Voruganti Anand Mohan, founder of Hyderabad-based music organization Sangeeta Ksheera Sagaram. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a world where many people retreat to peace in the last years of their lives, Voruganti Anand Mohan’s passion and commitment to music is commendable. Even at the age of 90, Voruganti continues to work for classical music through his cultural organisation Sangeetha Ksheera Sagaram, which he founded in Hyderabad in 2002. His journey is not just about personal achievements but a saga of selfless dedication to nurture the musical talents of others.
Voruganti has consistently offered a platform for emerging musicians, as well as attracted renowned artistes from India and internationally to share their skills with young musicians in Hyderabad. “I never bear their airfare or hotel stay; I only pay them a nominal honorarium of ₹2000. Despite this, the artistes enthusiastically accept my invitations and come to perform,” he said.
Komanduri Anantha Sourirajan, Komanduri Seshadri, Komanduri Venkata Krishna | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Voruganti’s musical roots run deep, dating back to his rigorous training at the Government Music and Dance College under the tutelage of Uppalapati Ankaiah. Despite his own musical talent, Voruganti chose a path less familiar – one that prioritised promoting other musicians rather than himself.
Voruganti was also a pioneer in introducing classical music culture in the Nawabi city by establishing the famous Thyagaraya Gana Sabha at Chikkadpally in Hyderabad. Since then, the Sabha has become the centre of cultural vibrancy in Hyderabad. Incidentally, the first artiste was Voruganti’s guru, Uppalapati Ankaiah, who enthralled the audience with a memorable concert on June 4, 1966. “My guru was an expert in RTP (Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi), an improvisational singing style in Carnatic music. At that time, RTP concerts were organised by Madras AIR. Once, on a visit to Hyderabad, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer doubted that anyone here could do RTP. That’s when Ankaiah garu was invited. This performance led to the establishment of regular RTP concerts in Hyderabad and gave a big boost to the role of AIR Hyderabad in promoting classical music,” Voruganti said.
Diverse Roots
Jyothi Vaidyanathan and Jayanti Vaidyanathan, popularly known as the Vaijayanti Sisters, perform for Sangeetha Ksheera Sagaram | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Voruganti was born on May 30, 1935 at Gosha Hospital in Triplicane, Chennai. His father worked as a Hindi Pandit at Waltair College. In 1942, due to the Japanese bombing of Visakhapatnam, the family shifted to Guntur. Voruganti completed his intermediate education in Nellore and got a BCom Honours degree in Visakhapatnam. He started his career as an assistant lecturer at Chirala College and later joined the Accountant General (AG) office in 1955.
He was transferred to Bihar after the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956. He also worked in the Ministry of Rural Development in Delhi.
“When I returned to Hyderabad after my retirement in 1993, I saw that there were so many talented singers here who had no proper platform to showcase their talent. That’s when I decided to reunite with my musical colleagues and start Sangeetha Ksheera Sagaram. My wife Prabhavathi suggested we dedicate it to the memory of our guru Ankaiah garu.” The organisation was aimed at providing opportunities to young musicians and since then it has organised 642 concerts in the last 20 years.
a fascinating journey
The mention of his wife brings a gleam in Voruganti’s eyes as he recalls the day they eloped and got married despite all the odds. Both were Ankaiah’s students at the music college and faced strong opposition from their families. In 1957, his wife left home with just a statement. Pawla (25 paise coin). Standing before her he declared, “Either marry me, or Pavla, I would hire a rickshaw to Tank Bund and jump off! Voruganti laughs now, remembering the memory.
Love blossomed and they got married at the age of 20 in Mangalagiri. “I still have that quality Pawla and our wedding receipts at the Mangalagiri temple,” Voruganti says emotionally. This partnership, built on a foundation of mutual respect and a shared passion for music, has been instrumental in the growth of Sangeetha Ksheera Sagaram. His wife passed away in 2014.
Music and teaching
A Kanyakumari, a regular performer for Sangeetha Ksheera Sagaram | Photo courtesy: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Reflecting on the changes in the music teaching landscape, Voruganti laments the commercialisation of gurus and the lack of committed teachers in music colleges. He emphasises the importance of quality and dedication in music education, calling it a departure from the devotion and dedication of earlier scholars. “I have noticed that many talented classical singers are increasingly being attracted to television talent shows,” says Voruganti. “While these shows provide visibility, they can prevent singers from becoming seasoned performers on traditional platforms. This shift prioritises instant fame over the long-term growth that comes with consistent live performance.”
Voruganti is committed to his mission of promoting young talent. He discovers promising singers on YouTube and invites them to perform. His goal is to continue the legacy of Sangeetha Ksheera Sagaram, and he aspires to reach the age of 108. He wants to ensure that artists from around the world get a platform to showcase their talent, supported by his personal pension and passion for music.
