Second edition of Bharat Sangeet Sammelan attracts state maestros

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru:

‘Music as a unifying force’ was the theme that attracted musicians like Aruna Sairam – a renowned Carnatic vocalist, Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar – a celebrated Sarod maestro and Dr Tijan Bai – a Pandavani folk artiste, to Sathya Sai Grama in the village of Muddenahalli, which is about 30 minutes from the Bengaluru International Airport.

A conference, Bharat Sangeet Sammelan, is being organised for the second time as part of the 97th birthday celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a humanitarian, philanthropist and spiritual leader who inspired various compassionate service activities globally in the fields of nutrition, education and healthcare through his disciple, Sri Madhusudan Sai.

The Sammelan was organised by the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence. The Conference Chair, Dr Mysore Manjunath, a violinist and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee said, “Music is not for entertainment, but is a tool for experiencing higher levels of consciousness.

The essence of music consists in elevating the entire mankind into the feeling of oneness and unifying all.” Padma Shri awardee Aruna Sairam said, “Music is all about opening yourself to un-limitedness from self-centeredness. Music is not an intellectual activity, but rather a very natural activity that springs forth from your heart. Be open and free while singing. Accept yourself and be happy while singing.”