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Gandharva Gamaka School Inaugurated in Dubai

As a significant step in carrying forward the illustrious disciple tradition of Gamaka Gandharva Padma Shri Hoshahalli Keshava Murthy, the Gandharva Gamaka School was formally inaugurated in Dubai on Sunday, 1 February 2026, at Al Qusais, in a grand and culturally vibrant atmosphere.

The programme commenced with an auspicious invocation rendered by the students of the Gandharva Gamaka School. This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and floral tributes offered to the portraits of Mahakavi Kumaravyasa and Padma Shri Hoshahalli Keshava Murthy, symbolically marking the official inauguration.

In her introductory address, Mrs. Revathi Chidambar, Director and Teacher of the Gandharva Gamaka School, Dubai, stated that the Gamaka school envisioned by Padma Shri Keshava Murthy has been functioning successfully across Karnataka, and extending its presence overseas is a matter of immense joy and pride. She emphasized that the objective of establishing the school in Dubai is to enable Non-Resident Kannadigas to access the wisdom, cultural depth, and intellectual richness inherent in the ancient art of Gamaka. She expressed her hope that Gamaka would transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries and reach art enthusiasts across the world.

The programme was formally inaugurated by Mr. Mohan Narasimha Murthy, social worker, who officially launched the Gandharva Gamaka School, Dubai, and conveyed his best wishes for its success.

The chief guest, Dr. Vijay Gujjar, a renowned spiritual and religious leader based in Dubai, expressed his happiness at witnessing the growth of Kannada art and culture abroad. He remarked that establishing a school dedicated to the ancient and unique art form of Gamaka in a foreign land is truly commendable and a matter of great pride.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Shashidhar Nagarajappa, President of Karnataka Sangha Dubai and Kannada Patashala Dubai, highlighted the responsibility of parents in passing on language, culture, and art to the next generation. He observed that formal education alone is insufficient and that children must be nurtured in a culturally enriching environment. He expressed happiness that Kannada-speaking families in Dubai now have meaningful cultural opportunities for their children and assured full support from Kannada Patashala Dubai for Gamaka learning and performances.

Renowned Gamaka artist Mr. Prasad Bharadwaj, who travelled from Karnataka, was felicitated on the occasion for his extraordinary achievement of performing 24 hours of continuous Gamaka, earning recognition from the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records.

Also honoured on the dais was Mr. M. C. Prakash, an eminent educationist, multilingual scholar, and acclaimed Gamaka commentator, who had specially arrived from Karnataka for the event.

The programme was presided over by senior classical musician Vidushi Suma Narayan, who, in her presidential address, elaborated on the Gamaka tradition, the Champu poetry prevalent in Kannada literature, and its distinctive presentation combining raga and emotional depth. She fondly recalled the immense contribution, scholarship, and dedication of the late Padma Shri Hoshahalli Keshava Murthy in popularising Gamaka at the national level.

The entire programme was gracefully compered by Arathi Adiga. The event was successfully organised by Subramanya, Ravi Hirisave, Akshatha, and the Gandharva Gamaka School team. The inauguration ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mrs. Lakshmi Nataraj.

Overall, the inauguration of the Gandharva Gamaka School, Dubai, stood as a landmark event that reaffirmed the significance of Gamaka art and strengthened the presence of Kannada cultural heritage beyond India.

Following the inaugural ceremony, a two-hour Gamaka vachana presentation based on the narrative “Shri Krishna Sarathya” enthralled the audience. While Revathi Chidambar and Prasad Bharadwaj rendered the Gamaka with melodious precision, M. C. Prakash enriched the presentation with vivid, insightful, and engaging explanations, leaving the audience spellbound.