Udupi: The temple town of Udupi witnessed a historic cultural milestone on Friday as Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna successfully completed ‘Purandara Gaana Narthana’, a rare and demanding artistic presentation involving the simultaneous rendering of classical Carnatic singing and Bharatanatyam dance to the compositions of Sri Purandara Dasaru. With this achievement, she secured her place in the prestigious Golden Book of World Records, bringing national and international recognition to the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The record attempt was organised by Hejje Gejje Foundation, Udupi–Manipal, at Nutana Ravindra Mantapa, MGM College, Udupi. The performance commenced at 8.30 am and continued as per the stringent guidelines laid down by the record-keeping body. A felicitation ceremony was held later in the evening at 5 pm in the presence of several dignitaries, senior artistes, cultural patrons and art lovers.
A rare confluence of music and dance
‘Purandara Gaana Narthana’ is considered one of the most challenging forms of classical performance, as it demands the artiste to maintain vocal precision while simultaneously executing complex Bharatanatyam movements. Through this presentation, Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna paid tribute to Sri Purandara Dasaru, revered as the Pitamaha of Carnatic music and a central figure of Karnataka’s Bhakti movement.
The performance stood out not only for its technical difficulty but also for its devotional depth, as the compositions of Purandara Dasaru were rendered with both lyrical clarity and expressive abhinaya. Art connoisseurs present described the presentation as a seamless blend of gaana (music) and narthana (dance), rooted firmly in classical tradition while showcasing innovation.
Accompaniment by eminent artistes
The programme featured accompaniment by noted musicians who lent strong support to the demanding performance. Vidwan Satish Bhat Hoggar and Vidwan Shashikiran (Manipal) accompanied on harmonium, while Vidwan Madhava Acharya (Udupi) provided rhythmic support on tabla. Vidushi Vijetha Hegde, a disciple of Vidwan Sheshadri Iyengar and Pandit Yogesh, also contributed to the musical ensemble.
The Bharatanatyam presentation was performed by Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna along with students of Hejje Gejje Foundation (R.), adding a collective dimension to the otherwise rigorous solo effort and reflecting the institution’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Record officially certified
The achievement was formally certified by Dr Manish Vishnoi, Asia Head of the Golden Book of World Records, who announced the successful completion of the record attempt and presented the official recognition.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Vishnoi said, “The Golden Book of World Records is a US-based organisation that recognises extraordinary achievements across the world. What we witnessed today is truly remarkable. Some people sing, some people dance, but Deeksha did both simultaneously. Classical dance itself is difficult, and performing it in combination with classical singing is extremely challenging.”
He added that the performance ranked among the toughest record attempts he had personally evaluated.
Dignitaries laud the achievement
Udupi MLA Yashpal A Suvarna congratulated the artiste and the organisers, stating that the achievement brought immense pride to both Udupi and Karnataka. “Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna has beautifully blended devotion, discipline and art, taking our cultural heritage to a global platform. Udupi is known not only for education but also for its rich and vibrant cultural performances,” he said.
Former MLA Raghupathi Bhat, in his remarks, praised Hejje Gejje Foundation for its sustained contribution to classical arts. “Purandara Dasaru’s compositions are the soul of Karnataka’s Bhakti movement. Presenting them through such a rare and demanding art form is truly commendable. This world record will inspire many young artistes,” he said.
Artiste dedicates record to gurus and tradition
Expressing her gratitude, Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna described the record as a humble offering to Sri Purandara Dasaru. “I dedicate this achievement to my gurus, my students, Hejje Gejje Foundation and everyone who believed in this vision of combining gaana and narthana as one. This journey demanded immense discipline, devotion and collective effort,” she said.
She also thanked her family, accompanists and well-wishers for their constant support and expressed hope that the achievement would inspire the younger generation to explore classical arts with sincerity and innovation, while remaining rooted in tradition.
Presence of cultural stalwarts
Several eminent personalities from the field of education and arts were present at the event, including Dr M Vishwanath Pai, vice-principal of MGM College, Udupi; Vidwan Madhoor P Balasubramanyam of Madhuradhwani; Vidwan Raghavendra Acharya, AIR artiste; and Dr Sharana Basava, Founder President of Shri Basava Trust, Ballari, among others.
Their presence added further significance to the occasion, underscoring the importance of the achievement within the larger cultural landscape of Karnataka.
Conclusion
The successful completion of ‘Purandara Gaana Narthana’ and its recognition by the Golden Book of World Records marks a landmark moment for Indian classical music and dance. Vidushi Deeksha Ramakrishna’s feat stands as a testament to dedication, artistic excellence and the enduring power of devotional art. The event concluded with sustained applause and appreciation from art lovers, firmly placing Udupi on the global cultural map once again.