While Carnatic Music has been glorified by great poets and musicians, Sangeetha Bharathi Music School based in Auckland is perhaps the only institution in New Zealand that pays its yearly tribute to Annamacharya, a 16th Century composer and saint.
No singer of repute has ever failed to sing his compositions in displaying their prowess in vocal music, for, the power of his songs are said to invoke the blessings of Gods and Goddesses, produce climatic changes and create thunder and rain.
About 40 students of the School, led by their Guru Padma Govardhan and supported by a number of other vocalists and instrumentalists will participate in the event scheduled to be held on June 28 at 6 pm at the recently opened Shirdi Saibaba Temple Hall located at (12-18 Princes Street) in Onehunga, Central Auckland.
“Sangeetha Bharathi Music School donates proceeds of the ‘Annamayya Padahela’ every year to a community project, organisation or charity. This year we are privileged to donate to the newly constructed Temple,” Mrs Govardhan said.
Budding singers
The programme, 11th in an annual series, provides an opportunity to the students of the School to perform on stage with elders and music enthusiasts. A number of them also receive certificates of graduation or appreciation from the School.
The concept of this year’s programme is ‘Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Vaibhavam,’ featuring Annamacharya’s compositions.
Sometime during his formative years, Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya told himself that he would write at least one Sangkeertanam (Devotional Song) a day in praise of Lord Venkateswara, who Hindus consider a Divine form of Lord Vishnu.
By the time he died on February 23, 1503 aged 95, the great composer had completed 32,000 Sangkeertanams, most of which eulogised Sri Venkateswara, Lord of the Seven Hills, located at Tirupathi in the South Indian State of Andhra.
A number of Keertanams offered obeisance to other Vishnu Avatars, including Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. He also sang in praise of Lord Hanuman (who some believe was an Avatar of Lord Shiva), a great devotee of Lord Rama.
The works of Sri Annamacharya have helped millions of people worldwide to realise the Power of prayer and music.
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What: Annamayya Padahela Who: Sangeetha Bharathi Music School When: Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 6 pm Where: Shirdi Saibaba Temple Hall 12-18 Princes Street, Onehunga, Auckland Tickets: $10 (Adults) $5 (10-15 years) Contact: Padma Govardhan on (09) 6245922 Govardhan Mallela on 021-1455708 |
