| Sri Thyagaraja Sangeetha Vidyalayam |
| (Estd.1980) |
| Balaji Complex, 21/1, Brahmin Street, Saidapet, Chennai 600 015, Phone 2381 0893; INDIA |
 |
| Anniversary Celebrations 2005 |
| 1. Introduction: |
| This year is important for Sri Thayagaraja Sangeetha Vidyalayam, Saidapet, Chennai 600 015, to celebrate the programme in the field of music for silver, gold and diamond jubilee years due to following reasons: - |
| The vidyalayam will be completing 25 years in March 2005. Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Asthana Vidwan, Sri G N Desikan, Founder - Principal &Music teacher of the vidyalayam is completing 50 years service &in the musical field and is also attaining 75 years of age during 2005. |
| Sri Thyagaraja Sangeetha Vidyalayam ,Saidapet, Chennai 15, Tamil Nadu, started in 1980 by Founder & Principal Sri G N Desikan, will be completing 25 years of musical service. This celebration will synchronise with the completion of 75 years of age for Sri G N Desikan and also his service in the music filed for 50 years. |
| 2. Musical Guru(s) of Sri G N Desikan ; |
| Sri G.N.DESIKAN VOCALIST, was born on 9th October 1930 at Kanchipuram to sri N.A. Varadachari and Mrs. Rajalakshmi.He started learning music from his mother at the age of 3 Yrs. He had his musical training from Sri V.R. Sethuraman, a disciple of Madurai Mani Ayyar, for nearly 17 years. He had his debut performance at Sri Thyagaraja Vidwat Samajam, Chennai,on 1955. Since then, Sri Desikan has been giving concerts all over India with accompaniments provided by prominent/ leading violinists and mridangists. He has great admiration for his guru's guru, Madurai Mani Ayyar and has been celebrating Madurai Mani Ayyar Day, every year,besides Sri Tyagaraja Festival & Vidyalayam Anniversary, since 1980. He is the Founder, Principal of Sri TyagarajaSangeetha Vidyalayam, Saidapet, Chennai. He is Now nearing 2000th programme. |
 |
| Sri G N Desikanhonouring his Guru Sri V R Sethuraman during Vidyalayam?s Anniversary. Sri K R Saranathan ,another disciple of Sri V R Sethuraman, looks on. |
| 3.Achievements of Founder, principal, Music teacher Sri G N Desikan |
| 1.Started Learning music at the age of 3 years from his mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi. |
| 2Learned Music from Sangeetha vidwan Shri. V R Sethuraman, Disciple of Ganakalathara Madurai Mani Iyer for nearly 17 years. |
| 3.Joined Services of (ICI) India (P) Limited, Chennai, in the year 1948 and retired as sales officer in 1985. |
| 4.Giving concerts since 1955. |
| 5.Started singing in All India Radio, Chennai , since 1968. He also sang on Doordarshan & other private Channels many times. |
| 6.Now nearing 2000th concerts in sabhas/temple festival/AIR, etc. |
| 7.Sang all over India in Sabhas, Temples, Musical organizations, AIR, with all leading vidwans accompaniment and also given lecture & demonstration on music students at many of the musical institutions in India. |
| 8.Started Sangeetha Vidyalayam in 1980 and honouring an artiste every year at the anniversary celebrations. |
| 9.Celebrating Sri ThayagarajaJayanthi, MaduraiManiIyer Day and Vidyalayam Anniversary every year starting from 1980. |
| 10.Vidyalayam charges very nominal fee for the students with no caste bar. |
| 11.The starting age for music class admission is 3-4 years and many children have giving programmes on public after coming to a position in their music carrier. Still continuing with higher learnings in music. |
| 12.Students participated in many Music Competitions in schools, colleges, AIR, TV & other institutions and won many prizes. |
| 13.The principal, Sri. G N Desikan, has also earned many titles like Sangeetha Rathnam, Sangeetha Bhushana, Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam etc. |
| 14.Vidyalayam's branch has been started at jafferkhanpet, Chennai, to conduct classes for interested students on that area. |
| 15.Sri G N Desikan continued his musical carrier & office works simultaneously for nearly 30 years, |
| 4. List of vidwans accompanied Sri G N Desikan's concerts |
| Many vidwans all over the country has accompanied him in his concerts so far. Few vidwans names were mentioned in states wise as follows: |
| Andhra Pradesh |
| Violin: |
| 1.Sri AnnavarappuRamaswamy |
| 2. Sri A Murali Krishna |
| 3.Sri G Ram Mohan Rao |
| Mridangam: |
| 1 Sri Dandamudi Ram Mohan Rao |
| 2. Sri NarayanaRaju |
| Morsing: |
| 1.Sri ThanigaiNagarathnam |
| Karnataka: |
| Violin: |
| 1. Sri T S Tatachari |
| 2.Sri T TSrinivasan |
| 3.Sri M S Ramaiah |
| 4.Anur Sri Ramakrishna |
| 5.Sri M S Govindaswamy |
| 6.Sri KanchanaSubrathnam |
| 7.Sri T S Krishna Murthy |
| Mridangam: |
| 1.Sri M L VeeraBadraiah |
| 2.Sri P G LakshmiNarayan |
| 3.Sri T A S Mani |
| Ghatam: |
| 1.Sri Manjunath |
| Kanjira: |
| 1.H P Ramachar |
| Kerala: |
| Violin: |
| 1.Sri ChalakudiNarayaSwamy |
| 2Sri C Rajendran |
| 3 Sri T V Ramani |
| 4 Sri NedungadSivanandam |
| 5 Sri T H Subramaniam |
| 6Smt. T H Lalitha |
| Mridangam |
| 1 Sri Mavelikara Krishnankutty Nair |
| 2 Sri MavelikaraVelu Kutty Nair |
| 3 Sri Mavelikara S R Raju |
| 4 Trichur Mohan |
| 5 Sri S A Ramakrishnan |
| Ghatam: |
| 1Sri BangaloreVenkat Raman |
| 2 Sri Udupi Sridhar |
| Kanjira: |
| 1 Sri Y N Santhanam |
| 2 Sri Sridhar |
| Muharsing: |
| 1Banglore Sri Rajasekar |
| Tamil Nadu: |
| Violin: |
| 1 V Govindaswamy Naicker |
| 2 Sri V Sethuramaiah |
| 3 Sri M S Anantha Raman |
| 4Sri M Chandra Sekar |
| 5 Sri TrivelloreSubramaniam |
| 6 Sri R S GopalaKrishanan |
| 7Sri ChittoorGopalaKishnan |
| 8 Sri KandadeviAlagiriswamy |
| 9 Sri Trivellore V Parthasarathy |
| 10Sri V L Kumar |
| 11Sri SikkilBhaskaran |
| 12 Sri Delhi SundarRajan |
| 13Sri Covai Balasubramaniam |
| 14& Sri G Chandra Mouli |
| 15 Sri Nagai Muralidharan |
| 16 Sri AnayampattiGanesan |
| 17 Sri N V Subramaniam |
| 18 Sri MaduraiBalaSubramaniam |
| Mridangam: |
| 1 Sri Madurai Krishnan Iyengar |
| 2 Sri VelloreRamabhadran |
| 3 Sri Madras A Kannan |
| 4 Sri Coimbatore Ramaswamy |
| 5 Dr. T K Moorthy |
| 6 Sri MannargudiEswaran |
| 7Sri Kuttalam Viswanatha Iyer |
| 8Sri suchindram Krishnan |
| 9 Sri TanjoreRamdoss |
| 10Srii M N Kandaswamy |
| 11 Sri Madurai T Srinivasan |
| 12 Sri Tanjore S Subramaniam |
| 13 Sri Kumbakonam Rajappier |
| 14 Sri Nagerkoil GanesaIyer |
| 15 Sri Srimushnam Raja Rao |
| 16 Sri Umayalpuram Mali |
| 17Sri K V Prasad |
| 18Sri T V Gopala Krishnan |
| 19 Sri Nagai S SoundarRajan |
| 20 Sri Tiruvarur S Vaidyanathan |
| Ghatam: |
| 1 Sri Alangudiramachandran |
| 2 Sri T H Vinayak Ram |
| 3Sri T V Vasan |
| 4Sri Madipakkam Murali |
| 5 Sri T D Balu |
| 6 Sri Adambakkam Shankar |
| 7 Sri S Kartik |
| Kanjira: |
| 1 Sri Madurai Krishan Iyengar |
| 2 Sri K S RangaChari |
| 3 Sri MayavaramSomu |
| 4 Sri K V R S Mani |
| Morsing: |
| 1Sri Srirangam kannan |
| 2 Sri R V pakkrisamy |
| Dolak: |
| 1 Sri TanjoreBalappa |
| Keddhu: |
| 1 Sri Avudayarkoil Harihara Baghavathar |
| Delhi: |
| Violin: |
| 1 Sri V S K Chakrapani |
| 2 Ms Sandya |
| 3 Sri SrinivasaRao |
| Mridangam: |
| 1 Sri V GopalaKrishanan |
| 2 Sri Prem Kumar |
| 3 Sri Padmanabhan |
| 5. IMPORTANT SABHAS WHERE Sri G N DESIKAN SUNG |
| To mention a few places where he sung: |
| TAMIL NADU: |
| 1.BilahariGanaSabha, Chennai |
| 2. Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai |
| 3.Jana Ranjani, Kumbakonam |
| 4. Kalalaya, salem |
| 5.Maharajapuram Trust, Ranipet |
| 6. Nadopasana, Chennai |
| 7. Naradha Gana Sabha, Karur |
| 8. Neyveli Sangeetha Sabha, Neyveli |
| 9.Pollachi Tamil Sangam, Pollachi |
| 10.R RSabha, Chennai |
| 11.Sapthaswara, Kancheepuram |
| 12.Sri Krishnan GanaSabha, Chennai |
| 13.Sri SadguruSangeethaSamajam, Madurai |
| 14.Sri ThyagaraBhaktha Sabha, Chennai, |
| 15.Sri ThyagarajaVidwatsamajam, Chennai |
| 16.Tambaram Music Club, Chennai |
| 17.Tamil IsaiSangam, Karaikudi |
| 18.Tamil Isaisangam, Madurai |
| 19.Thiruvaiyaru Sri ThyagarajaJayanthi, Thiruvaiyaru |
| 20.Thiruvarur Sri ThyagarajaJayanthi, Tiruvarur |
| 21.TiruppurShanmugananthaSabha, Tiruppur |
| 22.Trichy Fine Arts, Trichy |
| ANDHRA PRADESH: |
| 1. Dharma PracharaParishad, Tirupathi |
| 2.Kalasagaram, Hyderabad |
| 3. Kanakadurga kala Samithi, Vijayawada |
| 4 Nagarjuna Cultural Centre, Guntur |
| 5. T T D, Tirumala |
| 6. T T D MusicCollege, Tirupathi |
| 7. Thyagaraja Gana Sabha, Eluru |
| 8. Vijaya Kala Bharathi, Vizianagaram |
| KARNATAKA: |
| 1. Bangalore Gayana Samaj, Bangalore |
| 2. Indira Nagar Sangeetha Sabha, Indira Nagar, Bangalore |
| 3.Malleswaram Sangeetha Sabha, Malleswaram, Bangalore |
| 4. Raga Dhana, Udipi |
| 5. Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Bangalore |
| 6. RajajiNagar Sangeetha Sabha, Bangalore |
| 7. Shanmugapriya, K G F |
| 8. Sangeetha Parishad, Mangalore |
| KERALA: |
| 1.Sri Sadguru Sangeetha Sabha, Kozhikode |
| 2. Kerala Fine Arts, Cochin |
| 3. Rasika Priya, Cochin |
| 4.Ranjani Sangeetha Sabha, Kottayam |
| 5.Palghat Fine Arts, Palakad |
| 6.Sri Swathi Thirunal Sabha, Trivandrum |
| 7 Vivekananda Sangetha Sabha, Trichur |
| 8. Tiruppunithura Sabha, Ernakulam |
| 9.FACT Lalitha Kendra, Udyogamandal |
| MUMBAI: |
| 1.Dombivili Fine Arts, Dombivili. Mumbai |
| 2. Sri ShanmugananadaSabha, Mumbai |
| CALCUTTA: |
| 1. Rasika Ranjana Sabha, Calcutta |
| DELHI: |
| 1. Delhi Tamil Sangam |
| 2.Janakpuri Tamil Association |
| 3. Mayur Vihar South Indian Association |
| 4.Swaralaya |
| 5.Chamber Music, Janakpuri |
| 6. Kalangan Trust |
| 7. Music Appreciation Centre |
| 8. East Delhi Music Circle |
| 9. Music Trinity sabha |
| NAGPUR: |
| 1.Nagpur Fine Arts, Nagpur |
| BHILAI : |
| 1.Bhilai Tamil Sangam |
| JAMSHEDPUR : |
| 1. Madrasi Sammelan |
| 6. Honours and titles received : |
| 1.Sangeetha Rathnam from Bhuvaneshwari Peetam, Om Shanthi Ashram, Ambattur, Chennai, in 1973. |
| 2. Sangeetha Bhushana from Tulasivanam Sangita Parishad,Trivandrum,in 1983. |
| 3.Best Junior Musician Award from Indian Fine Arts Society, T Nagar, Chennai, in 1987. |
| 4. Ganamrutha Surabi from SriVidya Peetam, Kallidakurichi, in 1988. |
| 5.SukalayaSangeetha from Chembai Ekadasi Festival Committee,Chembai, Kerala, in 1989. |
| 6.Suswara Sukha Laya Sangeetha from Sri Purandaradasar / Sri Thyaga Brahma Music festival Committee, Tambaram, Chennai,in 1989. |
| 7. Isa iChemmal from Deiveeka kaIyalIsai Manram, Adambakkam., Chennai,in 1998 |
| 8. Asthana Vidwan for Kanchee Kamokoti Peetam, Kancheepuram, T N , in 2002. |
| 7. Celebration of Sri Thyagaraja Jayanthi, Madurai Mani Iyer day & Anniversary Celebrations |
| 6.Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Award for Veteran Musicians from Bharath Kalachar, Chennai ,in 2004. |
| The vidyalayam was started in May 1980 by Sri G N Desikan, since the music school conducted by his master teacher Sri V R SethuramanIyer( a Disciple of late Ganakaladhara Madurai Mani Iyer) for nearly 17 years at saidapet was not held. |
| The vidyalayam was at the beginning in 1980 was managed by Sri Keeranur Ramaswamy Pillai, since Mr. Desikan was employed in ICI India Ltd, Chennai , as sales officer. However, after retirement from service , the founder & principal, Sri G N Desikan took over the classes, in 1984. Vidyalayam also started the Mridangam Classes were held at the vidyalayam for nearly 20 years under the supervision of Mridangam vidwan Nagai Sri S SoundaraRajan. |
| The students in the vidyalayam are taught vocal music starting from beginning and the classes are divided into groups based on the student's standards. Strict discipline is also observed in the vidyalayam, such as regular attendance, wearing kumkum, getting signature from parents for practicing music in the home daily, etc. At the Vidyalayam's anniversary function attendance prizes are given for meritorious students every year, which will be distributed by a senior vidwan/eminent person ,who will preside over the function that day. |
| Sri G N Desikan, Musician, is also a visiting professor for a number of institutions in India. He has also acted as a Judge in music competitions held by various sabhas in the country. |
| The vidyalayam has so far taught music to 2000 students since 1980. In the year 2000, The vidyalam started its branch at ? Kumaran Flats?, C-1,T-13 A, Nagappan street, jafferkhanpet, Chennai. The new admissions to both the schools are made only on Vijayadasami day every year. |
| During the Anniversary Day every year, Sri ThaygarajaJayanthi commences with Unchavrithibhajan in the morning around the nearby streets. On reaching the venue, Pancharathna Gostiganam (the five gems of saint sriThyagarajaKritis) is sung by vidwans present with accompaniments. This is followed by singing of Sri Thayagaraja kritis by those present till evening. |
| Around 4 P.M. Amarar Gana kaladhara Madhurai Mani Iyer,s portrait is unveiled by the vidwan who will subsequently give a concert till 6 P.M. with accompaniments. A prominent personnel will preside over the function and congratulates the vidwans, honouring them with presentation of Shawls etc. |
| Then commences vidyalayam?s anniversary celebrations. The music students will sing group-wise at the end of which distribution of prizes for the best students in attendance throughout the past year. |
| Finally the programme will conclude with Sri Anjaneyautsavam in sampradayaBhajan style conducted by vidwan Sh. K R Saranathan and party . The anniversary celebrations will conclude with vote of thanks proposed by the principal of the vidyalayam, Sri G N Desikan. |
| 8.Sri ThyagarajaSangeetha Vidyalayam honors vidwans/vidwamsinis |
| During the Vidyalayam'sanniversary , it celebrates Galakakadhara Madhurai Mani Iyer day with a music concert by one of the senior vidwans in the field of carnatic music. The Vidyalayam has honored the following vidwans from 1980 followed by their music programmes held either at srisoundareeswarar temple, Brahmin street, or at K P. Kalyanamandapam, Alandhur Road, Saidapet, Chennai 600 015. |
| The following vidwans ,who have sung so far in Maduraimani Iyer Day celebrations of the Sangeetha Vidyalayam, since 1980. Sri G N Desikan's Guru & Senior Disciple of Madurai Sri Mani Iyer, Sri V R Sethuraman, has given the inaugural Concert in such series. |
| S.No Name of the Artist |
| 1. Bombay Sisters Smt. C, Saroja & Smt. C Lalitha Vocal Duet |
| 2. Chittor Sri Venkatesan - Flute |
| 3. Delhi Sri T R. Subramaniam |
| 4. Dr N Ramani - Flute |
| 5. Dr. M Chandrasekaran ? Violin solo & Vocal |
| 6. Dr. Madhurai Soma Sundaram |
| 7. Dr. S Ramanathan |
| 8. Karur Sri D Krishnamoorthy |
| 9. Madurai Sri G S Mani |
| 10. Neyveli Sri SanthanaGopalan |
| 11. Seerkazhi Sri Jayaraman |
| 12. Sikkil Sisters Smt. Kunjumani & Smt.Neela - Flute |
| 13. Smt. SeethaDuraiswamy- Jalatharangam |
| 14. Sri O S Thyagarajan |
| 15. Sri B V Raman & Sri B V Lakshmanan - Vocal Duet |
| 16. Sri K R Saranathan |
| 17. Sri R Pichumani - Veena |
| 18. Sri T V Sankara Narayanan |
| 19. Sri TirupoonduruthiVenkatesan |
| 20. Sri V. R Sethuraman |
| 21. Tiruvenkadu Sri Jayaraman |
| 22. Tiruvidaimarudhur Sri S Radhakrishnan |
| 9. Chief Guests of the Madurai Mani Iyer Day |
| The following prominent persons presided over the Ganakaladhara Madurai Mani Iyer day and honored the vidwans who participated in the programmes. |
| Sri B R Kumar, (AIR Chennai Station Director (Retd),Sri Thyagu, Sri KothamangalamViswanathan, Dr. M Balamurali Krishna, Justice Samikannu, Sri N V Subramaniam, Sri B RajamIyer, Sri V S Sundararajan, Sri Kalakad Rama Narayana Iyer, Sri Mannargudi Sambasiva Iyer, Sri V S Gnanskandan, Tharara, Journalist, Sri. V Ramamurthy, IAS , Sri Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan were participated in the anniversary programmes. |
| Note: |
| Sabhas, Music organizations and temples in India & abroad wants to join the celebrations in honoring the SangeethaVidwan Sri G N Desikan may contact Vidyalayam or can send e-mail to: g_n_nn@yahoo.com. The detailed programme of the anniversary celebrations will available be on the net shortly. Contributions are welcome. |
| ------OM ------------ |
|