It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Dr. Kiran Shirlal - An accomplished classical singer and a PhD. professor in engineering at the prestigious NITK (formerly KREC) Surathkal, Mangalore.

In the first of a two part series, Dr. Shirlal presents to us a composition in Raag Adaana (available in the podcast below).

Directions to hear: Please press the play button in ANY ONE of the widgets below. If the audio breaks and doesnt play continuous, (due to slower connections) press the pause (same play button with || mark) again and play after two minutes.

01 - Raag Adana - Dr. Kiran Shirlal at Muziboo.com

About Dr. Kiran Shirlal, the artist:

• 14 years of Learning and practising Khayal Gaayki of Hindustani classical music from Pt. K. M. Dass of Indore Gharana
• Completed Sangeet Vidwat, Sangeet Visharad and Sangeet Alankar degrees
• Hari Om Puraskaar for Music excellence
• Currently receiving advance guidance from Shri Shivdas Chandavarkar, Kirana Gharana

• Most memorable performances:
  • Pt. Sawai Gandharva Music festival, Dharwad
  • Ustad Abdul Kareem Khan Saheb Music festival, Miraj

About the Professor Dr. Kiran Shirlal:

• Civil Engineering graduation from Mysore University
• PG. degree in offshore engineering at IIT Mumbai under Govt. Scholarship
• Diploma in Management
• PhD in Coastal Engineering
• 50 papers in international journals and conferences
• “Jal Vigyaan Puraskaar” for research by Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune

Radio Idli welcomes Dr. Shirlal and would request him to regularly give all saraswat listeners a treat divine through the humble site.

Editor’s Note: Shri U. V. Kini through his immense dedication towards our community heritage, brings to us an e-book on GSB Temples. Amgele Devasthana (our temples) have had a distinct architecture. We perhaps have the only temples in the whole of India, in our community, where Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped in the same Altar.

Our terus and utsavs surrounding the temples enhance the grandeur of the rich heritage which we have been following as a community through cycles of prosperity and famine.

Shri U. V. Kini’s book, rich with images is an excellent and God-sent medium to revisit our temple traditions.

Directions to read the ebook:

You may read the book in any of the three ways:

1) Allow the book to load in i-paper format in the space below

2) if you are unable to see the book below… kindly login to the following link

http://www.scribd.com/doc/4890397/Temples-of-the-GSB-Community-Their-uniqueness-Revised

The book is also available for download through the same link above. You will need to sign up for free with scribd.

Important Announcement:

Balachandra Prabhu will be once again performing live at Vashi GSB sabha - Balaji Mandir. Thats where our Parampujya Shrimad Sudhindra Teertha Swamiji’s chaturmasya is consecrated.

The Date : 14th August 2008, Place:Balaji Mandir, Vashi - Navi Mumbai. The Temple is close to the Vashi Bus Depot (10 mins walk) time: 6 PM onwards.

Bala’s magical performance:

Five Months back, in March 2008, Mumbai saw the performance of a gifted unexplored and upcoming artist - Balachandra Prabhu. It was a very special occassion since Bala was performing for the first time in Mumbai.

Apart from that there was one more big reason for all of us to celebrate. It was Radio Idli’s first ever event totally sponsored by its listeners from all over the world.

Before we bring to you his recordings from the event. Here is a glimpse of his God-gifted art, from a performance at Hubli. The recording is from a function to commemorate the great Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Sahab of Kirana Gharana.

We have here in this video (to the left) two of his songs. (you may navigate using the arrow buttons that appear on the video). This video has been edited and uploaded by Bala’s elder brother Dr. Damodar Prabhu. I sincerely thank Dammu, as he is fondly known for this contribution.

Are you interested in Hearing Balachandra Prabhu live once again? He will sing for you at GSB sabha, Vashi. Be there and experience his divine performance.