 Nada Haram at Mantralayam
 Mantralayam resembled a paradise on earth on March 5 and 6 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mantralaya Mahan Sri Raghvendra Swamy. ‘Nada Haram’ a unique musical fare, was coordinated by Dr R Ganesh, founder-trustee of the Sri Maharajapuram Santhanam Rasikas Trust.
About 108 musicians gathered at the Moola Brindavan of Raghavendra Swamy to pay musical obeisance to
him. There is an interesting episode which made Dr Ganesh arrange the musical event.
Sri Jayendra Saraswati, the Sankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, made 108 pundits do Vedic chanting at the Tirumala hills some time ago. The whole area echoed with Vedas.
 Taking this as a precedent, Dr Ganesh thought it befitting to arrange a musical confluence and titled it ‘Nada Haram’. He settled on the idea of doing it in Mantralaya – for Raghavendra Swamy undoubtedly. The Swamy is a vainika par excellence and exponent of classical music. Dr Ganesh put forth his brainwave to Ranganatha Achar and waited for some time for divine approval.
Inscrutable are the ways of God! Achar dreamt that ‘Nada Haram’ was offered to Raghavendra Swamy and immediately asked Ganesh go to ahead with his plan. With the blessing of the current Peetathipadhi, Sushmeendra Theertha Swamigal, this mega event was celebrated on a grand scale.
Layavinyasam on March 5, a percussion fest, was an aural treat. This was followed by ‘Rathotsavam’ where nagaswara vidwans Tiruppanbaram T K S Swaminathan and Meenakshi Sundaram played
‘Mallari’.
The following day mangala isai was followed by ‘Namasankeerthanam’ by musicians. Karur Krishnamurthy and K R Swaminatahan led the vidwans who went a round the Moola
Brindavan.
 One way of realising God is Nadahara Samarpana. The chorus rendering of Pancharatna Kritis of Tyagarja helped the devout and music buffs reach sublime heights.
The galaxy of musicians was led by T K Govinda Rao, P S Naraynaswamy, Thiruvengadu
Jayaraman, Srigazhi Jayaraman. Voilin, veena, mridanagam, ghatam,
kanjira, flute, morsing, tabala, tavil, nagaswara artistes played a pivatol role in making this event a success.
Artistes who were singing and playing in tandem made the place reverberate with soulful music. The sea of humanity waiting to have a rendezvous with Raghavendra Swamy enjoyed the seamless blend of genres.
Usharaja
Usharaja60@hotmail.com
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