'Taaza Thindi' latest Eatery unveils in Bangalore South

Latest addition to our fresh endeavor and group venture. Much acclaimed most user friendly 'TAAZA THINDI' Eatery - UNVEILS IT'S NEW LEAF FOR BANGALOREANS TODAY, the 26 July 2016, AN AUSPICIOUS TUESDAY @ RING ROAD NEAR KATTHARAGUPPE SIGNAL BANGALORE. 

Absolute spic n span and food safety standards guaranteed, most pocket friendly & customer friendly venture ! Shall be open from tomorrow, 27 July 2016 officially for sentinel needs and satiate your hunger to the fullest value for money..!

SITAR NAWAZ USTAD BALE KHAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION TRUST CONFERS AWARD TO RENOWNED VOCALIST PADMASHRI M VENKATESH KUMAR

Felt totally immersed in musical bliss @ JSS Auditorium Jayanagar Blore - Occasion is unmistakably Padmashri Pt M Venkateshkumar's masterly vocals that captivated a packed house.

He was grandly felicitated by Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bhale Khan Memorial Foundation Trust along with co-sponsors Infosys' Dr.Sudhamurthy, in the dignified presence of Justice Santosh Hegde, Sri Chiranjeevi Singh and other dignitaries.Veteran Sri Ravindra Yavagal on Tabla and Vyasmurti Katti on Harmonium very aptly accompanied the celebrated Vocalist. He was presented a citation alongwith a purse of Rs.1.0 lakh.

In gratitude, Sri M venkateshkumarji presented to the audience a galore of his popular bountiful renditions comprising Mansoon Raagas, vachanas and dasa sahithya.

Also, the Trust in association with donors handed out scholarships to upcoming worthy &  musically orientated students. Brothers Hafiz Bale Khan, Rais Bale Khan and family can take credit to have conducted the whole evening befittingly without much ado, supported by scores of volunteers. There were no lengthy boring speeches albeit dignitaries Justice Santosh Hegde and Former Karnataka State Chief Secretary Sri Chiranjeevi Singh spoke so meaningfully sensing the mood of the occasion.

A huge round of applause for Ustad Bale Khan Legacy prompting Pt.M.Venkatesh Kumar to sing some memorable compositions that were swift in nature as his wont. The evergreen 'Akka Kelavva', 'Toredhu Jeevisa bahudhe', Hanuman Chant, 'Binati Karat Hun' and a Chota Tarana stand out in my memory though there were two Miyan Malhar and Sohin raaga based classical presentations in the beginning. Audience just love the way Sri Venkatesh Kumar carries on their promises in an unbridled manner 

It was surely a memorable evening considering the enormous following for classical music, especially Sr. M.Venkatesh kumar's powerful vocals that touches the hearts of even those who haven't had a keenness for music.!..Such is the power of his eternal music.

'BARKHA RITU' CONCERT @ CHOWDAIH MEMORIAL HALL BANGALORE

'Barkha Ritu' concert @ Chowdaih Memorial Hall on Saturday, 16 July 2016 evening was pure music personified. Most talented prodigal U.Rajesh on Mandolin and popular Floutist Dr.B.Vijayagopal, senior Mridanga vidwan Sri Praveen and the ever mercurial young Amrit Khanjira II enthralled a packed house first with an elaborate Ragam Tanam Pallavi in raag Varunapriya (Varunaroopini) - U Srinivas composition - was remarkable.

Then followed Ustad Rashid khan's legendary vocals comprising Mansoon Raagas Miyaan malhar, Ramdasi Malhar, Sur malhar and famed number 'Yaad Piya ki' from the evergreen memory. He was very ably accompanied by Tabla Nawaz Sri SHUBHANKAR BANERJEE, wonderful Pt.Joglekar on harmonium, imaginative Allarakha khan on Sarangi.

Both concerts left the audience wanting more as the time was up. It was befitting  'Bharat Ratna Pt.Bhimsen Joshi tribute', with series of concerts held under the aegis of Banyan Tree all over India alongside co-sponsors L & T. Also had a chance to meet up all respected Maestros back stage with good friend Deepa Kishan, Kin Nagaraj Aithal P R, upcoming Sarangi nawaz Sarfaraaz Khan, his younger brother Sarod player Faraaz khan, connoisseur veena shastry, Master Atharva Rao. 

Overall a fulfilling experience.

SRI PRAVEEN ON MRUDANGAM,- U.RAJESH ON MANDOLIN
DR. B.VIJAYAGOPAL ON FLUTE - AMRUT ON KHANJIRA

SHUBHANKAR BANERJEE ON TABLA & USTAD RASHID KHAN VOCALS
PT.AJAY JOGLEKAR ON HARMONIUM - ALLAH RAKHA KHAN ON SARANGI

Friend Deepa Kishan & another friend Girish Kulkarni
with Ustad Rashid Khan backstage post concert

AN EPITOME OF HUMILITY AND HEAVENLY MUSIC - PADMASHRI AWARDEE Pt.M.VENKATESH KUMAR

An epitome of humility and politeness, Padmashri Awardee Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar

Born on 1 July 1953 @ Lakshmipura in the Dharwad region of northern Karnataka, Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar is Hindustani classical vocalist. Also renowned globally for his husk, vibrant classical singing style, he’s equally at ease and popular in singing Dasara Padas & Devotional songs.

Venkatesh Kumar's father late Huleppa was a folk singer/leather puppet artist. In 1968, when he was 12, Kumar was taken by his uncle Sri Belagallu Veeranna to the Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag (central Karnataka), run by Puttaraja Gawai, the religious saint and Hindustani musician. Kumar lived and learned at the ashram for the next 12 years.

Though he admits to the influences beyond other gharanas, notable among them being Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala gharana,  Kumar unremittingly learnt Hindustani vocal in the Gwalior and Kirana gharana styles under Gawai, blending these styles effortlessly in his presentations, His guru was also trained in Carnatic music and as a result, there are traces of Carnatic elements – especially in his sargam patterns – in Pandit Kumar’s music

14 years after leaving the ashram, Kumar got his first major break in 1993, receiving a telegram-invitation from the Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi to perform at the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav in Pune that year. He had established a significant local reputation by then, but the performance in Sawai was the first step towards national exposure. However, he had to wait for another decade before he became a regular on the national festival circuit. Since then he has featured in many National musical programs, and has been an "A" grade Artist of All India Radio since 1988.

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was asked whom he would like to listen to, on the occasion of  Maharashtra Government conferring the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan award’ in 2002, his first choice was Ustad Rashid Khan whose unavailability to perform pitch forked Pt.Kumar as his immediate choice. Such is the power behind Kumarji’s music.

Venkatesh kumar is gifted with a rarest blend of mellifluous, robust vibrant voice - rich in tradition and deep in devotion. His vast experience, innovativeness and deep-rooted commitment have made him a name to reckon with through his performances  at all major music festivals in India and abroad.

Pt Kumar is most acclaimed for his Kannada vachana and dasara pada renditions in devotional music. Most Popular ones include "smarane saalade" of Nada Varshini Album. He also has also cut multiple Devotional and Classical CD albums to his credit.

Pandit Kumar held a teaching job at the University College of Music, Dharwad till recently. This commitment regularly forced him turn down concerts, but he refused to quit the job that offered him stability at a time when concerts were hard to come by. He also received a post graduate degree in music from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

If there’s to be someone so deserving for the prestigious Padma Award, it ought to be Pandit M.Venkatesh Kumar and we Kannadigas feel elated and honored ourselves as the Nation salutes him in awe of his dedication, devotion and commitment to lift music to parochial heights.

He has authored the text book of Music prescribed for the Examination conducted by the Govt. of Karnataka. Sri Venkatesh Kumar served as a faculty member at Music College, Dharwad University and taught Music to degree classes. Currently under retirement from the job, he is the proud recipient of several titles namely:

1. Swarashree

2. Sangeet Sudhakara

2. Sangeeta Ratna

3. Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1999)

3. Karnataka Sangeet Natya Academy Award (2007)

4. Vatsala Bhimsen Joshi Award 2008

5. Krishna Hangal Award (2009)

6. Kendra Sangeeth Nataka Akademi Award (2012)

7. Honorary Doctorate from Karnataka University,

    Dharwad (2014)

8. Swara Laya Samrat (2014)

9. Padma Sri Award by Government of India (2016)

Our Nation has many such proud sons. Honoring these great men who have turned their lives into live examples by legendary herculean efforts through utmost dedication, fighting poverty and lack of education. We, the Nation honor ourselves by honoring these men of steely resolve and utmost humility. 

It's matter of great pride for me listening to his heavenly music for more than 3 decades. He's travelling to Sirsi for a concert while I called, but sooner he reverted to me on bang to accept my hearty wishes. Such humility from an Iconic person floored me. May their tribe grow in zillions.

PADMA VIBHUSHAN DR.MALLIKARJUNA MANSUR TRIBUTE 'CHIRANTAN" @ BANGALORE CANARA UNION ENTHRALS

‘Pune based NEW AGE FOUNDATION & DEPARTMENT OF KANNADA & CULTURE IN KARNATAKA jointly conducted a simple yet meaningful felicitation in honor of Padmashri Awardee Pandit Sri M.Venkatesh Kumar last Sunday, 20 March 2016 under the aegis of Pune based NEW AGE FOUNDATION @ Canara Union, Malleswaram, Bangalore.

Both 19 & 20 March evenings, venue was jam packed by connoisseurs of music, witnessing concerts by names to reckon, renowned Sarod exponent from New Delhi, Pt.Biswajit Roy Chowdury, Celebrated Vocalist Pt.Ganapathi Bhat Hasanagi from Sirsi, Karnataka & Vidushi Aditi Upadhye. I felt damn lucky to attend back to back vocal concerts by Pandita Priyadarshini Kulkarni & Padmashri 2016 Awardee, our own Pt.M.Venkatesh Kumar on 20 March though.

Pandita Priyadarshini Kulkarni’s New Age Foundation, Pune jointly organized this memorable musical tribute CHIRANTAN' to Hindustani Music Doyen Padma Vibhushan Late Mallikarjun Mansur in a befitting manner. She regaled the audience first by evening raga Behag followed by sonorous Niyathi Kanada presentation. Aptly accompanied her on Tabla and Harmonium were M/s Gurumurthy Vaidya and Anirban Chakroborthy. 

Also stood released on the occasion by Padmashri M.Venkateshkumar & dignitaries to her credit, was a CD pack comprising of Morning & Evening Raagas rendered by Pandita Priyadarshini Kulkarni.

What followed later was vocal rendition by Pt.Venkatesh Kumar who virtually brings in so much of magnetism by his purity of music filled with devotion, gayaki ang and the tehrav in awe. 

If there’s a vocalist-musician holding sway on the audience wherever performed, it’s  to be none other than him. His music automatically connects to the audience so well. Raag Chayanat, Basant Bahar, Late Mansur’s favorite  ‘Akka Kelavva’ and the ever popular number on my request ‘Toredu Jeevisa Bahudhe”, his Vachana gayana enthralled the audience no end. M/s Keshav Joshi on Tabla and Anirban Chakroborthy on Harmonium very appropriately accompanied him. 

Humility personified & such a towering performer, Pt.Venkatesh Kumar deserves much more than what’s bestowed upon, for making musical inroads all over the globe. To me his Godly Gayaki directly descends from heaven as he weaves a magical web by his difficult taans made look simpler in presentation and the audience too won’t settle for his lesser either..! The magnificence of his singing is simply electrifying.

So as his wont, Sri Vijayendra Athanikar lent a meaningful prologue to the invited audience both days. A word of appreciation must go to Pandita Priyadarshini Kulkarni, who not only performs but also carries lot of ethos & understanding for musical roots she inculcated from the Rich Jaipur Atrouli Gharana. 

Her earnest effort to felicitate the cynosure of all eyes, Pt.Venkatesh Kumar had to be on a high note and those present were neither disappointed by the enthusiastic response. Her accomplices including the Canara Union office bearers will have to be surely patted for hosting such a commendable event.

Special thanks must go to other accompanying artistes giving sath to all musicians including my friend Tabla Nawaz Sri Rajendra Nakod.


I personally gained two more kind musically oriented persons in well-known & affable Sarod Exponent Pt.Biswajit Roy Chowdury and Sri Rajneesh Atre, an avid photographer and Senior Physics Professor from Indore who also delves on musicology once in a while – some of the photographs flashed here are his courtesy. Can you imagine, so passionate Sri Atre travels to most places just to cover these concerts. Truly  blessed we are if such quality music recurs over and again.