Chennai’s Rasika Ranjani Sabha (RR Sabha), a prominent cultural institution since its founding in 1929, has announced a significant change to its annual Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, in acknowledgment of the contributions made by “Sangeetha Gnanamu”—a rasika-driven initiative aimed at revitalizing the dharmic foundations of Carnatic music—the prestigious award has been renamed the “Sanatana Ratna Award.”
The renaming reflects the sabha’s commitment to honoring the spiritual and devotional essence of Carnatic music, an art form deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and religious traditions. The first recipient of the newly named Sanatana Ratna Award will be the distinguished artist Sri Kaathaadi Ramamurthy, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to the performing arts. The award ceremony is scheduled for 23 October 2024, at 5:30 PM at the RR Sabha premises in Mylapore.
In conjunction with the renaming, the RR Sabha is also introducing a “Carnatic Music Pledge” as part of its programs. The pledge emphasizes a commitment to respecting the devotional and dharmic origins of the music and discourages actions that may undermine these values. This pledge will appear on banners at the sabha and may be administered to performing artists during events.
The move has garnered support from various prominent figures in the Carnatic music community. Vocalist Palghat Ramprasad, alongside several rasikas, has been leading the initiative, with backing from Gurumurthy, Dr. Vaidhyasubramanian of SASTRA University, and advocate J Sai Deepak. Together, they aim to reinforce the cultural and spiritual significance of Carnatic music through these efforts.
The RR Sabha’s decision to embrace the ideals promoted by Sangeetha Gnanamu reflects a broader movement within the Carnatic music community to reconnect with the art form’s sacred heritage, especially amidst the controversy surrounding TM Krishna’s Sangita Kalanidhi award. As the sabha continues to support the preservation of this legacy, the renaming of the award serves as a meaningful step towards fostering a deeper appreciation for the traditional values that have shaped Carnatic music.
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