Vedantha Sangeetha Parampare
G. Vedantha Iyengar
Sri Vendatha Iyengar’s love for education and music combined with his spirituality and desire to work for social causes resulted in the establishment of “Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira” to promote the fine art of Carnatic Music.
Sri G Vedantha Iyengar was an affable gentleman with a bright mind and a warm heart. He was a byword for integrity and discipline. He was a man of concern, humanity and commitment, and had a progressive outlook in everything he did. He carried enormous insight with all simplicity and grace. His personality demanded no concessions for, and no tolerance of any eccentricity or pride. He was everything to his children.
He was born to middle-class parents who were interested in spiritual education and Carnatic music. Sri Iyengar’s father, Sri Venkatha Varada Iyengar was a violinist. As a student of English literature, he was well versed in the language. He had the good fortune of becoming a favourite student of Prof. C R Reddy – Professor of English, Sri S Radhakrishnan (Former President of India) and Prof. A R Wadia – Professor of Philosophy.
After graduation, Sri Vedantha Iyengar worked as the Headmaster in Government Middle School at Doddaballapur and other places. Though he was offered the Sub-Registrar’s post, he opted for his primary love – education. He became very popular for conducting various extra-curricular activities for the students.
Besides working for cause of education and music, he worked for several social causes. Through contacts developed with the Government and with Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of Mysore under HH Late Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar, he was instrumental in commissioning several projects like the Maternity and Child welfare center Hospital and a Veterinary Hospital at Saligrama. He also inspired the renovation of the famous Sri Yoganarasimha Temple, where Sri Ramanujacharya stayed for several years in Melkote.
In recognition of his community and public service, besides his active participation in all aspects of primary and secondary education, HH Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar honoured him with the precious “Public Service Gold Medal” in the year 1949.
Public Service medal presented to Sri G. Vedntha Iyengar
G.V Ranganayakamma
Smt. G.V Ranganayakamma was the daughter of our founder and was a child prodigy. She started performing at a very tender age. Her very first performance was in Davangere, where, she grew up to teach music at the local Government school there. She joined the workforce at a very young age and supported the family financially. Being the sole breadwinner for the family, when she got transferred and came to Bangalore in the early 1950s, the family followed suit. It is here where the first chapter of Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira began to take shape. She also continued to teach at the institution and was a very sought after and respected artist in the Carnatic Music field as well. Being both a vainika and a vocalist, she would perform her concerts singing while playing the veena. She received ‘‘Karnataka Kalashree” in the year 1999-2000 at Ravindra Kalakshetra. She continued her work as the chief founder of SRLKM and attained sadgati in the year 2011.
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Gold Medal given to the G.V sisters after a concert by Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
G.V Neela
Vid. GV. Neela was the founder-principal of SRLKM. She was a proficient violinist and used to accompany her elder sister Vid.Ranganayakamma for her kutcheris. She has trained many students who have excelled in the music field. Neela along with her sister and brother have strived hard to make SRLKM a name to reckon with in the field of music. She has been recipient of many honours and awards and has been an inspiration for all with her single minded dedication. The sisters used to train the students
to give music ensemble in front of visiting foreign dignitaries and
government held functions. She was honoured by Sri Ramanuja Seva Trust with the title “Ramanuja Seva Sri” in the divine presence of His Holiness Sri Sri Ramapriya Mahadesikan. She was a passionate teacher and an integral part of developing the institution. She attained sadgati in the year 2017.
Gold medal presented to G.V sisters after a concert at Lalbagh during its centenary celebrations.
G.V Krishnaprasad
Mridangam Vid. G.V Krishna Prasad is synonymous with SRLKM. He used to teach mridangam atmandira premises and his students would give tala vadya kutcheris under his guidance in the early eighties. He worked for the Karnataka department of town planning and retired as the assitant director. He has also served as the secretary of Bangalore Gayana Samaja for a long time. He was trained in mridangam under T.K Vyapuri Devar, A. Ramachar, M.L Veerabhadrayya and many other eminent gurus. He secured the 1st rank in the Vidwat exam held in 1974. Chintalapalli Parampara Trust in association with Vedic Wellness University, Florida, USA conferred an honorary doctorate to Sri G.V. Krishna Prasad in recognition of his outstanding contribution to carnatic music. The award was presented by Yaduveer Krishna Datta Chamaraja Wadeyar on 19th May, 2019. He has been the back bone of the Kala Mandira and has worked tirelessly as an organizer and has brought the Kala Mandira to where it is now. His single-minded dedication and selfless service towards the cause of music was unmatched. He passed away on 13th May, 2023.
Other Musicians in the family
Daughter of G. Vedantha Iyengar
- Dr. G.V Vijayalakshmi – Veena
Smt. G.V Vijayalakshmi, a doctor by profession, was also the Chief Patron of Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira.
Grandchildren of Founder G. Vedantha Iyengar
- Mysore Sisters – Vid. G.S Kamala and Vid. G.S Rajalakshmi – Vocal
- Vid. Jayashree Varadarajan – Vocal
- Vid. G.S Ramanujan – Mridanga and Ghata
SRI RAMA LALITHA KALA MANDIRA 