Kalasagaram is organising its 41st Annual Cultural Festival of Music, Dance & Drama. The festival starts from 22nd Nov '08 and ends on 30th Nov '08.

In the inaugural function, Dr Sripada Pinakapani (vocal), Prof. Parur M S Anantharaman (violin) and Srimushnam V Raja Rao (mridangam), will be felicitated, and the title of 'Sangeeta Kalasagara' will be conferred upon them. The felicitation program will be followed by a concert by the Parur violin trio. K Swaminathan, Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Government of AP, is the chief guest of the function.

Dr. Sripada Pinakapani is a doctor, administrator and professor of medicine, known more as a Carnatic musician, from Kurnool, AP. He was head of the department of medicine at the Kurnool Government Hospital and the Kurnool Medical College. He was honoured with the title of Sangeeta Kalanidhi, and has also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan, from the Government Of India. His disciples include Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, and the Malladi brothers. He wrote several books on Carnatic music, and 'Gaanakalasarvasvamu', which had every minute detail of kritis, ran into multiple volumes.

Prof. M S Anantharaman was trained by his father, Parur A Sundaram Iyer. He also learnt Hindustani music, and has been playing the violin for more than 7 decades, right from the age of seven. He worked as a professor at the Central College Of Carnatic Music in Chennai, for 22 years. He even taught the violin at the Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburg (USA), and at Hong Kong. He plays solos, duos and trios, besides accompanying other artistes, including Ariyakudi, Chembai, Maharajapuram, M S Subbalakshmi, D K Pattamal, M L V, K B Sundarambal and others. He was awarded the 'Kalaimamani' (Government Of Tamil Nadu), the Sangeet Natak Academi Award (Government Of India), the 'Sangeeta Kala Acharya' title (Music Academy), and other titles and awards.

Srimushnam Rajarao, who started performing at the age of 7, has a musical heritage going back to his great-grandfather, Sri Sethumadhava Rao, a renowned mridangist. Rajarao got his initial training from his father, Vidwan Venkataramana Rao, and subsequently, from Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer. He has won several awards, including the 'Kalaimamani' (Government Of Tamil Nadu), the 'Rasika Kalaratna' (Sydney), 'Sangeeta Ratnakara' (Cleveland Aradha Committee) and the Best Mridangist award (Music Academy).

Entry is by tickets, which can be booked in advance. Season passes for the 9-day festival are available for Rs. 400, Rs. 300 & Rs. 200, and daily passes are priced at Rs. 100, Rs. 50 & Rs. 25. Tickets are available at Keyes High School, everyday, from 5:30pm.

Please contact V Rajagopal, General Secretary at 2773-1775 / R Ramamurthy at 2722-4276 / Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy at 2782-5795 for further details.