuradha School of Indian Dances will present items that extol the Lord, in the words of Annamacharya.

Violin artistes Ashok Malur, Syamala Hariharan, Sam Swaminathan, Mridangam artistes Dr Suresh Ramachandra, Krishna Somasundaram and their students and Tabla players Ravi Nyayapati and Dr Sthitha Pragna will also perform at the anniversary concert.

Sangeetha Bharathi Director Govardhan Mallela said more than 80 performers will take to the stage and that part of the proceeds of the programme will be donated to the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of New Zealand, which is constructing a $3 million Temple in Henderson (see Indian Newslink, April 15, 2010).

Tickets are available at Yogiji’s Food Mart, RRK Foods, members of the Executive Committee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan and Sangeetha Bharathi.

Photo: Students of the Sangeetha Bharati in concert