Close on the heels of the just-concluded youth piano competition, the city will host the Carnatic music youth contest, Kalavanta.
The contest, to be held from Sunday at Bangalore Gayana Samaja, will bring together nearly 60 young artistes from across India and also from the U.S. to perform and compete for the Kalavanta 2015 award, according to M.R.V. Prasad of Karnataka Fine Arts Council (KFAC).
The KFAC, a collective of 10 music associations in the city, is the organiser of the contest which will be held till May 31.
The KFAC’s reason for organising Kalavanta is straightforward and goal-driven: if Chennai is known for seniors’ participation in its renowned December fest, why shouldn’t Bengaluru offer the youth a competition to earn their passport to the world music platforms?
“It took us nearly three months to complete the screening procedure as the number of young Carnatic musicians emerging in our country is increasing every year,” said G.V. Krishna Prasad, chairman, KFAC. “It is to Bengaluru’s benefit that this second edition of Kalavanta has generated an overwhelming response from aspiring performers across the globe. The city will emerge as the most sought-after hub for youth competitions,” he added.
Three judges would assess 14 concerts by artistes aged below 28, and the best vocalist chosen for the Kalavanta award will get a purse of Rs. 50,000. The best instrumentalist, best accompanying violinist, best ‘pakka vadhya’ artiste and best ‘upa pakka vadhya’ artiste will each get a purse of Rs. 25,000.
The contest will be inaugurated by Karnataka High Court judge Aravind Kumar on Sunday, followed by concerts by vocalists Madhu Kashyap and Brinda Manickyavachakam. On May 31, violists Mysore Nagaraj and Mysore Manjunath will present the awards and present a concert.
City to host eight-day Carnatic music youth contest, Kalavanta
