Shadja Kala Kendra Trust ®

Beginning 

All forms of Indian Music begin with the note “Shadja” (Sa). In music, ‘Shadja’ is the most important swara. “Shadja Kala Kendra” gets its name from this swara. The main aim of Shadja is to promote and teach Classical Music, along with music-oriented forms like Katha-Keerthan. Our institution is proud of the fact that it has been contributing to the field of music.

It was on September 11th, 2011 in Malleswaram, Bangalore that our dream took shape with the co-operation of a famous industrialist and Hari Guru Devotee, Sri. Chempi Umesha Venkatesha Bhat, and Shadja Kala Kendra was established. The stalwart of Harikatha form, Santa Bhadragiri Achyuta Das-ji, and Gwalior-Kirana Gharana’s most acclaimed singer Pt. Vinayak Torvi-ji inaugurated this institution and blessed us. 

Many renowned artists, philosophical gurus, and saints have visited, blessed, and encouraged this institution. Among them are the President of ‘Sri Ramakrishna Math’ Mangalore Swami Jitakamananda-ji, Swami Omkarananda-ji of Badarikaashrama, nation’s celebrated singers such as Vid. Lalita. J. Rao, Padmashri Pt. Ullas Kashalkar, Pt. Ganapathi Bhat Hasanagi, Pt. Parameshwara Hegde, famous tabla artists Pt. Gourang Kodikal, Pt. Ravindra Yavagal, Pt. Ashish Sengupta, Dr A. H. Ramrao of National College, Mysore. V. Subrahmanya, well-known Haridasa Bhadragiri Sri Sarvottama Dasa, and many other Harikatha artists and musicians who have whole-heartedly blessed this institution.

Shadja Kala Kendra is working tirelessly towards its vision:

• Providing basic and advanced teaching in Hindustani Classical Music

• Organising workshops, conferences, lecture cum demonstrations in Hindustani Classical Music and Katha Keertan.

• Research and publishing of books on Hindustani Classical Music and Katha Keertan

• Maintaining a vast library, with a wide collection of books and cassettes. 

• Developing and nurturing the interest of people in villages towards Classical Music, Fine Art, Harikatha and Bhajans.

Classes

Shadja Academy of Music offers classes in Hindustani Classical Vocal Classes (Basic and Advanced), Tabla, and Flute. For the past 10 years, many students have benefitted from the one-to-one teaching method of the academy. Shadja wants to continue the ‘Guru Shishya’ tradition and teach music through that tradition.

Workshops

Shadja has been arranging workshops, Lecture cum demonstrations and seminars over last ten years. Students can obtain a higher level musical experience through these activities. Stalwarts of music have shared their vast experience, as part of Shadja. 

• Workshops by Vidushi Lalit J Rao, Pt Ashis Sengupta and Dr. Dattatreya Velankar

• Lecture cum Demonstration by Pt Vinayak Torvi

• National Seminar on Kathakeertan at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bangalore 

Concerts 

Shadja has been organizing students’ baithak every two months to give students an opportunity to present their talent and gain experience in performing on stage.

‘Achyutshri National Award’

Santa Bhadragiri Achyutdas is a legendary Haridasa who has made his mark as a trend setter in the field of art. He has dedicated his life to spread and propagate Kathakeertan. Everyone remembers him as a great performer, a Katha Keertan writer and an able Guru who led his life like a saint.  

Shadja Kala Kendra Trust is celebrating an annual Keertan Vaibhav programme in memory of legendary Santa Bhadragiri Achyutadas. Shadja is felicitating two Keertankars with Rashtriya Puraskar ‘Achyutashri’ award for their yeoman service in the field of Katha Keertan. Over the last three years, Shadja has proudly presented the ‘Achyutshri’ award to Sri Dharmiklal Pandya from Vadodara (Gujarat), Sri Polali Jagadishdas from Mangalore, Sri Simhachala Shastri from Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Sri Lakshmandas from Tumkur, and Smt Subadhra Parthsarathi from Mysore. 

Towards Society 

Felicitations 

Shadja Kala Kendra Trust had arranged a unique felicitation program on the occasion of its 5th anniversary. To recognize the contributions of people who work in music ‘behind the scene’ in activities like recording, printing, musical instruments’ repair etc, Shadja had felicitated five people, who have served the field of music for decades and have helped musicians excel in their art. 

Helping Hand 

Shadja Kala Kendra Trust has come forward to stand with artists who are going through difficulties in their lives during pandemics and other natural disasters. The Trust supported many Harikatha artistes during the Covid pandemic of 2020. 

Shadja Kala Kendra’s Publications

Hindustani Classical Music 

• Kahata Gurudas (A Collection of Pt Vinayak Torviji’s compositions with CD)

• Sangeet Mala Part 1, 2 and 3 

• Swami Vivekananda’s contributions to Indian Classical Music – Surmani Dattatreya Velankar

• Hindustani Sangeetha Praveshika – Surmani Dattatreya Velankar

Kathakeertan 

• Srimadbhagavata Pravachana – Keerthanaacharya Lakshmanadas Velankar

• Santa Darshana – Keerthanaacharya Lakshmanadas Velankar

• Katha-Keerthana (Ramayana’s ten Hari Kathas) –Lakshmanadas Velankar

• Harikatha - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda

• Jeevana Sandhya Sangama – A souvenir on the occasion of 75th Birthday of  Keerthanaacharya Lakshmanadas Velankar

• Katha Keertan An Introduction – Surmani Dattatreya Velankar

CDs 

• Pehli Dhun part 1 – Aditya Udupa & Ajit Subrahmanian

• Pehli Dhun part 2 – Amrutha  Gulvady & Sparsha RK

• Pehli Dhun part 3 – Keerthan Sai Ekbote

• Pehli Dhun part 4 – Sadhika Hiremath

• Pehli Dhun part 5 – Gurusampath R & Vinayak S

• Pehli Dhun part 6 – Devika Torvi & Sohini Torvi

• Pehli Dhun Part 7 – Ayush Sunil 

• Shivasharaneyara vachanagalu by students of Shadja Kala Kendra

• Smarane – Kannada devotional songs by Smt Souwmya Sandeep 

• Vachanamale by Medha Hiremath and Sadhika Hiremath 

• Pravruddhi – Hindustani Classical Vocal by Aditya Udupa

• Bhavitavya – Hindustani Classical Vocal by Ajit K Subrahmanian

• Amar-Sneh – Hindustani Classical Vocal by Dr. Rohini Srivathsa

• Divine Trio – Kathakeertans Devi Sakshatkara Ramakrishna Paramahamsa – Vidwan Sri Shankar Bhat Unchalli

• Maa Sharada – Surmani Dattatreya Velankar

• Swami Vivekananda – Vidwan Sri S.P. Gurudas

• Deva Majha Mi Devacha – Marathi Abhang by Surmani Dattatreya Velankar

• Pranama Deva Gururaya – Classical Bhajans by Vandya Bhat

Trustees

• Keertanacharya Lakshmandas Velankar

•  Sri Narendra Udupa

• Sri Srinath Bidare

• Sri Ravi Anantaramaiah

• Sri Dattatreya Velankar

Advisors

• Dr. Rohini Srivathsa

• Sri Manohar Gokhale

• Sri Kishoredatta Banavar

• Sri Prashant Damle

• Sri Gurusampath Ragothaman 

• Sri Srikanth Hunasavadi