 EventsJanuary 13, 2008:On this day Ranga and devotees celebrated the annual ‘Thuruppavai’ festival at Sri Meenakshi Temple, Houston. As done every year Goddess Sri Andal’s thirty ‘Thiruppavai’ hymns and Her ten “Varanamayiram’ hymns composed to melodious music were vocally recited by Ranga, her sister Indira and friend Laxmi, with Ranga simultaneously playing them on the Veena.. The assembled devotees happily participated in the proceedings. It was an atmosphere of total bliss for all. The function was concluded with a grand “Sri Godha (Sri Andal) Kalyana Uthsavam’ followed by sumptuous lunch prepared by devotees themselves for the entire gathering... May 28, 2007As they usually do during their visit to India Ranga along with her husband
Narayanan visited Shirdi for dharshan of Sri Sai Maharaj . They were not aware
that this was the “Adhik Maas’ – the holiest month (occuring once every three
years) of celebrations at Sri Saibaba’s
temple. With His grace Ranga had the coveted opportunity to play on the Temple
Veena at the special venue. (see
picture). August 19, 2006:Deepa Mungara, a student trained by Ranga Narayanan in the Veena Vidhya School gave her solo debut Sarasvathi Veena concert on August 19, 2006 (see picture). This concert was given to a packed audience in the Madras Pavilion banquet hall.. Present fin the hall were several local musicians including her teacher besides several music lovers. Percussion accompaniment was provided by Srinivas Eyyunni who played on the Tabla.. Deepa’s concert included compositions of St. Thyagaraja, Sri Annamacharya and Sri Purandharadasa. Deepa chose to commence her concert with Sri Purandharadasa’s “Gajavadhna’ and played as the center piece of her concert St. Thygaraja’s composition ‘Nagumomu’, a melodious and rhythmic creation. . After rendering Sri Annamayya’s soulful composition ‘Sriman Narayana’ and a few other pieces Deepa concluded the concert with an immortal ‘sloka’ from Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Deepa’s play on this day exhibited the rigorous training imparted to her and her inherent interest and talent in playing the ancient melodious instrument of India. Srinivas’s support on the ‘Tabla’ was adroit and added beauty to the concert The concert earned the praise of the knowledgeable audience. May 06, 2006:On this day a Veena concert was given by Ranga Narayanan (see picture) at the Kumon West U center hall in Houston. This concert was a speciality event in that the entire repertoire included only popular classical compositions in Tamil. Featured in the concert were compositions of famous composers such as Sri Oothukadu Venkatasubba Iyer, Sri Periasamy Thooran, Sri Papanasam Sivan, Poet Sri Subramania Bharathi and Sri Kalki Krishnamurthy. The centrtal piece of the concert was a 'Raga-Thana Mala ' featuring five 'ragams' culminating in Sri Sivan's immortal composition 'Devi Neeye Thunai'. The concert elicited the appreciation of the knowledgeable audience. Ranga was accompanied on the Tabla By Sri Gvind Shetty of Houston. Shri Shetty's able percussion support on the Tabla added to the enjoyment of the listeners. See gallery for more pictures. November 24, 2005It was a memorable day for Ranga Narayanan and her family. |