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 Kalyanapuram R Aaravamudachariar
Kalyanapuram R Aaravamudachariar, a leading exponent of Harikatha, imparts training to students on Harikatha at the Sri Ranganatha Paduka Vidyalaya, run by Srirangam Srimath Andavan Asramam. He is currently presenting a Tiruppavai series at the Narada Gana Sabha mini-hall every morning from 7 a.m.
A former executive of a multi-national corporation, Aaravamudachariar gave up the job to concentrate full-time on spreading awareness of Indian culture, especially about Harikatha, the scriptures and classical, Carnatic music.
Born on 25th July 1936 at Kalyanapuram, a beautiful village on the southern bank of river cauvery, adjacent to
Thiruvaiyaru.
Father: (No more) Nathamuni Ranganatha Iyengar (popularly known as Raju Vaadyar) was a Vedic scholar of repute and well-versed in music, Divya
Prabandam.
Mother: (alive, 89 years old) Sengammal, pious housewife who took care in bringing up the children in a proper atmosphere.
After high school education at Thiruvaiyaru, he moved out of Kalyanapuram at an early age for further studies/employment.
During the early years, he learnt the Vedas, Prabhandam and had initial lessons in music from his father. It is noteworthy that Ranganatha Iyengar acted as Narada/Swami Nigamantha Mahadesika, in the drama 'Sankalpa Suryodayam' and used to also sing in the dramas. He had given vocal support for Harikatha performances of
S T Srinivasachariar.
Having served in reputed organisations such as Remington, mM, and IDM for over 20 years, Aaravamudhachariar decided to give up the job and pursue Harikatha on a full-time basis, at the age of 43, unmindful of the financial loss.
He learnt sampradaya Granthas from Srimath Thirukudanthai Andavan.
He learnt the intricacies of Harikatha from the doyen, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Embar Vijayaraghavachariar, whose style he followed.
On the recommendation of Embar Vijayaraghavachariar, the Madras Music Academy invited him in 1979 to present a Harikatha, which was the maiden performance. Thus, this is the silver jubilee year of his Harikatha career.
It was in the same year - 1979 - that All India Radio, Tiruchirapalli, offered programmes at the level of a graded artiste and within 20 years, AIR has upgraded him as top grade artiste.
He has performed in all leading sabhas all over the country. He has performed not only in major cities/towns, but also in small villages.
He imparts training to students on Harikatha at Sri Ranganatha Paduka Vidyalaya, run by Srirangam Srimath Andavan
Asramam.
He has been selected by the Government of India under the Guru-Sishya scheme to teach
Harikatha.
Title:
1 Harikatha Pravachana Praveena
2 Sangeetha Upanyasa Thilakam
3 Harikatha Sudha Nidhi
4 Harikatha Ratnam
5 Harikatha Vaachaspati
6 Suhaada Sathkatha Sarvabhowma
7 Harikatha Kala Saagara
8 TTK Award of Music Academy
9 Kalaimamani Award, Govt of Tamil Nadu
He is the Asthana Harikatha Vidwan of Srirangam Srimath Andavan Asramam.
He is the founder of Shrey, a service academy dedicated to promoting value systems and to inculcate in the younger minds moral/spiritual values. It has been conducting free Sanskrit classes and special lectures meant for youngsters.
Aaravamudachariar also visits old age homes and gives lectures to senior citizens as a service.
As founder-secretary of Sri Andal Thiruppavai Mahotsava Sabha, he has been conducting Thiruppavai Mahotsavam for the last 14 years at Srivilliputtur in which many scholars and musicians take part.
He is the managing trustee of Sri Goda Charitable Trust, founded not only to help the Thiruppavai Mahotsava Sabha but also to extend financial assistance to the economically weaker sections for education.
RR
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