Sankaram 2004
This was the first ever event of its kind featuring congregational singing by 5000 school children from about 50 schools, held at the University Centenary auditorium, Chennai. The function was presided by the former President of India Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam and Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. The project was jointly presented by Sankara Health Centre, Pammal, Chennai and Mudhra. Dr.Radha Bhaskar trained the children. Earlier, a CD containing the songs to be sung by the children was recorded by Dr.Radha and selected children and this was circulated to all the participating schools. The respective music teachers trained the children and finally through a few grand rehearsals, the songs were perfected. The 5000 children gathered at the auditorium, sang in perfect unison to the accompaniment of a grand orchestra.
April 2005
Mudhra organized its first summer music workshop in April 2005. About 25 children participated and they were trained by Dr.Radha Bhaskar and Chitra Krishnakumar. The children learnt slokas, bhajans and many interesting things about music. Valedictory function of course on was held on 30th April at Adi Sankara Hall, Chinmaya Heritage Centre, Chennai. The Chief Guests were Veena vidushi E. Gayathri & music composer L. Krishnan and they distributed gifts and certificates to the children. Vote of thanks was proposed by Mudhra Bhaskar.
Press Review
Sep 2005
A One –Day workshop on Understanding music, was conducted by Mudhra at Meenakshi College Auditorium, Chennai. This One day Workshop, exclusively for school children included a panel discussion on the importance of music in school education, group and solo presentation by various schools, music quiz competition, lecture demonstrations on the salient features of classical music and learning methodologies, games in music and also practical teaching of a few songs to children. The workshop aimed at making children understand the greatness of Indian classical music and motivate them to learn it.
The workshop was inaugurated by Vani Jairam and A.Natarajan. About 500 children from various schools participated. There was a special lecture on music by renowned musicologist Dr.SAK Durga. Mr.N.Balasubramaniam distributed the prizes to the children.
Press Review
A music workshop for school children was held from 17th to 30th April 2006 at Ramakrishna Mission School with 35 children taking part. The children were taught devotional song and slokas and they presented it in a valedictory programme held at the RKM Auditorium. Dr.Radha Bhaskar, director of the workshop, welcomed the gathering and Mudhra Bhaskar proposed the vote of thanks. B.RKumar who was the chief guest and distributed the certificates praised the children for their efforts.
Press Review
Group singing by Children
Dec 2006
A group singing by school children, trained by Dr.Radha Bhaskar and Smt Alamelu ( music teacher, Sankara School, Tambaram) was held at the University Centenary auditorium on 4th December2006. About 100 children joined together in singing bhajans and devotional songs.the programme was held under the auspices of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Chennapuri Bhaktha Samajam and coordinated by Mudhra.
Press Review
TA two days workshop was held for the children of TI Cycles school in Chennai. About 300 children participated and Dr.Radha Bhaskar took them on a beautiful journey into the world of music. She also taught them a few songs which the children sang with great enthusiasm.
June 2007
In June 2007, a special theater workshop was conducted by Mudhra and eminent theatre personalities Gnani and Jayachandran taught the children the basics of acting. They were then made to enact a story conceived by the children themselves. The parents and other guests witnessed the final output of the workshop which was presented in the form of a play enacted bythe children. Lunch and snacks was provided to all the children.
Press Review
Feb 2008
Under the initiative of District Chairperson for Fine Arts Lion, Mudhra Bhaskar the first Congregational Singing Programme was conducted at Puliyur Government Higher Secondary School, Kodambakkam on 20th Bhaskar said that this project has been started with a motto of taking music, dance and theatre to Government and Corporation schools. He added that his cultural organization Mudhra will work continuously and kindle the talents in these schools in fine arts.
As a first step, a congregational singing by children was conducted in which noted musician and musicologist Dr.Radha Bhaskar taught the 500 plus children two songs – “Shanti nilavavendum” and “Unadhu naamam solla solla.” It was amazing how the children responded with enthusiasm and sang with complete involvement. It was truly heartening to see he joy and happiness on the faces of the children while they were singing the songs. Earlier, the lyrics of the songs were circulated to all the children for easy learning.
Other dignitaries present for the function were DG Councilor Lion G.Srinivasan, Region Chairpersons Lion P.T.Murthy and Lion Jayasree Mohansundaram, Zone Chairperson Lion Satishkumar and the President of Porur Club Lion Ramakrishnan.
Sep 2008
Ln.Mudhra Bhaskar, District Chairperson and Dr. Radha Bhaskar, musician and musicologist conducted a Group Singing Training programme at Nungambakkam Corporation Girls High School and taught the children a few songs. About 450 girls participated. Lion Mahendra kumar ( President, Lions Club of Avishkar), Lion P.T.Murthy , Lion K.Nagarajan( District Chairperson, Activities), and many other Lion members graced the occasion. All of them unanimously expressed their appreciation and felt that this project should be carried out on a large scale so that more children could be benefited by it.
Press Review
January 2010
A workshop was conducted at the Vedavalli Vidyalaya, walajapet and about 500 children participated. Dr.Radha BHaskar explained various interesting aspects of music to the children and also sang many popular songs which the children enjoyed very much.
