Lalitha Ubhayaker

DiscoverBangalore is pleased to introduce Lalitha Ubhayaker, world renowned exponent of Hindustani classical music, patron of the arts and a philanthropist to the visitors of our site and to the world as we recognize her good work.

The soft spoken Smt. Lalita Ubhayaker radiates an old world charm and her passion for promotion of the arts is deep seated. For over twenty-five years she has been lauded for her tireless work as a world renowned exponent of Hindustani classical music, patron of the arts and a philanthropist. Daughter of Smt. Paravati Bai Ullal and Shri Sundar Rao Ullal, her lineage and cultural accomplishments are impeccable. Her performances have taken her across the world and today at a young 78 years her energy and spirit is indefatigable that even today’s youngsters can hardly match. The Founding Director and Managing Trustee of three cultural institutions, Smriti Nandan, Devandan Ubhayaker Yuva Sangeet Utsav and Ashvasan Foundation her commitment is very focused.

Her early music years were honed by Shri Chidanand Nagarkar and Shri Rama Rao Nayak, a disciple of Ustad Ata Hussain Khan and Swami Vallabhadas. As her musical talents refined she became a votary of the grandiose Agra Gharana.She fully blossomed under the tutelage of the Dagar Brothers, the late Shri Moinuddin Dagar and Shri. Aminuddin Dagar.Widely recognised for singing in a fashion sensitive and pleasing to the ear, her performances – beginning with All India Radio from 1951 onwards, earned her the distinction of participating in the National Programmes and Radio Sangeet Sammelans from 1968. She enthralled rasikas at a number of important All India music festivals. Her international performances commencing in 1954 took her to Russia and several Eastern Block nations. Her recitals in the subsequent decades were well received by audiences across Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Switzerland, Italy and the U.S.

In her later years, her talent extended to other areas, especially in spotting young talent, constantly nurturing and making them big names in their chosen field. Her most noteworthy initiative has been as the Founding Director of Ashvasan, a voluntary organisation (1993) to reach out to senior citizens through recreation centres, counselling, seminars, health camps etc.

Very thoughtfully, choosing the logo of a three headed hamsa, I can say that it’s the extension of her self to separate the rasa from the gross, in spotting talent and harmoniously integrating her belief in the physical, mental and spiritual planes of human existence. Life has not been very kind to her but she has not allowed bitterness to overpower her. Instead she has harnessed it to promote many activities giving the much needed fillip to the cultural scene in Bangalore putting her faith in the Divine- in satyam, sivam, sundaram.

With a religious fervour she has revived the guru shishya parampare in the rich tapestry of musical traditions thereby youngsters could pursue music as a career. To give an impetus to this, she founded the Devanandan Ubhayakar Yuva Sangeet Utsav in 1986.Two decades later it is a much looked forward event of national import where the discerning are seeped in music for two days. She says “The abundance of talent is beginning to flower as there is tremendous awareness in going back to our roots in Bangalore.” This year the twentieth DUYSU will be a very special celebration hosting veteran musicians who have been successfully launched under its agesis.”It will be a sentimental journey for me and my friends as we look back in retrospect”.

She states “The Smriti Nandan Cultural Centre is a celebration of art, culture and beauty. When old traditions start fraying its time to consciously preserve and reinvent them and create spaces for the evolving traditions of all forms of ART.” Located in the heart of the city it is an entirely surprising ambience reflecting a forest glen with abundant greenery and sounds of the cascading waters.Mrs Ubhayaker believes that ‘Beauty can be eternally pursued, and to focus on this formless beauty it should be in the lap of nature with the sounds of gently flowing water, the twitter of birds and rustle of leaves. Space is to be experienced as a wide expanse without man made hindrances. It’s in the art of living that creative giving is possible.”

The weekends come alive with children’s activities. The music, the rhythm of their bodies and the coordinated movements warms the cockles. This centre is also the venue for the annual seminars of the Ashvasan foundation for the elderly. A non commercial centre dedicated to the arts, it is open for bookings for shows, exhibitions, concerts etc. In the last one year the events held are Hindusthani, Sitar, Rudra Veena, dance recitals among other activities. Also conducted with panache are literary events, Shakespeare festivals, Tal Tarang (Tabla) by 24 youngsters, craft and Spiritual discourses. Twice a month cultural performances as eclectic and diverse as our heritage are a much looked forward to happening. Indeed is a celebratory space for enabling a synergy between tradition and modernity. As the noted danseuse Maya Rao observes-Song and dance, divine and primordial in their nature are the basis of Universe in all time, like the divine dancers Nataraja and Natwara Krishna portraying the rhythm and harmony in life.

Keats-Beauty is Truth, Truth beauty that is all ye know on earth/And all ye need to know” epitomizes her vision for this centre as life’s adventure is refined simplicity in discovering beauty. In short it’s the translation of the essence of Satyam sivam sundaram into a visual living experience. “That’s how I visualize the centre, and for this great courage and clarity of vision is essential”. And these qualities she has a plenty.

The Ashvasan foundation reaches out with love and care to the elderly across all segments. The volunteers undertake to provide warmth and cheer to a large number of the elderly all over Bangalore, by attending to their chores as de facto nieces and nephews. Ten recreational centres facilitate the elders to relax and mingle with their own kind besides participation in annual outings.

Her future plans-Starting of day care centres to those who are alone while the children go to work. Setting a home for the bed ridden, and with this objective a new floor will be set up at Asha Jeevan Home for the Aged.

Those interested to join hands in the efforts to preserve our heritage and promote the arts are welcome to membership to SNCC. Contact 22258091/22265732.
E-mail: info @smritinandan.org

Ashvasan is looking to the members of the community to extend a helping hand to the Old Age Home by way of volunteering.

As told to Githa .U.Badikillaya

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