Bangalore Gayana Samaja

Bangalore Gayana Samaja (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಗಾಯನ ಸಮಾಜ)

Formation	1905
Type	Cultural Organisation
Headquarters	K.R. Road, Bangalore
Key people	H. Kamalnath

Bangalore Gayana Samaja (Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಗಾಯನ ಸಮಾಜ) is one of the oldest cultural organisation in Bangalore and was established in 1905.^[1][2] The organisation various Indian forms of Indian music such as Carnatic music, Hindustani music, devotional, light music, Harikathe, folk music and theatre along with various Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatya, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali, Chau, Odissi and Manipuri.^[3]

History

The organisation was founded in 1905 and celebrated its centenary in 2005.^[1] K. Ramachandra Rao, who was the headmaster of the London Mission High school in Bangalore was one of the key persons responsible for the formation of Gayana Samaja. During the initial years, music concerts organised by the Gayana samaja were held either at the Ekamabara Sauji Hall or at the hall of London Mission High school. During the early 1920s, the venue was changed to the old Sanskrit college building. The initial location of the Gayana samaja was in a rented building in Chamarajapete.^[4]

In 1926, the Samaja was moved to Shankaraiah Hall, which was specifically built for the Gayana Samaja. It was only in 1962, that the Gayana Samaja moved to its present location on K.R.Road. It was M.S. Subbulakshmi's personal contribution and funds collected out of her benefit concerts that increased the reserves enormously to see the building take shape. The present building housing the Gayana Samaja was built in various stages. The main auditorium and the stage were built as part of the first stage of construction. The front foyer, additional balcony in the auditorium and caretakers quarters were built in later stages. The auditorium of the Gayana Samaja has been recently renovated to improve the acoustics.^[4]

Events

Bangalore Gayana Samaja has regular events such as the annual conference of members, musical demonstrations, lectures and concerts. Renowned musicians are honured with the title Sangeeta Kalarathna during the annual conference. In addition to this Composer's day event to pay respects to renowned composers of Carnatic music.^[3]

Publications

Gayana Samaja publishes a monthly journal, Gayana Samrajya which contains reports of the various activities of the samaja. A book on the history of the Gayana Samaja has also been published. The samaja is also working on publishing a Compendium of compositions of various composers of Indian classical music.^[3]

Notes