8, Agasthya Enclave,13th Main, Srinagar, BSK I Stage, Bengaluru 560050, Karnataka
Mobile : 9148484146
About Gamaka Parishath
Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishath, incepted in 1982, has been mainly responsible for sustaining the art of Gamaka. Presently, the Parishath has about 1500 life members.
For the last over four decades, the Parishath has been actively engaged in conducting Gamaka classes and organizing various stage performances and annual conferences and such other events.
The Parishath, with its registered and central office in Bengaluru, is managed by a team headed by an elected President, who will choose the other office bearers. As a State body, all the work related to gamaka propagation in different districts is carried out through a Representative system. At this time there are 34 representatives in 28 of the 31 districts in the State. There is also a Unit in Kasargodu District, in Kerala, represented by Sri Tekkekere Shankaranarayana Bhat. Efforts are on to identify suitable names to represent the Parishath and carry out its activities in the unrepresented districts too.
Of late, the activities of the Parishath such as training in Gamaka and organizing joint events have been extended globally. Some of the past students of Gamaka under the Parishath and other connoisseurs of Gamaka have formed a Forum named Gamaka Kala Vedike of North America.
The Parishath is managed by a Managing Committee, presently led by the President, assisted by a team comprising two Vice Presidents, Secretary, two Joint Secretaries, Treasurer. The Parishat also draws the experience of an Honorary President and an Advisor.
About Gamaka
Gamaka is an ancient art form, said to be dating back to the time of the Ramayana. Rishi Valmiki, apparently taught Lava and Kusha, the twin sons of Rama, the art of reciting Ramayana in the unique 'gamaka' style.
Gamaka is a traditional art unique to Karnataka. It involves rendering (vaachana) of the ancient Kannada poetry, setting it to a spectrum of classical ragas. Usually this rendering is accompanied by a commentary (vyakhyana), providing detailed commentary for each stanza.
In olden days, Gamakis formed a part of a king's court. Apart from this, they sang at temples, social celebrations, village gatherings, and every venue that offered an opportunity.
In those times this was quite a popular art form drawing hoardes of common people. The art was a draw for people of a variety of interests - music, literature, history, traditions, episodes, anecdotes, social values and so on. Over the time, this art saw a gradual decline, as man's life became more complex. However the art saw a revival in the 20th century.
The History of Revival
Kannada Sahitya Parishat, the prime institution responsible for preserving and promoting the Kannada Language, Literature and culture, took Gamaka under its umbrella - all thanks to the dedicated efforts of eminent literary persons like Prof. A.R. Krishna Shastry and Dr D.V. Gundappa.
In the meantime, in 1930, Sri M Raghavendra Rao, an ardent Gamaki, migrated from Mysore to Bangalore. Here, he, along with scholars like Sri Subodha Rama Rao and Sri Varadam Rama Rao, started presenting Gamaka programs in Kannada Sahitya Parishat and other places.
Around this time, Sri Rao came to be guided by the then President of the Sahitya Parishat, Dr Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, who encouraged Sri Rao and made him the Convenor of Gamaka Classes at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. With the involved support from stalwarts and scholars like Prof G Venkatasubbaiah, Sri M R Srinivasamurthy, Sri A N Murthi Rao and Masti, the art of Gamaka flourished well.
Initiated by Sri Raghavendra Rao, the idea of an independent institution for Gamaka took off. These efforts culminated in the inception of Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishat, on October 2, 1982. Sri G Narayana became the Founder President.
The Parishat started functioning under Sri G Narayana as President and Sri Raghavendra Rao as Vice President, supported by other leading scholars as the other members/office bearers of the Parishat.
Present Organisation
Furthering this organising efforts, the Parishat appointed various District Representatives in several districts and instituted District Units headed by the respective Representatives.
Today, the Parishat has a multi-level academic program whereby it structures syllabi, prescribes text books, holds classes, conducts examinations and issues Certificates. These classes today include both domestic and international students.
In a recent development, following intense efforts by the Parishat and its team of members, the Raichur University has introduced, in its degree course, a lesson on Gamaka. This should, hopefully, herald an era when Gamaka, as an art, gains recognition by many more universities.
Genesis and Growth
The year was 1930. Sri M Raghavendra Rao, an ardent Gamaki, migrated from Mysore to Bangalore. Here, in Bangalore, he along with scholars like Sri Subodha Rama Rao and Sri Varadam Rama Rao, were presenting Gamaka programs in Kannada Sahitya Parishat and other places.
At this time, he came under the guidance of the then President of the Sahitya Parishat, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, who encouraged Sri Raghavendra Rao. As the Convenor of Gamaka Classes at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, he rendered venerable service to the art of Gamaka for over two decades.
With involved support from stalwarts and scholars like Prof G Venkatasubbaiah, Sri M R Srinivasamurthy, Sri A N Murthi Rao and Masti, the art of Gamaka flourished well.
At this stage, Sri Raghavendra Rao had to return to Mysore, where he continued his Gamaka services, along with his third son. This resulted in the forming of an Association of Gamakis, under the banner Kavya Ranjini Sabha, which continues to be active even today.
Over the time, many of the scholars who attended and participated in the Sabha activities strongly felt the need for a separate Academy to promote the art of Gamaka with greater and sustained vigor.
This thought combined with the urge of Sri Raghavendra Rao, led to the inception of Karnataka Gamakakala Parishat, on October 2, 1982, with the primary aim of promoting the Gamaka Art form and facilitating complementary activities. The Parishat started functioning from the venue in Thyagarajanagar, Bangalore. Sri G Narayana and Sri Raghavendra Rao took charge as as President and Vice President respectively. There were other leading scholars that were induced as the other members/office bearers of the Parishat.
As a next step to effectively sustain this popularisation effort, the Parishat installed a representative District Unit in each of almost all the districts, identified the local individuals committed to serving the art of Gamaka, and nominated them as the District Unit Presidents.
As a part of this Gamaka popularisation effort, the Parishat also has a multi-level academic program whereby it prescribes syllabi and text books, runs classes for both domestic and international students, conducts examinations and issues Certificates to successful candidates. It is heartening that some of the Gamaka students have secured their jobs based on the Certificate issued by the Parishat.
Presidents so far
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Sri. G. Narayana [1982-2003]
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Sri. K.S. Venkatadri Sharma [2003-2006]
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Dr. Krishna Kolhar Kulakarni [2006-2008]
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Sri. B.G. Ramesh [2008-2011]
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Sri M R Satyanarayana [2011-17]
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Smt Gangamma Keshavamurthy [2017-2023]
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Dr A V Prasanna [Current}
