Bangalore Gayana Samaja on Sunday played host to the inauguration of a National Youth Festival in Carnatic music, “Kalavanta 2014”, brought together by the Karnataka Fine Arts Council (KFAC).
The eight-day festival (May 18-25) with 14 music concerts would bring forth 45 young artistes who would perform and be evaluated for the Kalavanta Award of the year.
“We have made history in Carnatic music with 10 sabhas coming together in the city for promoting youth talent in the country,” said KFAC chairman, M.R.V. Prasad.
“One keeps a track of professionals in the mega year-end music season at Chennai. So, Bangalore, we thought, should be the hub for people to gather and sieve the best of youth-talent during the mid-year,” he said.
Thus was born KFAC with Gayana Samaja, Ranjani Fine Arts, Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, BTM Cultural Academy, Ananya Cultural Academy, Nadasurabhi, Sree Guruvayurappan Bhajan Samaj, Bharatiya Samagana Sabha, M.A. Narasimhachar Music Foundation and Vishesha Fine Arts.
KFAC secretary Arvind Brahmakal was was happy his fervent enthusiasm for hosting a cultural bonhomie for the aspiring youth from across the country was well-received by the 10 organisations involved.
While the competitors are here after strict rounds of selection procedures, four senior Carnatic icons would be the judges for the eight-day music affair.
“Malladi Suribabu, father and guru of Malladi Brothers; mridangist A.V. Anand; (retd.) Director, All India Radio, N.S. Krishnamurthy; and star vocalist M.S. Sheela would evaluate the 45 artistes, while audiences too would be involved in the grading,” said Mr. Brahmakal.
The best “Kalavanta” would be awarded Rs. 50,000 in cash, while the best of violin and mridanga accompaniments would be given Rs. 25,000 in cash each,” he said.
Earlier, speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Prasad said, “It costs us nearly Rs. 10 lakh for this eight-day exercise and apart from sponsorships, the 10 sabhas gathered here are sharing expenses. Not just going national, KFAC’s ‘Kalavanta’ will soon be a mid-year hub for patrons across the globe.”
“Most youngsters who are into serious classical music are working professionals these days, and that is what makes this youth festival more special,” said Dr. Krishnamurthy, after formally inaugurating the festival. “Yesteryear star GNB (G.N. Balasubramaniam) was hailed a hero as he was a musician and a graduate. Today, it is working professionals who are performers and it is their energy and passion towards arts that showcase a focussed journey. Let Bangalore mirror these young stars to the world,” he said.
