India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Sri Annamacharya Project of North America (Sapna), a no profit body set up 20 years ago to promote and propagate Indian classical fin arts, has slated a grand celebration of Sri Annamacharya 600th birth anniversary on Saturday, May 31st Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, a south side Chicago suburb.According to Sri Ram Sonty, a Sapna spokesman, the near day long event will commence at 10 am with a Maha Mangal Arati and Srinivasa Abhishekam which will be followed with a Jugalbandhi musical concert by Subrata De on Hindustani Sitar and Rama Guruppali on Carnatic Veena.

They will be accompanied by Dhananjay on Tabla, Ganapathi Ranganathan on Mridangam and Rajeshwari on Tambura.The afternoon session will be at 3 –15 pm with Annamaya Pada Sourabham.

The inaugural ceremony will commence at 5-30 pm followed up with Jugalbandhi Music concert by Tapan Bhattacharya- Hindustani vocal and Sarswathi Ranganathan on Veena. Accompaniment will be provided by Dhananjay on Tabla, Ganapathi Ranganathan on Mridangam and Somnath on Harmonium.Indian Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri will be the chief guest while lamp lighting ceremony will be performed by State Senator Maggie Crotty.

Acharya Narsimhacharya will be offering Veda pravachanman. Sarda Purna Sonty will address the gathering at the end. Another highlight will be Sunada Sudha- an exhibition of oil paintings of saint music composers of India.