CELEBRATING CARNATIC MUSIC
OUR JOURNEY
In 1993, senior Mridangam Vidwan Sri T.A.S. Mani proposed the establishment of a Music Sabha in Koramangala to host regular Carnatic music programs. He, along with Vidwan R.A. Rajagopal and his disciples—Vidwan V.R. Chandrasekhar, R.P. Ravishankar, and Omkar Rao—began organizing concerts at Sri R.P. Ravishankar's home.
On March 2, 1995, the organisation was officially registered as a charitable trust under the name Nadasurabhi Cultural Association, with Vidwan V.R. Chandrasekhar serving as the first president. Monthly programs were relocated to the home of one of the founders, Sri P.V. Rao.
In 1999, a significant turning point occurred when Air Marshal P.M. Ramachandran was elected President. His exemplary leadership led to the formation of a dedicated executive committee, improved accounting systems, an expanded membership base, adherence to statutory regulations, and enhanced overall operations of Nadasurabhi
In 2000, Sri D.S. Gopinath assumed the presidency, ensuring the high standards set by Air Marshal Ramachandran were maintained, while implementing efficient procedures for the organization. Concerts began to be held at the Indian Heritage Academy Hall, thanks to the support of Padmabhushan Prof. N.S. Ramaswamy (CARTMAN).
In 2002, Sri K.S.S. Raghavan became president, continuing the excellent work of his predecessors and facilitating the move of the Annual Festivals to a larger venue at St. John’s Medical College in Koramangala. In 2003, to celebrate the 10th anniversary, a ten-day music and dance festival named “The Best of Nadasurabhi” featured prominent artists.
In 2004, Brig. N.H. Narayan took over as president, passionately working to expand the organization's base and orchestrating record-breaking fundraising campaigns for the festivals.
In 2006, Smt. Harini Raghavan was unanimously elected as president, following a strong recommendation from Air Marshal Ramachandran. To nurture emerging artists, a new three-day Youth Festival was introduced in 2007, alongside the annual Thyagaraja Aradhana. A special award, “Sangeetha Surabhi,” was also established to honour a very senior carnatic musician on an Annual basis.
In 2008, Shri D.S. Gopinath returned as president, initiating many innovative programs.
Brig. N.H. Narayan resumed the presidency in 2010, with the festival venue shifting to the professional St. John's Medical College Auditorium in 2011. By 2012, the festival took place in a new auditorium with excellent acoustics, adjacent to the Nursing College.
In 2013, Sri K.S.S. Raghavan became president while Sri D.S. Gopinath transitioned to mentor. The 20th Annual Festival in November 2013 at the St. John's Nursing College Auditorium was a success, attracting thousands of attendees.
Since then, Nadasurabhi has continued to promote Carnatic music through various innovative programs, including an online YouTube channel featuring over 100 concerts from the Nadasurabhi stage, which has garnered several lakh views and continues to grow.
OFFICE BEARERS
Sri. K.S.S.Raghavan - President
Sri. Raghavan is an electronics engineer by qualification and a businessman by profession,. He has been serving Nadasurabhi for the past 20 years in various capacities. He has brought great modernisation and improvement to the functioning of Nadasurabhi.
Sri. Suresh Subrahmanyan - Vice-President
Sri.Suresh is a senior member of the executive committee. He provides valuable guidance with regard to the activities and goals of the organisation. With specialization in brand building, Sri. Suresh was the Marketing head of a leading luxury jewellery brand, headquartered in Bangalore. Coming from a deeply musical environment, he is himself trained in Carnatic music. He is also the paternal uncle of the famous vocalist Sri.Sanjay Subrahmanyan.
Smt. Harini Raghavan - General Secretary
Smt. Harini is a post graduate in Psychology and a post graduate in Sanskrit, She is also highly proficient in Carnatic Music. She has been the fulcrum in balancing the various arms and activities of Nadasurabhi. She has written several research papers, concert reviews and articles in many mainstream newspapers as well as specialized music journals.
Sri. B.Narayanan - Treasurer
Sri. Narayanan retired as a Deputy General Manager from a leading Public Sector bank. He is a great carnatic music enthusiast and a devoted rasika. He handles the accounting, income-tax and other administrative functions of Nadasurabhi and is a great asset to the organisation.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sri.T.D.Rangaraj is dedicated to service to charitable causes. He extends assistance to spiritual, religious and cultural activities. He is keenly interested in carnatic music. He unhesitatingly volunteers to provide assistance to Nadasurabhi at all levels before, during and after every concert, including the Annual Music Festival. Sri. Rangaraj is a retired senior executive from the private sector industry.
Smt. K.Bhuvaneswari, a post-graduate Computer Engineer from the University of Houston,USA has a professional experience of more than 17 years in the industry. Deeply interested in classical music, Smt.Bhuvaneswari is a dedicated rasika and student of carnatic music. She has been providing consistent support and assistance in all Nadasurabhi activities over a very long period. She has also served as treasurer for a certain period of time.
Dr. Shyam Krishnan is a senior surgeon, in the field of pediatric cardiac surgery. He has retired from one of the most prestigious medical institutes in Kerala. His passion, however has always been carnatic music. Growing up in an atmosphere of music, he has been learning and playing veena from a very young age. He belongs to a family that comes in the lineage of Veena Dhanammal. Dr. Shyam Krishnan provides unbiased opinion on different artists, their merits and demerits which guides Nadasurabhi in its musical direction. He has also been providing generous financial support to the organisation..
Sri. V.Thiagarajan is a dedicated rasika of carnatic music and has been helping in promoting the art for more than 15 years both in India and abroad. He has been conducting concerts of young upcoming artists in his house for many years. Sri.V.Thiagarajan has been a senior executive in a multi-national bank. He has over thirty years of experience in the banking industry. He is always ready to extend his help with regard to hospitality to the artists as and when it becomes necessary.
Smt. Supriya Raghunathan has been a member of the Nadasurabhi executive committee for more than a decade. She has a rich musical background which she enhances by learning Carnatic music from leading artists through Nadasurabhi and other channels, when opportunities present themselves. She also serves in the executive committees of other social service organisations in Bangalore. She extends all possible help to Nadasurabhi during the conduct of concerts.
Dr. Arpana Iyengar is a Professor and senior consultant in Pediatric nephrology at the St.John's Medical College, Koramangala, Bangalore. She is deeply interested in Carnatic music. She has trained under senior gurus. She has also attended high level music courses held by several leading vidwans ad vidushis.