Seetharama Sarma B

🪔 About

Sri Bhagavathula Seetarama Sarma, a distinguished figure in Indian classical music and dance, was a renowned musician, composer, nattuvanar, and teacher. He passed away on December 10, 2017, at approximately 80 years of age, while performing as a nattuvanar at an arangetram in Bangalore. Sarma was recognized as an “A” grade musician by All India Radio-Madras for both light and classical music, and his musical scores garnered widespread acclaim. His extensive career included 23 years of service at Kalakshetra, a prominent institution for Indian classical arts. During his tenure, he served as a concert musician and conductor of the ballet troupe, and notably composed several ballets for Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, including “Meenakshi Kalyanam” in Tamil, and “Ajamailopakyanam” and “Kurmavataram” in Sanskrit. He was a disciple of Rukmini Devi, a revered Bharatanatyam guru. In 1961, he composed and produced the dance drama “The Song of Harvest” for a summer drama festival in New Delhi. His compositions also extended to musical operas for All India Radio. Sri Sarma's international collaborations included working with the world-renowned ballet choreographer Maurice Bejart in Paris in 1989, in connection with the 200th-year anniversary of the French Revolution. He founded and successfully established the Kalapeetham School, with branches in India, the U.S.A., and Singapore, dedicated to producing accomplished graduates in both music and dance. He also composed and choreographed “RITU,” which was presented by Kalapeetham students. Throughout his illustrious career, Sri Seetarama Sarma received numerous accolades. He was awarded the title 'Sangeetagna' by Dhananjayans Bharatakalanjali, Chennai, in the 1970s. Other honors include the TDK award from the Music Academy of Chennai in 2007, the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Asthana Vidwan, the Telugu Gaana Nrithya Rachana Kalavidha Rathna award from the Telugu Brahma Maha Sabha in Chennai, and the Ugaadi Puraskar award. His teaching legacy includes students like Smt Vidhya Subramanian, who studied Nattuvangam under him at Kalapeetham. He primarily resided in Chennai, India. Awards & Honours: Sangeetagna, TDK award (2007), Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Asthana Vidwan, Telugu Gaana Nrithya Rachana Kalavidha Rathna award, Ugaadi Puraskar award.