Renowned Violinist VIDWAN BASAVANAGUDI SRI G.NATARAJ.

[khanjirachavana]

Sri G.Nataraj was born on 25th August 1943 to Sri G.N.Joshi (Assistant Head Master, Arya Vaidya Shaala, Balepet) & Smt. G.Rathnamma (who came from a traditional family of Royal Priests). His maternal uncle Sri. K.R.Seetharama Shastry {famous as Ku.Ra.See.} was a very well known film personality. He was an acclaimed director, producer & a brilliant lyricist of Kannada Film Industry.

Sri G.Nataraj started learning Vocal in 1953 under Vidwan Sri H.K.VENKATRAMANA SHASTHRY at the age of 9. Later on started learning Violin under Vidwan Sri A.VEERABHADRAIAH in the year 1954. Continued violin training under Vidwan Sri H.V.KRISHNAMURTHY from 1955 spanning 8 years.

Sri G.Nataraj started performing in 1957. Since then he had been giving Solo Performances in prestigious sabhas all over the country. His Solo performances were relayed in AIR and Doordarshan. He had accompanied many senior artists of the country. He had featured in many National Level Festivals. He was a most sort after ‘Violin Solo Artist’ of the country.

In 1963, Sri G.Nataraj joined the Ramakrishna Mutt Mission as a Bramhachari to know in depth the way of spiritual life. He was given the name ‘Bramhachari Durgachaitanya Maharaj’. He stayed in the Mutt as an inmate doing spiritual practice and social service. After 9 years of spiritual education and study, he came out in 1971 to lead the life of ‘Grihasthaashrama’. This aspect of spiritual enlightenment was a divine force that guided him to lead a successful career as a Professional Musician.

His wife Smt. N.Lakshmi is a retired employee from the Syndicate Bank. His daughter Smt.Sunitha Ramabhadran is a Project manager in SEIMENS and a qualified Vocalist and Violinist. His son Sri Amrit.N is a Khanjira Artist & Percussionist of International Fame.

Sri G.Nataraj , apart from his guru s ‘s style, followed the impeccable style of ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ Sri Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu Garu. His presentation was filled with rich sound, clarity & 'Shruthi Shuddham'. He had a unique style of rendition that blended the class with mass. His style was simple yet different, attractive and experimental. He had accompanied a lot of Hindusthani concerts too. He drawed inspiration from the Carnatic, Hindustani, Western & Folk styles of Music and tried to adapt them in his playing. He had gained acclamation from critics & audiences. He attributed these as blessings of his parents, his Guru s, his elders and lord almighty for giving fruits to his ‘Saadhana’.

Sri G.Nataraj founded ‘SRI RAMAKRISHNA SANGEETHA VIDYALAYA’ in 1971. Since then he had been training several students in violin. Some of his famous disciples are Smt.Sunitha Ramabhadran, Sri B.U.Ganesh Prasad, Sri Balu Raghuram (UK) & many others. Many of his students have taken up the Music Exams conducted by The Karnataka State Secondary Education Board and have come out with excellent results. His students are performing in concerts too. He had to his credit “Special Multi Violin” programmes where in he used to direct his disciples to perform on stage.

Sri G.Nataraj was a disciplinary. He was a very strict teacher. His main motto to his students was "Punctuality, Regularity & Sincerity". He was very concerned about his students progress in music & otherwise. He taught several students of various caste & creed. His only aim is to serve for the cause of music and contribute in his own way.

Sri G.Nataraj was a very encouraging person. He used to encourage any upcoming artist and make him/her play with him in his concerts. Many artists who have made a mark in the field today were initially encouraged him to a great extent.

Some of the awards he was honoured with were “VIOLIN VAADANA CHATURA”, “DHANURVEENA KESARI”, “DHANURVEENA KALARATHNA”, “TANTRI SWARAMANDALA VAADANA PANCHANANA”, “GANA KALAA SHEKARA”, “NAADA CHINTAAMANI”, “PITILU VAADANA CHATURA”, “KARNATAKA KALASHRI”, “KALA BHOOSHANA”, “TANTRIVAADYA VAADANA NIPUNA”, “SAARANGI VAADANA PRAVEENA”, “RANGA KALASHRI”, “TANTRI VAADYA SAAMRAT”, “DHANURVEENA KALA VANI”, “KALA JYOTHI”, “NADA KALA PARIMALA”, “PITILU MAANTRIKA”, “SANGITHA KALAA CHANDRIKA”, “SANGITHA KALAARAVINDA” and many more.

Sri G.Nataraj was honoured as the “ARTIST OF THE YEAR” by The Bangalore Gayana Samaja in their Annual Music Conference in the year 2000, Prapancha - The World Of Music in the year 2008, by Sri Rama Seva Mandali (Fort high School), Chamarajapet, in the year 2008 and by The Karnataka Ganakala Parishat in their Annual Music Conference, in the year 2009.

Sri G.Nataraj was awarded with “HONORARY AWARD” by the Bengaluru Maha Nagara Paalike on the occasion of Sri Kempegowda day, for the year 2005 – 2006.
Sri G.Nataraj was felicitated by many oragnisations like Sri Vidya Ganapathi Seva Samithi (Dodda Ganesha Temple, Basavanagudi) in the year 1996, Sri Dattathreye Kala Samskruthika Kendra and Sri Ramachandra Sangitha Kala Shaale in the year 1998, Sri Durga Parameshwari Nritya Niketan ® (V.V.Puram, Bangalore) in the year 1999, Laya Surabhi Bangalore in the year 1999, Sri Ayyanar College of Music ® Bangalore in the year 1999, Sri Maathru Devi Vishwa Shanthi Ashram in the year 2000, Sri Thyagaraja Sangitha Sabha Charities Trust® Mysore, in the year 2000, Sri Shankara Seva Samithi Tumkur in the year 2000, Sri Rishi Cultural Educational Centre® Bangalore in the year 2001, Raaga Sannidhi Bangalore in the year 2001, Gaana Bhaarathi Mysore in the year 2001,the Syndicate Bank in the year 2002, Sri Amara Bharathi Kalaa Vrinda in the year 2007, Sri Guru Sai Samskruthika Kala Samsthe in the year 2008, Mulukanadu Mahasangha Mysore in the year 2008, Sri Rama Temple Trust (Amruthahalli) Bangalore in the year 2008 & Guru Smruthi Kala Kendra in year 2010.

Sri G.Nataraj passed away on August 31st 2011 suffering a cardiac arrest leaving behind his family, students & a large number of fans, followers & admirers.

[khanjirachavana]

DATE: 2nd SEPTEMBER 2012. TIME: 5.30 p.m.

VENUE: BANGALORE GAYANA SAMAJA, K. R. ROAD, BANGALORE - 560004

5.30 p.m. onwards

Vedaghosha by VEDA BRAMHA SRI NAGESHWARA SHASTRY.

Welcome Address.

Honouring 'Mridanga Vaadana Ratna' VIDWAN SRI M.VASUDEVA RAO, Renowned Mridangam Artist.

Address by the Chief Guest - 'Karnataka Kala Sri' DR. M. SURYA PRASAD, Renowned Music & Dance Critic.

Address by the Guests of Honor - 'Mridanga Kala Shiromani' VIDWAN SRI A. V. ANAND &
'Kalaimamani' VIDUSHI KUMARI A. KANYAKUMARI.

Felicitations.

Vote of Thanks.


6.15 p.m. : MUSIC CONCERT - VIOLIN SOLO BY


'Kalaimamani' VIDUSHI KUMARI A. KANYAKUMARI - VIOLIN

'Mridanga Kala Shiromani' VIDWAN SRI A. V. ANAND - MRIDANGAM

VIDWAN SRI AMRIT N. - MRIDANGAM

VIDWAN SRI B. S. PURUSHOTTHAM - KHANJIRA

VIDWAN SRI M. RAJEEV - VIOLIN SUPPORT


Compering by TIRUMALE SRI RAVI.


ALL ARE WELCOME.

[Nick H]

Sir, please check the death date: I think there must be a typo error there?

[khanjirachavana]

Hi Nick... Thanks for the intimation... Correction done.

[Sreeni Rajarao]

This thread should have been under Vidwans and Vidushis....

If possible, please post Sri Nataraj's music and some pictures.

I remember hearing lessons in progress whenever I walked by his house back in the 1980s.