INSPIRED NADARAJA FAMILY WORKS FOR CULTURAL AWARENESS
WHILE HELPING TO BUILD THE IRAIVAN TEMPLE

All the matavasis and everyone connected with the work of Iraivan Temple wish to send a BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE and appreciations to Ravi and Gowri Nadaraja for their ingenious and inspiring contribution to both our beloved cultural arts and to Iraivan temple. Their new project requires a tremendous sacrifice in terms of time, energy and resources. Thank you Ravi, Gowri and their daughters Garani and Devani.

Lucky are the ones that got to hear the golden voice of Sudha Ragunathan in person! Read on:

Ragunatha Concert Benefits Iraivan

Saturday evening Sudha Ragunathan, the world-renowned Carnatic singer, performed in the San Francisco Bay Area to a respectfully enthusiastic crowd of about 500 at the Chabot College Theatre.

She was in fine form, and performed a varied repetoire, displaying by turns her deep bhava for the Gods, and her technical mastery of the classical Hindu musical medium. Not the least remarkable was her stamina, as she never left the stage for three hours, and then sang encores and requests for an additional fourth hour.

Many are the singers who perform in the Bay Area, but it is a special event to hear such a great one as Sudha again.

She was accompanied by a full orchestra from India, mrdrungam, violin, tamboura and "mouth harp," each excellent musicians who had their turn displaying their virtuosity.

This first of nine concerts Sudha is performing in the US was organized by Ravi and Gowri Nadaraja, well-known fundraisers for our dear Iraivan temple. They have now formally organized their effort as the Nadaraja Center for Performing Arts. The goal of the NCPA is to provide a forum for fine Hindu entertainment, a stage where young local talent can perform, and to raise money for Iraivan Temple. Ravi and Gowri announced this from the stage podium, read a blessing from Gurudeva, and presented Sudha with a copy of "Dancing with Siva".

Helping with the effort were Vamatheva and Kumudini, Easan and Sundari, Nishan and Raveena Nadaraja. All three Bay Area Kutumbas were represented in the concert audience, supporting this worthwhile event which also turned out to be a spellbinding magical evening.

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