'Natya Kalaratna' for Maya Rao; HN honoured

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, OCT. 7. The Bangalore Gayan Samaj has ambitious plans of starting a dedicated institute of advanced studies and research in music, Mr. H.Kamalanath, President of the Samaj, has said.

``We hope to inaugurate the institute in three years, coinciding with the Gayan Samaj's centenary celebrations,'' Mr. Kamalanath said. He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the 33rd ``Sangeeta Sammelana'' of the Samaj here on Sunday.

On the occasion, the Samaj honoured Ms. Maya Rao, Kathak dancer and choreographer, with the title of ``Natya Kalaratna'', and Dr H.Narasimhaiah, veteran freedom fighter and educationist, with a ``Vishesha Puraskara''.

The Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, who felicitated the two, said that the Government would support the creation of the institute of advanced studies, and participate in the centenary celebrations of the Gayan Samaj. ``We will do so within the bounds of resource constraints faced by the Government,'' he said.

With the exception of those lucky enough to learn from senior artistes, students of fine arts lacked proper guidance, Mr. Kamalanath said. There was also a need to train teachers, who evaluated the students, he said. The institute was expected to cater to both these needs.

Ms. Maya Rao, who presided over the activities of the 33rd ``Sammelana'', said the six expert sessions of the ``Sammelana'' were well received. She urged young artistes ``not to take shortcuts to fame.''

She also announced a new endowment in the memory of her late husband, M.S.Natarajan, who was himself a well-known musician.

Eight senior artistes were honoured by the Samaj as ``Artistes of the year''. They are: Mr. Ramachandra Rao and Mr. K.Venkannachar, vocalists, Mr. T.S.Bhat, dancer, Mr. S.Seshagiri Rao, violinist, Ms. M.K.Saraswati, veena artiste, Mr. A.V.Prakash, flautist, Mr. K.Natesh, mrudangam artiste, and Mr. K.S.Srinivasa Murthy, Gamaka Vachana artiste.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Rain leaves stretches of road damaged
Next     : CM's close aides oppose move