Basavanagudi G Nataraj

Vidwan Basavanagudi G Nataraj (Born 25 August 1943 - Died 31 August 2011) was an eminent Indian Carnatic Classical Music VIOLINIST. Born to Shri G.N.Joshi & Smt. G.Rathnamma, his father Late Sri G.N.Joshi retired as Assistant Head Master from Arya Vaidya Shaala, Balepet. He was an ardent music fan. He was a very close associate of Dr. D.V. Gundappa and was one of the founder members of The Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs (Bangalore). His Mother Late. Smt. Rathnamma was a housewife. She belonged to a traditional family of Royal Priests. Her father was Rajapurohit Sri Kumara Shastry, who was in the Mysore Palace. Smt. Rathnamma was a good singer and equally adept lyricist. His Maternal Uncle Late. Sri. K.R.Seetharama Shastry was a very well known film personality. He was an acclaimed director, producer & a brilliant lyricist of Kannada Film Industry. With such a richly illustrious Musical & traditional background running in the family, it is quite evident that Music flowed in Sri Basavanagudi G.Nataraj’s blood. Sri G.Nataraj started learning Vocal in 1953 under Vidwan Shri H.K. Venkataramana Shastry at the age of 9. Later on started learning Violin under Vidwan Shri A.Veerabhadraiah in the year 1954. He continued Violin training under Vidwan Sri H.V.Krishnamurthy from 1955 spanning 8 years. Sri G.Nataraj started performing in 1957. Since then he had been giving Solo Performances in prestigious sabhas all over the country. His Solo performances were relayed in AIR and Doordarshan. He had accompanied many senior artists of the country. He had featured in many National Level Festivals. He was a most sought after ‘Violin Solo Artist’ of the country. In 1963, Sri G.Nataraj joined the Ramakrishna Mutt Mission as a Bramhachari to know in depth the way of spiritual life. He was given the name ‘Bramhachari Durgachaitanya Maharaj’. He stayed in the Mutt as an inmate doing spiritual practice and social service. After 9 years of spiritual education and study, he came out in 1971 to lead the life of ‘Grihasthaashrama’. This aspect of spiritual enlightenment was a divine force that guided him to lead a successful career as a Professional Musician. His wife Smt. N.Lakshmi is a retired employee from the Syndicate Bank. His daughter Smt.Sunitha Ramabhadran is a Project manager in SEIMENS and a qualified Vocalist and Violinist. His son Sri Amrit Nataraj is a Khanjira Artiste & Percussionist of International Fame. Shri G.Nataraj , apart from his guru s ‘s style, followed the impeccable style of ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ Sri Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu Garu. His presentation were filled with rich sound, clarity & 'Shruthi Shuddham'. He had a unique style of rendition that blended the class with mass. His style was simple yet different, attractive and experimental. He had accompanied a lot of Hindusthani concerts too. He drew inspiration from the Carnatic, Hindustani, Western & Folk styles of Music and tried to adapt them in his playing. He had gained acclamation from critics & audiences. He attributed these as blessings of his parents, his Guru s, his elders and lord almighty for giving fruits to his ‘Saadhana’. He founded ‘SRI RAMAKRISHNA SANGEETHA VIDYALAYA’ in 1971. Since then he had been training several students in Violin. Some of his famous disciples are Smt.Sunitha Ramabhadran, Sri B.U.Ganesh Prasad, Sri Balu Raghuram (UK) & many others. Many of his students have taken up the Music Exams conducted by The Karnataka State Secondary Education Board and have come out with excellent results. His students are performing in concerts too. He had to his credit “Special Multi Violin” programmes where in he used to direct his disciples to perform on stage. Shri G.Nataraj was a disciplinary. He was a very strict teacher. His main motto to his students was "Punctuality, Regularity & Sincerity". He was very concerned about his students progress in music & otherwise. He taught several students of various caste & creed. His only aim is to serve for the cause of music and contribute in his own way. Sri G.Nataraj was a very encouraging person. He used to encourage any upcoming artist and make him/her play with him in his concerts. Many artists who have made a mark in the field today were initially encouraged him to a great extent. He was felicitated by prestigious oragnizations like Sri Vidya Ganapathi Seva Samithi (Dodda Ganesha Temple, Basavanagudi) in the year 1996, Sri Dattathreye Kala Samskruthika Kendra and Sri Ramachandra Sangitha Kala Shaale in the year 1998, Sri Durga Parameshwari Nritya Niketan ® (V.V.Puram, Bangalore) in the year 1999, Laya Surabhi Bangalore in the year 1999, Sri Ayyanar College of Music ® Bangalore in the year 1999, Sri Maathru Devi Vishwa Shanthi Ashram in the year 2000, Sri Thyagaraja Sangitha Sabha Charities Trust® Mysore, in the year 2000, Sri Shankara Seva Samithi Tumkur in the year 2000, Sri Rishi Cultural Educational Centre® Bangalore in the year 2001, Raaga Sannidhi Bangalore in the year 2001, Gaana Bhaarathi Mysore in the year 2001,the Syndicate Bank in the year 2002, Sri Amara Bharathi Kalaa Vrinda in the year 2007, Sri Guru Sai Samskruthika Kala Samsthe in the year 2008, Mulukanadu Mahasangha Mysore in the year 2008, Sri Rama Temple Trust (Amruthahalli) Bangalore in the year 2008 & Guru Smruthi Kala Kendra in year 2010.