Sitar Rama Rao Utsav to be held in Bengaluru on November 30

Sitar Rama Rao Utsav to be held in Bengaluru on November 30

The first edition of Sitar Rama Rao Utsav will be held in Bengaluru on November 30. “The event celebrates the legacy and the contribution of my father, NR Rama Rao to the world of classical music,” says sitarist Shubhendra Rao.

Speaking from over phone from Delhi, Shubhendra continues, “I plan to make it an annual event and institute an award in my father’s name, which we plan to give to senior musicians and to those who have contributed to music. We also plan to start a scholarship for young musicians so that they can pursue classical music.”

“My father passed away 20 years ago and I have been thinking of initiating something in his memory. I was busy with my life and music to start anything earlier. Everything has come together now and here we are organising the very first Utsav in my father’s name.”

Shubhendra, like his father is trained under legendary sitarist, Pandit Ravi Shankar. Rama Rao was associated with Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan for over two decades and an empanelled artist of ICCR. Rama Rao performed all over the world and is recognised for his contribution to popularising sitar and North Indian music in Karnataka. Rama Rao was honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the prestigious T Chowdiah Award.

Born in Mysuru, Shubhendra grew up in Bengaluru and moved to Delhi when he turned 18 to learn under Ravi Shankar. “I am fortunate to be associated with guruji (Ravi Shankar) and lucky to be born to my parents as they introduced me to the world of music.”

In their home, with the images of deities, they also had a photo of Ravi Shankar, Shubhendra says. “He was worshipped for his music and as our guru, is all pervading. In the world of music my father is called ‘Ram bhakt Hanuman, Ravi bhakt Rao’, comparing the love between Lord Ram and Hanuman to the regard he had for Ravi Shankar.”

Rama Rao, was one of Ravi Shankar’s closest students, Shubhendra says. “Guruji reciprocated his love. In fact, I am even named after guruji’s son, Shubendra.”