R Sathyanarayana

Mahamahopadhyaya Dr R. Sathyanarayana (born 9 May 1927) is a musicologist and dance scholar from Mysore, India. In 2018, Sathyanarayana received the Padma Sri civilian honour from the President of India for his contribution to the field of music.

Dr R Sathyanarayana or Mahamahopadhyaya Dr R Sathyanarayana, as he is known in the scholarly circles, is a very erudite. His degrees range from a Masters in Chemistry from the University of Mysore to a PhD and multiple D.Litt degrees from various universities including(but not exclusively) Mysore University, Hampi University(Honoris Causa) and Gangubhai Hangal Music University of Mysore.

Professional Experience

Teaching Chemistry: 1949 – 1984, Karnataka Music: 1945 – 1984

Teaching Musicology and Danceology: 1951–PRESENT DAY

Academic Distinctions

• D.Litt. First interdisciplinary award, Mysore University,
• D.Litt. {Honoris Causa} IKSV University, Khairagarh, M.P.
• Indira Gandhi National Fellowship for Arts
• Senior Fellow, Ministry for Tourism and Culture, New Delhi.
• Certificate of Honour: International Biographical Centre, Cambridge.
• Golden Jubilee Award, Mysore University, for highest creative research in Fine Arts and Languages {three times}
• Highest Award for lecture Demonstration, 53rd Music Conference, Music Academy, Madras.
• Fellow, Member etc. of numerous learned bodies in India and Abroad

Between 1949 and 1984, he taught chemistry at the Sarada Vilas College, and also taught Karnataka music. He has written treatises in Sanskrit language on dance and music. Pundarikamala, Shruti: The Scalic Foundation, Suladis and Ugabhogas of Karnataka Music, and Karnataka Sangeetha Vahini are some of his notable works. He is a public speaker on Indological disciplines, and has been an active participant in Government of India sponsored music festivals and international seminars. He is the President of the Indian Music Congress.

• One-Man Cultural Mission to Europe and UK, sponsored by Government of India.
• Leader of Government of India Delegation of Musicians and Musicologists to International Seminar on Indian Music at London sponsored by Government of India and UK University Circuit for Indian Classical Music.
• Delegation of Musicologists to USSR for Festival of India in Moscow for Seminar on Indian Music.
• Delegation of Musicologists to Festival of USSR in Delhi for Seminar on Indian Music.
• Delegation of Musicologists to China, Singapore and Malaysia by Government of India.

• Participation in other conferences and seminars on Indian Music abroad.
• President, Director, Coordinator, Moderator at numerous conferences on music and dance.
• Chairman of council of Experts committee of numerous conferences on music and dance.
• Keynote address and papers presented at conferences, seminars, workshops on Indian music and dance.
• Papers presented at conferences and seminars on Agama, Purana, Ayurveda (Indian medicine), Astrology, Yoga Shastra, Mantra Shastra, Psychology and Acoustics in relation to Indian music and dance.

• Close associations with many organizations devoted to the promotion of Indian music and Dance and of Indian Culture in several capacities.
• President Nupura School of Dance and Nityanrutya, National Dance Festival.
• Director, Regional Centre for Research and Development in Music and Dance {Sangeetha Nrtya Academy) Centre for Musical Research, Kayavarohan Teertha Samaj.
• Member of executive committee of several organizations.
• Professor of Musicology, Sri Varalakshmi Academy.
• Member, advisory committee for dictionaries, encyclopaedias and other lexical works.
• All India Radio: Member of Programme Advisory Committee, Recruitment committee, Jury for Annual National Awards.
• University Grants Commission: Member, Visiting Committee.
• Ex.Member, Karnataka Sangita Nrutya Academy.
• Member: Ph.D. committee, Board of Studies in Performing Arts, Board of examiners, Examiner for post graduate and Ph.D. examinations in music of several Universities, Guide for Ph.D.
• Society for Indian Classical Music and Dance: Member of Steering Group, Action Committee.

• Syndicate member of Karnataka State Gangubai Hanagal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysore
• President: Indian Music Congress
• Advisory Committee, Percussive Arts Centre.
• Founder Director, Srividya Pratishthaan, Foundation to Preserve, Perpetuate and Disseminate the Knowledge of Srividya Tantra.
• Several other art institutions all over India and abroad in various capacities

1. Broad based in disciplines of physical science, indology, and humanities.
2. Languages: English, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Samskrita.
3. Music Composer: Classical Karnataka music: Songs performed by eminent musicians in music conferences, Sangeetha Sabha and other popular media like AIR/Doordarshan.
4. Exponent of the theory and practice of Srividya Tantra, Received Deeksha from Guru Yagnanarayana Somayaji.Deekshanama : Sathyanandanatha.
5. Noted public speaker of Indian Philosophy, Yoga, Tantra, Mantra, Advaita, Veda Upanishad and related subjects, lectures on aesthetics, education, sociology, psychology, psychoacoustics, historiography, cultural anthropology, synaethesia etc.
6. Music Research work characterized by comprehensive, original, authentic source material, critical and constructive approach, precise documentation as well as functional and contemporary relevance.
7. Broadcaster of special music features on AIR
8. Interviewed several times in AIR, Great Masters series on Doordarshan, other popular media, Life and work described in several International Biographies, Achievements etc.
9. Areas of special interest include Interdisciplinary Extrapolation from many adjacent areas of special knowledge and experience.
10. Textual Criticism in music and dance.
11. Musical pedagogy.
12. Psychoacoustics of music.
13. Music therapy.
14. Restoration of Ancient and Medieval forms of Indian music and dance form authentic source material.
15. Exegesis and interpretative techniques in historical and textual studies.
16. Research methodology in music and dance.
17. Theory and Practice of Homoeopathic Medicine
18. Theory and Practice of Srividya Tantra: Belongs to Anandabhairava Sampradaya and Sri Vidyaranya Shishya Parampara, belongs to the Kaadi Marga.He has received Deeksha and Abhisheka.

Critical Edition of Samskrita Treatises on Music and Dance

1. 1.Abhinava Bharata Sarasangraha of Mummadi Chikkabhupala
2. 2.Sangeetharatnakara of Sharngadeva
3. 3.Sangeethasudhakara of Haripaladeva */**
4. 4.Ragarathnakara of Gandharvaraja */**
5. 5.Chaturdandi Prakashika of Venkatamakhin
6. 6.Ragalakshanam of Mudduventkatamakhin
7. 7.Veenalakshana of Parameshvara
8. 8.Sadragachandrodaya of Pandarika Vitthala
9. 9.Ragamala of-“-
10. 10.Ragamanjari-“-
11. 11.Nartananirnaya-“-
12. 12.Hridayaprakasha of Hridayanarayanadeva **
13. 13.Hridayakautukam of-“-
14. 14.Vivekachitamani[chapter on music]of Nijagunashivayogi **
15. 15.Sangeetha Samayasara of Parshvadeva +
16. 16.Kohalamatam of Kohala */+- “ -
17. 17.Kohala Shiksha */+- “ -
18. 18.Kohala Dattilam */+- “ –
19. 19.Hanumadbharatam of Hanuman */**
20. 20.Sadashivabharatam of Sadashiva */+
21. 21.Brahmabharatam of Brahma */+
22. 22.Svaramelakalanidhi of Ramamatya [rev, IInd ed.]
23. 23.Brihaddeshi of Sri Matangamuni

Original Works

1. 1.Nishanka Hridaya
2. 2.Pundarikamala
3. 3.Bharatanatya: A Critical Study
4. 4.Suladis and Ugabhogas of Karnataka Music
5. 5.Veenalakshana Vimarshe
6. 6.Chikkadevaraya Saptapadi Mattu Geethagopaladalli Sangeetha
7. 7.Shruti: The Scalic Foundation
8. 8.Music of the Madhva Monks of Karnataka
9. 9.Studies in Indian Dance
10. 10.Studies in Music Education
11. 11.Karnataka Sangeetha Vahini (II rev. enlarged edn)
12. 12.Ela: A Musicological Study
13. 13.Karnatakadalli Kalegalu : Sangeetha
14. 14.Bharatiya Sangeethadalli Paribhashaprayoga
15. 15.Mridanga: A Critical Study +
16. 16.History of Music in Karnataka +
17. 17.Srutibedha : Principles and Practice
18. 18.Nadayoga: principles and Practice
19. 19.You and Karnataka Music +
20. 20.Research Problems in Karnataka Music +
21. 21.Percussive Instruments of Karnataka Music +
22. 22.Makhi Hrdaya
23. 23.Karnataka Music as Aesthetic Form
24. 24.Dharmika Samskaragalalli Sangita
25. 25.Music Criticism: Principles and Practice
26. 26.Kohala Matam * In Kannada and English (under print)
27. 27.Sangita Sudhakara*Under Print
28. 28.Srividya Shodashika: Chitkala Part I, Part II and part III
29. 29.Naalku Sangita Rajaru
30. 30.Bharata Chatushthaya * (under print)
31. 31.The Mela Triad of Venkatamakhi *
32. 32.Ragalakshanam of Muddu Venkatamahin.

Translations and Commentary

1. 1.Sangitaratnakara of Sharngadeva [Kannada}
2. 2.Chaturdandi Prakashika of Venkatamakhin [ “ ]
3. 3.Veenalakshana of Parameshvara [“]
4. 4.Sadragachandrodaya of Pandarika Vitthala [“]
5. 5.Ragamala- “ – [“]
6. 6.Ragamanjari – “ – [“]
7. 7.Nartananirnaya – “ – [“]
8. 8.Moorusangeethopanyasagalu [“]
9. 9.Hridayaprakasha of Hridayanarayanadeva [eng.]**
10. 10.Hridayaprakasham – “ –
11. 11.Nartananirnaya of Pandarikavitthala [eng.]
12. 12.Svaramelakalanidhi of Ramamatya [“]
13. 13.Sangeetha Samayasara of Parshvadeva [“]
14. 14.Hanumadbharatam [“] **
15. 15.Sadashivabharatam [“] **
16. 16.Brihaddeshi of Sri Matangamuni [Kannada]
17. 17.Sangeetha Sudhakara of Haripaladeva
18. 18.Sangeetha Chudamani of Jagadekamalla
19. 19.Suryanamaskara of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji [Kannada]
20. 20.Pranayama for Body and Soul – “ – [eng. & Kannada]
21. 21.Upanayana (Trans. of History of Dharma Shastras, P.V.Kane)
22. 22.Vivaha(Trans. of History of Dharma Shastras, P.V.Kane)
23. 23.Shraddha Karma (Trans. of History of Dharma Shastras, P.V.Kane)
24. 24.Anyeshthi (Trans. of History of Dharma Shastras, P.V.Kane)
25. 25.Kohalamatam of Kohalamuni (in Kannada and English-international editions)
26. 26.Bharatarnava of Nandikeshwara
27. 27.Svaramela Kalanidhi of Ramamatya in Kannada

Work in Editing

1. 1.Vedic Octave and Extracts from Abhinava Bharata Sara Sangraha
2. 2.Kudumiamalai Inscriptions on Music [Vol.1]
3. 3.Souvenir: Silver Jubilee Commemoration, Seethasadana, Mysore
4. 4.‘Nandanavana’: Felicitation Volume dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swamiji
5. 5.Souvenir: Vishnudigambar Paluskar Centenary Seminar on Hindusthani Music
6. 6.Suryanamaskara [Kannada] of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji
7. 7.Pranayama- “ –
8. 8.Shatkarmavidhi- “ –
9. 9.Angamardhana- “ –
10. 10.Dehaswasthyakkagi Yogasanagalu- “ –
11. 11.Rishi Gandharva : Commemorative Volume on Sangeetha Rathna Kanchana Venkatasubrahmanyam
12. 12.Historiography of Indian Arts [Music and Dance]: Insights
13. 13.Nadabharathi

Miscellaneous Work

More than 170 research papers on various aspects on music and dance presented at conferences, seminars, congresses etc., and others published in periodicals.

More than 200 articles on music, dance, education, philosophy, yoga, tantra, mantra and other Indological disciplines.

Total publication exceeds some 20000 printed pages.Music, Dance and Cognate Indological fraternity have treasured these publications to perform, propagate and preserve the culture and traditions of the country.

1. Academi Rathna fellowship award by Sangit Natak Academi, New Delhi.
2. Rajya Sangita Vidwan Award from Government of Karnataka, 2011
3. Madras Music Academy, Chennai,Musicologist Award
4. Sangit Natak Academy Award for the Year 2008
5. Bharatamuni Samman 2012 from Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Mumbai.
6. Madokaram Narasimhachar memorial ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ 2011
7. Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award
8. Veena Rajarao International Award for Excellence in Music
9. Karnataka Sangeetha Nrutya Academy Award
10. Honorific titles include:
11. Mahamahopadhyaya
12. Rashtrabhooshana
13. Sangeetha Kala Rathna
14. Sangeetha Shastra Sarasvathi
15. Sangeetha Sudhakara
16. Ganagnanapayonidhi
17. Ganashastravidyavaridhi
18. Geethanatyakovida
19. Karnataka Kala Tilaka
20. Vedashri
21. Samhitacharya
22. Sangita Shastra Shiromani
23. Abhinava Bharatacharya and others
25. Honorific Shawls, ponnadais, Citations and Birudupatras from many Jagadguru Peethas and Mathas.
26. Honoured in innumerable Conferences and Seminars on Music and Dance.
27. Social and Cultural Organizations.
28. Various Universities and other academic bodies in India
29. Honoured at World Kannada Conference
30. Gust of Honour at Golden jubilee Celebrations of the founding of USSR {Tashkent} and of Silver Jubilee of Composers Union of Music USSR {Samarkand}
31. Felicitated on the eve of International Music Seminar {USSR and India} Moscow.
32. International Man of the year 2000, Cambridge, UK
33. Director of Research in Music and Arts, ABC, USA
34. Man of International achievements, USA
35. Dr.R.Sathyanarayana Abhinandana Samithi Felicitation (formed by the entire artist community and cultural institutions of Karnataka)