The Rudrapatna Sangeetotsava Samiti Trust has scheduled the 16th music festival at Rudrapatna, popularly known as a music village, in Araklgud taluk from May 18 to 21.
Musicians from different parts of the globe will perform at the four-day festival that attracts thousands of enthusiasts. Special attractions of this year’s event include a jugalbandi by Mysuru M. Manjunath on violin and Praveen Gudka on flute.
R.K. Padmanabha, managing trustee of the trust, in a press conference here on Monday, said this time a photo exhibition of musicians who were born in Rudrapatna would be the highlight. “The photos include one dating back to the 19th century. This village has contributed more than 150 musicians and it is a record in the country. No other village has this special quality,” he said.
The trust has been organising the festival for 16 years. “Every year, the number of people participating has been increasing. Wherever I go, people talk about Rudrapatna. During my recent visit to the U.S., I realised that Rudrapatna is popular there as well. It is all because of music,” he said. The Sapta Swara Devatha Mandir, a temple built in the village for music, has been attracting hundreds of people every day. “Music has no barriers. I see people belonging to all religions, castes visiting the temple,” he said. The Tourism Department has sanctioned a Yatri Nivas in the village. It would take another two months for completion. Once the building is ready, it would be helpful for musicians and music lovers visiting the place, Mr. Padmanabha said. The music performances will be held at Ramamandir in the village on all four days.
