As the city reverberates with the sound of music this Ramanavami, the oldest sabha of Bengaluru – at 109 – is still hitting the right notes.
Sri Rama Bhakta Sabha boasts of names such as Veene Seshanna, flute Sanjeeva Rao, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar being personal guests of the founder, compounder C.V. Subba Rao, who ran the sabha for 45 years from 1906.
C.V. Venkatesh, Rao’s grandson who has been running the show for 22 years now, says, “Veene Seshanna was kind enough to play Subba Rao’s favourite raga Kalyani specially for him later, as he was busy during his concert. Those were the days when music and artistes were more approachable.”
Rama Bhaktha Sabha that took root in Bethamangala in Kolar district and subsequently came down to the city starts its Ramothsava earlier – from Ugadi. Its 10-day programme this year had Vidyabhushana, Srimushnam Raja Rao and Yakshagana by Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali. The concluding day (March 30, 6 p.m., Eshwara Seva Mandali, Sampige Road, Malleswaram) will see a variety of programmes by members of the Rama Bhaktha Sabha.
“My grandfather never took a fee from his patients, but had no inhibitions in appealing to them for contributions towards Ramothsava. He believed a spiritual call dragged him towards bhakthi and music,” says Mr. Venkatesh.
“This is one reason he took a promise from my father Vasudev Rao that he would devote one month of his salary towards Ramothsava every year. After four decades of service that had my father tap every door barefoot asking for donations, it is my turn to keep his word!” says Mr. Venkatesh.
Rama Bhaktha Sabha’s weekly bhajans from 1906 had Harikathe vidwans Hanumad Vilasa Ramachar and Gopinath Dasaru participate too. “The Saturday Bhajane has continued for the last 109 years, and this makes it nearly 5,668 weeks non-stop!” says Mr. Venkatesh.
