With the grace and blessings of Pujya Gurudev, Pujya Guruji and Mukhkya Swami Swaroopananadaji, the fourth edition of Guna gaon mein was conducted successfully. It witnessed 300+ participants in the first round, 80 in the 2nd round and 33 finalists. This edition was 3rd in succession as an online event. The esteemed judges' panel comprised Vidwan Mysore Manjunathji, an acclaimed Carnatic violinist and Pt. Rupak Kulkarniji, a celebrated Hindustani flautist.
In her address, Dr. Sunita Grandhee, Dean of Academics from Chinmaya Vishwa Vidhyapeetha rightly pointed out that music competitions are not just external activities, but they promote one's internal growth too.
The 4 categories included participants ranging from 6 -12 years, 13-18 years, 19-35 years and 36+ years.
In the category 1 classical segment, Mysore Vasudevachar seemed to be the favourite composer of 3 out of 5 participants. In the light devotional category Purandaradasa's compositions were chosen by quite a few participants. It was heartening to see these young budding musicians handling ragas like Simendra Madhyamam and Nagaswaravali with ease and fervor.
Category 2 had 5 contestants each in the light devotional and classical segments. Here too,0 the youngsters effortlessly sang compositions in not so often heard ragas like Vagadeeshwari, Varali and Hemavati. Arya Abhisheki's soulful rendering of the abhang ‘Dhyana Laagale' won her second place in the devotional segment.
Category 3 classical music segment participants showed a lot of maturity and prowess in their renditions. Since only 3 participants were there in the fray, one first prize and a special prize were awarded. In the light devotional segment category, we were treated with compositions of Puranadaradasa, Annamacharya, Meerabai and Sant Kabir. Divine variety indeed!
Category 4- In this category too we could hear rarely heard composers' compositions (Veenai Kuppaiyar, K. Somu). This is very commendable because many unknown yet quality composers are introduced to the common man.
The judges, while lauding the performance of all participants, advised them to keep learning and practising, for music is a vast ocean and a single life time is not enough to master it. They also urged the participants to concentrate on alap and kalpana swara singing as they are integral parts of manodharma and originality.
This report is incomplete if Dr. Subha Jayant's compering is not mentioned. Her introduction to the participants was very endearing and encouraging. Her composed and calm personality added more colour to the entire event.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Smt. Pramodini Rao, Campus Director, CNBG Gurukula. She attributed the success of the event to the entire CNBG technical team and Ms. Shobha Iyer, who worked relentlessly for the past 3 months.
The finals video can be watched on the Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula YouTube channel here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-vbHJQa-Jk
Usha Sundaresan, Thane
