Founded by Dr.Bala Tripura Sundari, a doctorate in English Literature along with a Carnatic Music diploma with a distinction in Andhra University, this school is aimed at promoting Carnatic Music while nurturing a fine sense of appreciation of other classical forms of music. The unique character of this school lies in a rare blend of theoretical inputs effectively complemented by practical knowled
ge. It offers exclusive training in Carnatic Classical vocal, semi-classical, devotional music along with light music compositions in a student-friendly approach. The institution sends students for certification examinations as well. Her students have secured distinction and merit in Potti Sriramulu University (Hyderabad) ,Sri Venkateshwara University (SVU), Tirupati and Sri Padmavati University. About the Guru:
Dr. Bala Donepudi hails from a music family got her initial training from her mother Smt.Donepudi Venkata Subbamma and later got advanced training under renowned music teacher H.M.Vaidyalingam Bhagavatar, son of legendary musician and composer Harisekanallur Muttaiah Bhagavatar. Her singing career began at a tender age of 15 from which she was consistently performing on stage along with her sister T.Lakshmi Murthy under the name Donepudi Sisters. This talented duo performed extensively in many towns across Andhra Pradesh. They were awarded the prestigious A.P Sangeet Natak Academy award for their outstanding merit. Dr.Bala Donepudi is a popular AIR artiste and also performed in Doordarshan for various music-related programs. She is a graded composer for AIR and has the unique credit of bringing some of the almost obsolete and forgotten compositions of renowned composers such Annamacharya, Tumu Narasimha Dasu, and so on. The institute propagates this worthy culture among its students to carry on this musical legacy for generations to come. It also emphasizes clear diction of the Telugu language with sufficient rhetorical radiance. The linguistic nuances aesthetically blended with a soulful rendition is forte of this institution. The guru gives due importance for the realization and appreciation of musical potential at an individual level empowering each student with a fine sense of critical appreciation. The guru has also composed varnas and kritis in rare ragas such as Simhenendra Madhyamam (Vinaya Bhushana). Activities:
• The traditional musical event Thayagaraja Aradhana is celebrated annually during the month of January.
• International World Music Day is celebrated annually on June 21st providing a platform for different genres of music.
• Guru Pourami to honor the guru as a propagator of knowledge.
• Periodic evaluation of students in an intricate manner.
• Freestyle knowledge sharing about Carnatic Music and its theoretical details
• Also invite popular musical personalities to give talks on the nuances of Carnatic Music
Achivements:
• The music school has released various books such as Muttaiah Bhagavatar in the year 2015
• Organized various events featuring eminent artists such as Shri Vadali Phani Narayana (Veena), Arvind Bhargav (Mandolin) and many more
• In the name of Unheard Melodies, the institute has been throwing emphasis on rare compositions
Sri Raaga’s Exclusive Events:
Conducted “ Myriad Hues of Mohana” (2016) in Lamakaan that focused exclusively on the raaga for a period of three hours. The event was graced by exceptionally talented lyricist Shri Jonnavithula garu.
Also conducted Apoorva Raagavali- an exclusive event that focused on the workshop on Carnatic Music Theory in the year 2017 in Saptaparni. The workshop was followed by the guru’s concert along with an amazing ensemble featuring Shri Vadali Phani Narayana on veena and Shri Peri Thyagaraju on the violin.
Conducted Prathi Madhyamam-in the year 2018, a fantastic concert featuring the guru and her students dedicated to raagas that have the exclusively special note.The event was graced by popular film song lyricist Shri. Rama Jogayya Sastry garu.
Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the guru has been actively composing Ata Taala Varnas and kritis in the signature name “Bala”
Unheard Melodies- a unique concept on composers such as Muttaiah Bhagavatar are being uploaded in our YouTube Channel on a weekly basis.
The school also conducted interesting weekly talks in Clubhouse app where interested musical connoisseurs speak on the significance of a raaga and the popular compositions in the same with practical demonstration. Publications of Music Books
A musical treatise named Muttaiah Bhagavatar Kruti Mani Maala was released in March 2015 after a successful music competition of his compositions was conducted on the same day. Some of the eminent musical personalities such as Kollegal.R.Subhramanyam, Komanduri Sheshadri,Hyderabad Sisters graced the event.
Kriti Mani Maala: An exclusive authentic treatise of Shri Muttaiah Bhagavatar compositions in Telugu notation.
Bhakti Gaeya Kadambam: A unique compilation of Devotional gems of songs with notation.
Thyagaraja Ghanaraga Pancharatnamulu: This small booklet has included ‘Thyagaraja Ashtotra Puja’, Notation for ‘Sri Ganapathini Sevimparaare’, pancharatna kritis and a rare work of tribute of Muttaiah Bhagavatar.
Salalitha Raga Manjari: A boquet of light music compositions penned by Dr. Bala Tripura Sundari. Audio Content:
Madhurashtakam- a beautiful ode to Lord Krishna was recorded by the guru along with her students along with Ya Devi Sarvabhooteshu in Raaga Durga.
Sri Raaga has an exclusive music channel with 75 videos uploaded so far, the best series being the “Unheard Melodies”.
Sri Raaga Music School’s student Vikram made an exclusive dedication to lord Shiva named Om Mangalam in raaga Amrutavarshini.
The channel’s latest presentation “Aa Sariga.. Daanipa”- a rare pada varnam in Telugu composed in Mohana Raagam. Upcoming Activities:
• The rare compilation of yesteryear AIR music instruction series named Akasavani Sangeetha Siksha (from 80s-90s era) featuring rarest compositions such as Devi Navavarna Kritis with notation was done by the guru in manuscript format. Bala plans to release it as a book.
• The guru also plans to throw emphasis on the common myths relating to Carnatic Music and explain about the ragas and their exclusive treatment. Students of Sri Raaga:
The guru’s students have grown into successful music artists, teachers, writers and performers.
Her senior student Smt. Padmini Priyadarshini has been teaching Classical Music to students since July 2009 under the name ESS Aditya Music Academy.
Her student Smt. Tharangini Ramaraju has been training lot of enthusiastic students with her institute “Raaga Tharangini”. She has been training young and older students in Carnatic Music. She also holds an M.A from Padmavati University, Tirupati with outstanding merit.
Her student Navya Chittarvu has been an accomplished writer who interviewed Carnatic and Hindustani musicians and a senior correspondent for the Hindu and Score Magazine. She has interviewed various stalwarts in classical music such as Ranjani-Gayatri, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Jayteerth Mevundi, Anil Srinivasan, Guitar Prasanna, Shankar Mahadevan, Purbayan Chatterjee and many more. She is also a regular contributor to Sruti Magazine- an exclusive issue that focuses on Carnatic music for decades. Apart from music, she also covered Hyderabad Literary Fest and done some interesting book reviews.
Her student Vikram Dachepally has been actively working on promoting Carnatic Music, and owned an IIT coaching academy “Nine Education” and now owner of “Pythagoras Academy” that focuses exclusively on Intermediate Physics.
Her student Smt. Prathibha Valipe has been a regular singer in Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan, Dilsukhnagar every Thursday and also released a devotional album dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba. She is also an excellent bhajan singer and undergone Hindustani music training as well from Smt. Lalitha Kurulkar. She also owns an exclusive YouTube channel where she posts devotional compositions and a couple of albums to her credit.
Her student Archith Sonty is a freelance performer and owns an acoustic band named Aroha.
