Dr. Kavitha Devarajan
Dr. Kavitha Devarajan is an All India Radio first-prize winner and a graded artiste
Guru Smt. Seetha Rajan, a ‘Top’ graded artist with the All India Radio and Doordarshan, is a prominent disciple of ‘Sangita Pitamaha’ Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and respected Guru Sri Kittamani Iyer. She has also been under the tutelage of well-known Hindustani maestro Pandit Bhim Shankar Rao.
Guru Smt. Seetha Rajan is a distinguished academician. She is a fellow of the University Grants Commission, and has conducted training programmes for faculty in several universities. She is involved in extensive research in music and musicology, and has worked with renowned musicologists Professor S.R. Janakiraman and Professor R.K. Ramanathan.
She has served as faculty in prestigious institutions, including the Kalakshetra Foundation and the Music Academy in Chennai.
Guru Smt. Seetha Rajan has dedicated her life to music.
The Bala Brundam Gurukulam, established by her in 1992, is a well-regarded institution supporting learning, teaching and research of Carnatic music and its related methodologies.
Over the years, Guru Smt. Seetha Rajan has been recognised by various organisations and institutions, including the Government of India.
2006 – Acharya Choodamani
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
2007 – Sangita Kala Acharya
The Music Academy, Chennai
Guru Smt. Seetha Rajan has consistently experimented with new ideas in the pedagogy of Carnatic music. As a Senior Research Fellow with the Department of Culture, Government of India, she worked on a thesis that aimed to analyze and restructure the curriculum for students of Carnatic music.
In this endeavour, she assimilated insights from diverse disciplines – musicology, physiology, mathematics and kinesics – to develop Bodhana, a distinctive approach to teaching Carnatic music. Bodhana enables learning in a manner that is conducive to the ability, grasp and pace of students.
This system provides a structured curriculum that covers the entire spectrum of learning in Carnatic music, from introductory lessons to advanced training.
The Bodhana system of learning Carnatic music takes the student back to the traditional Gurukulam way of sharing and imparting knowledge and growing together. Students or shishyas, apart from direct teaching by the Guru, also benefit from shared learning with peers, guidance from senior learners, and hone their skills and knowledge by imparting this to those junior to them on the learning path.
The introductory lessons are engaging while establishing a strong foundation. The lessons begin with well-structured exercises in audava ragas (pentatonic scales). This is complemented by songs/slokas in simple melodies and jatisvarams composed to illustrate the complete range, structure, and characteristic sancharas of the ragas.
Several individual teachers and small institutions utilise the tenets of Bodhana to benefit their students.
The teaching methodology of “Bodhana” blends three pivotal aspects:
(Power/Vigour)
Addressed by voice culture techniques and systematic swara exercises.
(Knowledge)
Honed by imparting musical knowledge in the form of theory and practice.
(Soul)
Inherent and emphasized through a deeper understanding of music and experiential learning with the Guru, through selfless singing and soulful rendering.
The teaching methodology of “Bodhana” blends three pivotal aspects:
(Knowledge)
Honed by imparting musical knowledge in the form of theory and practice.
(Soul)
Inherent and emphasized through a deeper understanding of music and experiential learning with the Guru, through selfless singing and soulful rendering.
The teaching methodology of “Bodhana” blends three pivotal aspects:
(Knowledge)
Honed by imparting musical knowledge in the form of theory and practice.
(Soul)
Inherent and emphasized through a deeper understanding of music and experiential learning with the Guru, through selfless singing and soulful rendering.
guruṃ vandē mātṛrūpam
guruṃ vandē pitṛrūpam
guruṃ vandē karuṇāmayam
guruṃ vandē sujñānamayam
guruṃ vandē siddhipradam
guruṃ vandē buddhipradam
guruṃ vandē vimalamatim
guruṃ vandē amalākṛtim
The Vedic system of education involves the ‘Guru’, who transcends mere subject knowledge and guides the ‘Shishya’, the disciple, to become the custodian of their Guru’s legacy. This unique relationship is steeped in dedication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to personal and spiritual development.
Smt. Seetha Rajan lives up to the adage, “Guru is the epitome of ideal parenthood.”
To her shishyas, she is parent, teacher, guide, confidant and role model.
Bala Brundam Gurukulam was founded in 1992 by Smt. Seetha Rajan and her husband, Col. K.V. Rajan.
The Gurukulam, true to the traditions of the Guru-Shishya Parampara, provides a nurturing environment where music is a way of life.
Shishyas thrive in the vibrant atmosphere of the Gurukulam to become torchbearers of our rich musical tradition.
At the graduate and postgraduate level, shishyas are encouraged to specialise in music, related subjects and languages. Many shishyas are recipients of prestigious scholarships, UGC Research Fellowships, and University ranks. Over a dozen shishyas have been awarded doctorates in music and allied disciplines.
The Gurukulam has the distinction of contributing to both courseware and faculty at various institutions involved in percolating Carnatic music globally.
The Gaanabrundam Team is a confluence of shishyas bound by love for the Guru and the art. The team brings together varied experience, abilities and thought processes to present Gaanabrundam to you.
Dr. Kavitha Devarajan is an All India Radio first-prize winner and a graded artiste
Dr. Praveena Thodge is a graded artiste of All India Radio and a gold medal awardee in M.A. Music.
Dr. Jyotsna Krishnamurthi is an ‘A’ grade artiste of All India Radio.
Dr. Srilatha Renjith is a graded artiste of All India Radio and a gold medal awardee in M.A. Sanskrit.
Smt. Sowmya Sudharshan is an ‘A’ grade artiste of All India Radio.
Smt. Tamara is a senior legal professional with a keen interest in arts, culture, and heritage.
Mr. Sridhar is a senior Information Technology management professional with a keen interest in music.
Kum. Gayathri is a lawyer with post-graduate specialisation in Human Resource Management.
Smt. Durga is an Information Technology professional who has dedicated herself to Carnatic music, heritage, and Sanskrit.
Smt. Sowmya Balakrishnan began her career as a banking professional and subsequently switched fields to embark on a music and arts trajectory.
Smt. Sripriya Subramaniam began her journey in Carnatic music at the age of five years.
Smt. G. Ramya Bhuvaneswari worked as a senior technical specialist in a leading multinational corporation.
Smt. Preetha Prasad began her musical tutelage under Guru Smt. Seetha Rajan four decades ago. She is an internationally known light, devotional, and playback music
Smt. Kala Ganesh retired from a senior role in the Government. As a member of Matrubrundam, she is devoted to the study of Sanskrit, Tamizh,
Matrubrundam was established in 2014 with the aim of facilitating women in renewing their musical journeys and cultivating a passion for the art form. Over the years, it has enabled members to develop a sense of community and rediscover their innate talent.
Over the past decade, Matrubrundam has performed at numerous events and venues, including Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and All India Radio. Several of the Matrubrundam members contribute to the Gurukulam as faculty, content creators, and performers.
