Vani Kala Kendra, the cultural wing of Vani Vidya Kendra, the school in Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore, has stepped into its 26th year of Ramanavami Music Festival. Years ago, when it thought of giving itself a new dimension, little did it imagine that it would grow to be such an important cultural landmark in the city. “It was perhaps in 1991, when one of the members of the management proposed the idea,” recalls Mattur Laksmi Keshava, who is the retired principal of the institution. “There was no cultural atmosphere in Basaveshwaranagar, and we collectively agreed to this suggestion that the school should organize something. The summer holidays and the Ramanavami season seemed like the most apt occasions for this, and hence the very first time that it was organised, it was a music festival of three days.”
It remained humble in stature for a couple of years, and gradually it began to expand. From three days to five to ten. And in the last four to five years, the school has celebrated a full-fledged music season of 31 days. It began on a small scale, but the enthusiasm and support of people, has made it grow in stature. It has accomm odated more than music -- dance, yakshagana, theatre etc. “We had to do this, because it is important to nurture the tastes of the audience,” explains Lakshmi Keshava, who apart from being a teacher at the school, took special interest in choral music. The school team, under his direction, has won six national awards. “All our infrastructural support comes from the school. Without the support of an enlightened management, something like this is impossible. R.H. Usha, president and R. H. Sharadaprasad have stood by us in every difficulty, providing for everything we do not have. This attitude also comes from the belief that the overall development of the child is important. It was not just about nurturing and preserving music.” He explains how excited children were to meet all these great artistes from up close and serve as their volunteers.
In the initial years, there was not much cost involved -- the school spent a few thousands. “All the artistes we invited were mostly youngsters, and musicians from the state. I am grateful for their co-operation because none of them demanded money.” He remembers the support of artistes like Sukanya Prabhakar, T.S. Satyavathi, M.S. Sheela, S. Shankar, and R.K. Padmanabha who have been with the institution even during fund crunch. “Even Neyveli Santanagopalan has told me – give whatever Rama gives. Many of the top artistes have been very supportive and generous in their gesture.”
The cultural wing has been getting sponsors and public funds in the recent years. They feel that people’s faith in them comes from the fact that they have earned a good reputation. “People know we will not spend their money inappropriately. We have not received any support from the government, except once the Kannada and Culture department sponsored four of our programmes. The former Chief Minister Yeddiyurappa gave us a donation of Rs. 1 lakh,” explains Lakshmi Keshava. Many of the school’s students have gone on to become promising artistes.
“Children should be introduced to the life and achievements of legends. Their rigour and hardwork will be a huge motivation for them.” The veteran vocalist R.K. Srikantan came often to school; he taught children value-based devaranamas. Along with studies, says Lakshmi Keshava, children should be exposed to music, art and literature. “It will inculcate strong values in them.”
