A stalwart, a great human being, a symbol of love, affection and humility, a towering musician who has left behind a colossal classical music heritage for generations, ANANYA pays homage and tribute to Dr R K Srikantan, who passed away, leaving behind a space that can never be filled, replaced or taken.
Dr R K Srikantan was felicitated in his lifetime with many awards including the Padma Bhushan, Gana Bhaskara, Saptagiri Sangeetha Vidwamani, Gayakachoodamani, Karnataka Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan, Chowdaiah National Award, Karnataka Sangeeta Ratna, Sangeetha Prabhakara, Nada Vidya Bharati, Sangeetha Kalanidhi and many more memorable awards. But the world will remember Dr Rudrapatna Krishnashastri Srikantan far beyond these awards, as a vocalist who gave people a immemorial treasure of classical Carnatic musical experience. ANANYA and all its readers and audiences pay our humble tribute and offer our heartfelt condolences to this great soul for his lifetime contribution.
“The Ananya concerts and programs will always carry the fragrance and endearing experience of Dr R K Srikantan,” says its founder, Dr Ananya Raghavendra. He continues, “I was fortunate to have interacted with this stalwart in all these years and what memories I carry are here to stay forever. He was a true representative and one of the greatest artists of our times, who carried an immense passion to not only pursue but also propagate and perpetuate the values and great heritage of our classical music traditions.”
Ananya’s association with Dr RK Srikantan goes back to years and Ananya carries the fondest memories of this stalwart musician, who created a new repertoire of singing and contributed immensely to the cause and development of classical Carnatic music. Ananya fondly remembers, how for its earliest causes and care programs AROGYADHARA, Dr R K Srikantan was passionate to support this cause and was the advisor for Ananya Arogyadhara Scheme. As an organization that supports the cause and development of classical Carnatic music, when Ananya decided to extend its impact and create as many opportunities as possible to needy and ailing artists from the fraternity, Dr R K Srikantan came forward with many ideas and concepts to support this cause. Ananya remembers, acknowledges and treasures all his contributions as Arogyadhara Advisor.
Dr R K Srikantan initiated the series of thematic programs in Ananya, years ago. With that, he developed and orchestrated the entire concepts for what stands today as RAGA DARPANA, a theme that introduced ragas to audiences in an endearing way, a most innovative way of making sure that classical music reaches diverse audiences in the right and required formats. He did several programs in this series and it has created a whole new approach program themes and concepts.
Dr R K Srikantan was very fond of the magazine and used to appreciate the immense efforts of the organizers, teams which produced the content, the artists that were featured in the editions and the overall framework of the magazine. He always had a kind word and true appreciation for the commendable efforts. In our memory, we will always carry this as a treasure and as an encouragement to do more work in this direction. Dr Ananya Raghavendra, fondly remembers how he used to be addressed as ‘Rayaru’ by the stalwart and give away a host of ideas for the magazine, Arogyadhara and much more! Another aspect about the great soul was that he would always cite Ananya as an example of how music organizations must be run and encourage music and art development. We truly cannot think of a greater encouragement and title of honor beyond this one.
Beneath the layers of this great musician, lies a truly great and wonderful human being from whom there is so much to learn. In all of our experience and we are sure, that whoever has interacted and engaged with this great musician, would agree without questioning, that he was one of the most humble and modest musicians of his time. A true icon, an inspiring role model for many generations, now, as Ananya remembers, how even at this age and in his entire lifetime, not once had he ever said NO to either performing or attending Ananya programs. He always agreed and always, always kept his word. Also, for each of the committed programs, he would be ready nearly 30 minutes early and kept the discipline at that age. If you wanted to learn, see or seek a true and high professional, he was one to watch out for…for everybody who knew him would agree that he was so highly disciplined and systematic in everything he did, that it was truly, inspiring.
On January 14, 2014, Dr R K Srikantan turned 94 and his birthday celebrations had seen the release of a biography, “Voice of a Generation.” His spirit and enthusiasm can be a great role model and of true iconic value to generations today having successfully performed over seventy five concerts this year, making him perhaps the busiest nonagenarian musician of his time! Truly inspirational and often called as the Semmangudi of Karnataka, has held the torch of Carnatic music alive in all the critical music centers of the world! He always believed that humility, discipline and devotion was critical for every serious musician and these qualities laid the foundation for a great future! Dr Srikantan was renowned for his adherence to shruti, sahitya and bhava where he clearly laid emphasis on the holistic rendition of music and believed in ‘musical penance’. He has left behind a sea of audiences which includes new comers, experienced musicians, connoisseurs and people from diverse backgrounds clearly defining the impact, range and significance of his renditions. He comes from a family steeped in music for over two centuries and he carried on the tradition even to the nineties with the same passion and perseverance. He believed that there was immense and infinite opportunities and possibilities in our classical Carnatic music and one can go on forever, learning and contributing.
Dr R K Srikantan was cremated with State Honors. The time has gone by and a legend has passed away, leaving us in grief. But in our hearts, we will always cherish, value and treasure the lifetime contribution of this great human being. He represented values that are rare, he carried a devotion and dedication to music that stayed with him for his entire lifetime and he is and was one of the greatest musicians of our country and the world. We will always remember you, Sir.
A stalwart, a great human being, a symbol of love, affection and humility, a towering musician who has left behind a colossal classical music heritage for generations, ANANYA pays homage and tribute to Dr R K Srikantan, who passed away, leaving behind a space that can never be filled, replaced or taken.
Dr R K Srikantan was felicitated in his lifetime with many awards including the Padma Bhushan, Gana Bhaskara, Saptagiri Sangeetha Vidwamani, Gayakachoodamani, Karnataka Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan, Chowdaiah National Award, Karnataka Sangeeta Ratna, Sangeetha Prabhakara, Nada Vidya Bharati, Sangeetha Kalanidhi and many more memorable awards. But the world will remember Dr Rudrapatna Krishnashastri Srikantan far beyond these awards, as a vocalist who gave people a immemorial treasure of classical Carnatic musical experience. ANANYA and all its readers and audiences pay our humble tribute and offer our heartfelt condolences to this great soul for his lifetime contribution.
“The Ananya concerts and programs will always carry the fragrance and endearing experience of Dr R K Srikantan,” says its founder, Dr Ananya Raghavendra. He continues, “I was fortunate to have interacted with this stalwart in all these years and what memories I carry are here to stay forever. He was a true representative and one of the greatest artists of our times, who carried an immense passion to not only pursue but also propagate and perpetuate the values and great heritage of our classical music traditions.”
Ananya’s association with Dr RK Srikantan goes back to years and Ananya carries the fondest memories of this stalwart musician, who created a new repertoire of singing and contributed immensely to the cause and development of classical Carnatic music. Ananya fondly remembers, how for its earliest causes and care programs AROGYADHARA, Dr R K Srikantan was passionate to support this cause and was the advisor for Ananya Arogyadhara Scheme. As an organization that supports the cause and development of classical Carnatic music, when Ananya decided to extend its impact and create as many opportunities as possible to needy and ailing artists from the fraternity, Dr R K Srikantan came forward with many ideas and concepts to support this cause. Ananya remembers, acknowledges and treasures all his contributions as Arogyadhara Advisor.
Dr R K Srikantan initiated the series of thematic programs in Ananya, years ago. With that, he developed and orchestrated the entire concepts for what stands today as RAGA DARPANA, a theme that introduced ragas to audiences in an endearing way, a most innovative way of making sure that classical music reaches diverse audiences in the right and required formats. He did several programs in this series and it has created a whole new approach program themes and concepts.
Dr R K Srikantan was very fond of the magazine and used to appreciate the immense efforts of the organizers, teams which produced the content, the artists that were featured in the editions and the overall framework of the magazine. He always had a kind word and true appreciation for the commendable efforts. In our memory, we will always carry this as a treasure and as an encouragement to do more work in this direction. Dr Ananya Raghavendra, fondly remembers how he used to be addressed as ‘Rayaru’ by the stalwart and give away a host of ideas for the magazine, Arogyadhara and much more! Another aspect about the great soul was that he would always cite Ananya as an example of how music organizations must be run and encourage music and art development. We truly cannot think of a greater encouragement and title of honor beyond this one.
Beneath the layers of this great musician, lies a truly great and wonderful human being from whom there is so much to learn. In all of our experience and we are sure, that whoever has interacted and engaged with this great musician, would agree without questioning, that he was one of the most humble and modest musicians of his time. A true icon, an inspiring role model for many generations, now, as Ananya remembers, how even at this age and in his entire lifetime, not once had he ever said NO to either performing or attending Ananya programs. He always agreed and always, always kept his word. Also, for each of the committed programs, he would be ready nearly 30 minutes early and kept the discipline at that age. If you wanted to learn, see or seek a true and high professional, he was one to watch out for…for everybody who knew him would agree that he was so highly disciplined and systematic in everything he did, that it was truly, inspiring.
On January 14, 2014, Dr R K Srikantan turned 94 and his birthday celebrations had seen the release of a biography, “Voice of a Generation.” His spirit and enthusiasm can be a great role model and of true iconic value to generations today having successfully performed over seventy five concerts this year, making him perhaps the busiest nonagenarian musician of his time! Truly inspirational and often called as the Semmangudi of Karnataka, has held the torch of Carnatic music alive in all the critical music centers of the world! He always believed that humility, discipline and devotion was critical for every serious musician and these qualities laid the foundation for a great future! Dr Srikantan was renowned for his adherence to shruti, sahitya and bhava where he clearly laid emphasis on the holistic rendition of music and believed in ‘musical penance’. He has left behind a sea of audiences which includes new comers, experienced musicians, connoisseurs and people from diverse backgrounds clearly defining the impact, range and significance of his renditions. He comes from a family steeped in music for over two centuries and he carried on the tradition even to the nineties with the same passion and perseverance. He believed that there was immense and infinite opportunities and possibilities in our classical Carnatic music and one can go on forever, learning and contributing.
Dr R K Srikantan was cremated with State Honors. The time has gone by and a legend has passed away, leaving us in grief. But in our hearts, we will always cherish, value and treasure the lifetime contribution of this great human being. He represented values that are rare, he carried a devotion and dedication to music that stayed with him for his entire lifetime and he is and was one of the greatest musicians of our country and the world. We will always remember you, Sir.