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Way back in 1989, Smt. Saraswati Venkataraman, started a Sloka and Bhajan class with few ladies in Marredpally, Secunderabad. Because it had a religious undertone, this Group called themselves as “ SHARADA CULTURAL BHAKTHAMANDALI”.
Within a span of five years, the Mandali grew into a sizeable organisation. Its activities grew multi fold ‘Thyagaraja Aradhana” started initially as a one day function, gradually increased to 3,5 and later as 9 days’ celebration with senior vidwans from the twincities and Chennai participating. Annual music competitions were also conducted. Philanthropic activities like donations to temples, donations towards marriages of poor girls, financial assistance to the physically challenged etc., were started.
To administer all these, a committee was formed with Smt. Indra Ramamurthy as the President and Smt. Revati Kannan as the Secretary. An all women cultural organization was thus born! Because of their leadership, effort and enthusiasm the mandali grew from strength to strength. The Mandali was registered in the year 2005 as “Sharada Cultural Trust”. It became one of the premier organizations of twin cities, serving the cause of Indian Classical Music.
Our activities include:
Annual Music Festival
Every year in January-February we conduct a nine day Music Festival. It gets tremendous response from the music lovers of the twin cities. Eminent musicians such as Sri O.S. Thyagarajan, Dr. R. Ganesh, Padmasri Kalaimamani Smt. Sudha Raghunathan, Sri Sanjay Subramanyam, Sri G.J.R. Krishnan and Smr. Vijayalakshmi, Smt. Nithyashree Mahadevan, Hyderabad Sisters Kum Lalita and Smt. Haripriya,, Padmabhushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri. T.V. Sankaranarayanan have performed under the aegis of Sharada Cultural Trust.
We have also honoured eminent Musicians, Musicologists or personalities such as Smt. Jayakshmi Santhanam, Sri P. Kuppuswamy, Mahamahophadyaya Kollegal Sri R. Subramanyam, Smt. T.T. Sita, Mahamahobhadyaya Padma Bhushan Sri Nookala Chinna Satayanarayana, Smt. Sundari Janakiraman, Padmasri Dr. Sobha Naidu, recognizing their contribution to the music fraternity.
October Concerts
To encourage local talents, young artists and other art forms, we conduct a series of programs in October. Musical discourses by Smt. Visaka Hari on Purandara Dasa Charitam, Thyagaraja Ramayanam and Rukmini Kalyanam. Music concert by Smt. Kamala Ramani, Smt. Sundari Janakiraman, “Narayaneeyam” upanyasam by the well know Damal S. Ramakrishnan and Smt. Perudevi are some of the other programs conducted.
Annual Music Competitions
Music competitions are held every year in November for different categories. 150 to 200 children participate in these competitions.
Charity
In 2008-2009, the Trust has donated to various charitable institutions. In fulfillment of charitable objective.:
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