VMDA celebrates its Founder’s Day
By Gk Prasad (Rambabu)
The Visakha Music and Dance Academy(VMDA) popularly known as ‘Kalabharati’ celebrated its Founder’s day on 3rd of March,2018 in remembrance of its founder, Susarla Surya Bhagvat Sankara Sastry, and his efforts in establishing the organization. VMDA currently caters to all sectors of artists across the country transforming as a platform to the art fraternity, becoming as a house hold name for art and cultural events.
VMDA organized the event, inviting popular writer, actor and producer, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao as the Chief Guest of the event. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Maruthi Rao said that, “With the existence of ‘Kalabharati’ several art forms are finding a venue to perform and organizers are able to invite stalwarts from various parts of the country”. He also mentioned that, “Enormous and dedicated services being rendered by President, C.S.N. Raju, and Honorable Secretary, Gummuluri Rambabu of the trust, are worth rewarding”. Further, he opined that, ‘If S.S.B.Sastry, had not with his foresightedness obtained this plot of site from the VUDA authorities for this specific purpose, currently we would not have been enjoying the fruits of the establishment’. ‘Without such an establishment, it would have been a tough task for Visakhapatnam to stand as a hub for cultural activities, which is currently representing as the ‘Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh.’
Addressing to the gathering, the Guest of Honor, Susarla Rama Gopal, the grandson of the founder and son of founder Secretary S. Gopala Sastry said that, “He was fortunate to be born in such a great family and assured that he would serve and support to the cause in remembrance of S.S.B. Sastry. He also said, “Tathagaru was a staunch devotee of Lord Sri Rama and Saint Tyagaraja” remembering his inclination towards arts and culture.
As a traditional practice of honoring upcoming artists from various categories of music, dance and theatre arts with awards and felicitations, VMDA gave away “Upcoming Artist Talent Awards, 2018” to artists in various categories as mentioned below:
In the vocal category, Modumuri Sruthi Ranjani, from Vijayawada received the award sponsored by T. Rajeswaran in memory of LSRK Krishna Sastry. The Vizag Sisters- Nallamchakravartula Sai Praneetha and Sai Santhoshi, received the award in vocal category, sponsored by Garimella Charitable Trust. In the dance category, Aithangini Mithila from Vizag, received the award sponsored by Dr. Sriram Sonti, UDA in their parents memory in Dance. In the violin category, V. V. V. Mahesh Kumar from Kakinada, was awarded which was sponsored by Late G.N. Murthy in Violin. In the mridamgam category, Kanduri Arvind from Vijayawada received the award which was sponsored by Garimella CharitableTrust. In the veena category, R.S. Vidya Madhuri from Vizianagaram has received the award which was sponsored by Dr. R. Madhuri Devi in memory of her mother & Guru Smt. Vijaya Lakshmi. In the flute category, Ch. Hemanth Krishna from Nellore, received the award which was sponsored by Garimella Charitable Trust in Flute .In the theater arts category, Rithis Kumar from Vizag, a 7 year old child who is a born gifted artist received this award which was sponsored by VMDA.
The event concluded on a happy note encouraging all the awardees to strive and contribute to the world of arts.
