The symbolism of rivers has been used abundantly in poetry, music and storytelling. Rivers depict the entire circle of life and are revered as nature’s wonders. In the Indian context, they are worshipped and humanised to tell moving stories of civilizations. However, through the generations, excessive use of these water bodies has led to their erosion and contamination.

Padma Narayanaswamy, wife of Sangeeta Kalanidhi K.V. Narayanaswamy (KVN) is a distinguished Carnatic musician. She turned 80 in April this year. While much of her life was devoted to her late husband KVN, and she has remained in the background, her musical achievements and contributions as a guru are mostly unknown.

As part of International Women’s Day celebrations, ‘Veena’ Doreswamy Iyengar Memorial Trust had organised a three-day music festival 6 to 8 March in Bengaluru, featuring eminent women vocalists. The festival was inaugurated by the Jeeyar of the Yathiraj Mutt, who also extended his blessings to the festival by providing use of the auditorium.

Among the various compositions notated in the Sangeeta Sampradaya Pradarsini, the ragamalikas are interesting and intriguing. Among the composers belonging to the family of Ramaswami Dikshitar, Subbarama Dikshitar has employed this musical form extensively.

When we are gratefully celebrating the birth centenary of vidwans B.V. Raman and B.V. Lakshmanan, I join the host of their fortunate disciples in paying my humble pranams to them. I was privileged to be a student of B.V. Lakshmanan for about five years when I was doing my B.A., followed by two years of Masters in Music.