The music of Ramanavami fills the city again as the 119-year-old Rama Bhaktha Sabha, the oldest festival banner in Bengaluru, flagged off its annual programme of seasonal music and discourses. The festival which began on March 30, will conclude on April 7. “Our Ramothsava generally culminates with Ramanavami, having begun during Ugadi itself,” says the current Sabha president CV Venkatesh.
The Sabha took root in Bethamangala, Kolar district and subsequently, found its way to Bengaluru. “We haven’t missed a single, weekly Saturday bhajan in all these years,” says Venkatesh, who has been helming the Sabha’s activities and yearly Ramothsava for more than three decades.
The Rama Bhaktha Sabha was founded by CV Subba Rao, a scholarly man who was a connoisseur of music and deeply religious. His passion drove him to keep the melodies and discourses going, even if he had to painstakingly arrange for funds. “In the early 1900s, my grandfather, known as compounder CV Subba Rao, would request patients to contribute towards the Sabha, but never accepted a fee for his services,” says Venkatesh.
Since Subba Rao’s life mission was to have the Ramothsava present both spiritual and classical melodies, he was particular the Mandali followed the same principles. “He had taken a vow from my father CS Vasudev Rao that the Mandali would be run with an undercurrent of devotion, and a good measure of cultural arts from Karnataka,” explains Venkatesh, recalling his father’s efforts in following Subba Rao’s wishes. “My father was also advised to keep aside his salary for a month for this purpose.”
The Rama Bhakta Sabha programme commenced with Devaranama and Namasankeerthane, around 118 years ago, and gradually came to include all cultural arts, including Carnatic and Hindustani music.
“There were days when devotional stalwarts such as Madhav Das and Prahladachar participated in our Saturday bhajans too,” says Venkatesh.
He adds, “This year, our 119th edition will feature a diverse programme — Pravachana experts such as Kalhapura Pavamanachar, Shrihari Valvekar Acharya, Kheda Vedavyasacharya and Ayanoor Madhusudhanachar will be participating. While Ramavittalachar would be speaking on Vadirajathirtharu, a harikatha on ‘Rukmini Kalyana’ would be presented by Seetaram Munikoti, as well as a dasavani by Mysore Ramachandrachar.
A yakshagana performance by the Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali, as well as devotional songs by Pranesh P Bharadwaj and dasagana by Sameerachar and party, will also be presented.
In the vocal section, audiences can expect classical concerts by Rachana Sharma, Kumari Varada Kulkarni, Sheshaprasad and Medha Vidyabhushan.
Daughter of renowned vocalist Vidyabhushana, Medha who is equally busy as a playback singer and on Carnatic platforms, says to sing under the Rama Bhaktha Sabha banner is to be part of a legacy woven with devotion and music. “For me, this opportunity is a blessing to contribute to a tradition deeply rooted in divinity — a testament to the power of faith and love for melody that the past generations have built through their dedication.”
Rama Bhaktha Sabha is at Srikanteshwara Bhavana, 5th cross, Malleswaram. Entry free. Sabha schedule on social media. Call 94491 63364 for details
Published – April 01, 2025 08:50 pm IST
