Hyderabad to host three-day Carnatic flute tribute marking T R Mahalingam’s birth centenary
Kalasagaram will celebrate Carnatic flute maestro T R Mahalingam's birth centenary with three concerts in Hyderabad from October 30 to November 1. Featuring flautists Jayaprada Ramamurthy, B Vijayagopal and J B Sruthi Sagar, admission is free, with dinner provided.
Hyderabad: Marking the birth centenary of the legendary Carnatic flute maestro T.R. Mahalingam—reverently remembered by rasikas as ‘Mali’—premier cultural organisation Kalasagaram is hosting a three-day musical homage featuring three acclaimed flautists from October 30 to November 1.
Born in 1926 in Thiruvidaimarudur, Tamil Nadu, Mali was initially introduced to music by his maternal uncle Jalra Gopala Iyer, and secretly taught himself the flute at the age of five and making his concert debut in 1933 at just seven years old.
Over a storied career, Mali revolutionized Carnatic flute playing. By pioneering the innovative cross-fingering or ‘parrot clutch’ grip, redesigning the bamboo instrument with eight finger holes, and commanding astonishing breath control, he translated the delicate microtones, gamakas, and emotive depth of vocal music onto the wind instrument.
His historic concert partnerships with percussion maestro Palghat Mani Iyer and violin titans such as Mysore Chowdiah and Papa Venkataramaiah remain legendary.
Fiercely independent and indifferent to worldly honours, Mali famously declined the Padma Bhushan in 1986, holding fast to his belief that music must speak for itself.
On October 30, the series opens with Kala Ratna Dr. Jayaprada Ramamurthy, a senior disciple of flute stalwart Dr. N. Ramani, accompanied by Vidwan B. Pavan Singh on violin, Vidwan R.S.R. Srikanth on the mridangam, and Vidwan P.S. Mallikarjun on the ghatam. The concert will be held at Meenakshi Sundaram Hall, Shrinath Bhavan, West Marredpally.
October 31 will feature the virtuosity of renowned flautist Vidwan B. Vijayagopal. He will be joined on stage by Vidwan Komanduri Krishna on the violin, Vidwan Jayabhaskar on the mridangam, and Vidwan Shyamkumar on the kanjira.
On November 1, Kalasagaram will host the grand finale in association with Sangeetha Lahari at Club House, Aparna Sarovar Zenith in Nallagandla. This concert showcases flautist Vidwan J.B. Sruthi Sagar, supported by Vidwan R. Dinakar on the violin, Vidwan D.S.R. Murthy on the mridangam, and Vidwan Shyam Kumar on kanjira.
All concerts commence at 6 pm and admission is free to all with dinner served after each performance. Kalasagaram President Shankar Bala and General Secretary N. Ramamurthy invited music enthusiasts to attend in large numbers.
