Date:31/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/31/stories/2008103158580200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bharat Sangeet Utsav inaugurated

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. PICHUMANI

Grand opening: (From left) Dancer Padma Subrahmanyam, Mohan Veena exponent Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, industrialist L. Sabaretnam and Director of Tamil Maiyam Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj at the inauguration of ‘Bharat Sangeet Utsav 2008’ in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: Speakers stressed the importance of organising cultural festivals to promote art in a big way at the inauguration of ‘Bharat Sangeet Utsav 2008’ here on Thursday.

The Utsav, a pan-Indian cultural festival being organised by the Carnatica Archival Centre for Music and Dance, in association with Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha, features noted artistes in classical music, dance, sangeeta upanyasam and harikatha.

Director of Tamil Maiyam Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj, who spoke at the inaugural, said sabhas and organisations such as Carnatica and Tamil Maiyam were working towards organising festivals that were aimed at bringing together connoisseurs of the art and laypersons who appreciated different art forms.

Industrialist L. Sabaretnam commended the organisers for the effort. Dancer Padma Subrahmanyam and K. Shivakumar of RmKV were also present.

Ramanathan N. Iyer, director, Carnatica, said that the event featured both, senior artistes as well as upcoming talents.

Veterans such as vocalist Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, violinist M.G. Gopalakrishnan and Mridangam vidwan Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman were also performing in the event, he said.

The inaugural was followed by a concert by Mohan Veena exponent Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

Further details about the festival are available on www.bharatsangeetutsav.org. Call: 94440 18269 or 4553 5576.