Udupi: Sangeetha Balachandra Completes 25-Hour Dasa Kirtana Recital

Udupi: ‘Krishna Ena Barade’ was the final Dasa Kirthana that Vidushi Sangeetha Balachandra sang at around 7.40 am on Monday, bringing to a close a remarkable 25-hour continuous musical journey in the temple town of Udupi.

Sangeetha began the performance at 6.30 am on Sunday at Sri Puthige Narasimha Sabha Bhavan in the Bhagavad Gita Mandir of Puthige Matha. She continued singing, completing 25 hours of singing at around 7.40 am on Monday and earning a place in the Golden Book of World Records.

What made the performance distinctive was that she relied entirely on Dasa Sahitya and Kirtanas for the marathon rendition. One composition followed another, supported by accompanying musicians on keyboard, rhythm pad, tabla and flute, as the singing continued into the following morning.

The achievement was officially verified by Dr Manish Vishnoi, Asia Head of the Golden Book of World Records, who was present at the venue, announced the record and presented the certificate.

Sri Adamaru Matha senior pontiff Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji, arrived at the Gita Mandir after completing his morning rituals and listened to Sangeetha’s rendition and stayed on for the final composition, ‘Krishna Ena Barade’, encouraging her as she completed the record attempt.

As she completed 25 hours, all the people who gathered expressed happiness and greeted her.

At a felicitation ceremony that followed, Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji honoured Balachandra with the title ‘Geetha Gangothri’, suggested by Puthige Matha seer Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji.

Explaining the title, Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji wished that, like the Ganga flowing continuously from Gangotri, the stream of Haridasa literature and devotional music would continue to flow through Sangeetha’s voice and inspire devotion among people.

He also recalled the support of Sangeetha’s parents and elders, particularly Subraya Puranika and Yashodamma, and said their blessings had been an important part of her musical journey.

Balachandra was felicitated, while her parents, Geetha Puranika and Vedavyasa Puranika, were also honoured. The accompanying musicians who supported her through the 25-hour performance were felicitated as well.

Providing instrumental accompaniment were Gururaj, Mogi Gururaj and Rajya Karivellur on keyboard, Prabhakar Ammingod and Vamana K on rhythm pad, Deekshith Kodancha and Deepak Raj Ullasu on tabla and Sri Santhosh Vittal on flute.

Puthige Matha Diwan Nagaraj Acharya, international secretary Prasanna Acharya and other dignitaries were present.