The Omkarnath Havaldar Music Academy presents Swara Saannidhya – Sangeeta Mahotsava 2026, an evening celebrating the rich traditions of Indian classical music. Featuring the disciples of Shri Omkarnath Havaldar, the programme brings together the vibrant traditions of Carnatic and Hindustani classical vocal music. The Carnatic ensemble features vocalists S. Aishwarya and S. Soundarya, accompanied by violin, mridangam and kanjira. The Hindustani ensemble features Hiranmayee S. in vocal, accompanied by harmonium, tabla and manjira. The evening will also feature Hindustani vocal performances by Shri Omkarnath Havaldar and Pt. Dhananjay Hegde, accompanied by accomplished musicians. A special felicitation ceremony honouring Shri G. S. Hegde and Vidushi Smt. Geeta Hegde will add to the occasion. Join us for an enriching musical experience celebrating the legacy of Indian classical music and the enduring bond between the guru and shishya. Date: Sunday, 15 November 2026 Time: 3:30 PM onwards Venue: Pathi Sabhangana, NR Colony, Bengaluru
Born into a musical family, Dhananjay Hegde began learning at four from his mother and went on to train for 14 years under Pt. Vinayak Torvi in the gurukul tradition. His style blends the Kirana and Gwalior gharanas. He is a recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. He has performed at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav and Tansen Samaroh, and has toured the USA, Australia, Singapore and Thailand. He is an A-graded artiste of All India Radio and Doordarshan.
Initiated into music by his father, Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, Omkarnath Havaldar trained under Pt. Madhava Gudi (Kirana) and Pt. Panchakshari Swami Mattigatti (Atrauli-Jaipur). He now studies Dhrupad and Khayal under Pt. Indudhar Nirody of the Agra Gharana. He is a National Award winner for Hindustani Classical Khayal Singing (All India Radio) and received the Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur Youth Award. He has performed at Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, Mysore Dasara Darbar Hall and Hampi Utsav, as well as at universities across the US. He has also served as a musical ambassador in Afghanistan and China.
Bengaluru-born Hiranmayee S was initiated into music by her mother at four. She trained for 15 years under Ustad Faiyaz Khan, and for five years as a scholar under Shri Arshad Ali Khan at ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata. She now learns from Omkarnath Havaldar. A recipient of the CCRT national scholarship and the NCPA Mumbai national scholarship (2023), she has won over 200 prizes in competitions. She has performed across Karnataka, Mumbai, Kochi and Kolkata, including at NCPA’s Tata Theatre and Prithvi Theatre, and has sung for Kannada films.
Aishwarya and Saundarya are great-granddaughters of Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi and granddaughters of Dr. Radha Viswanathan, carrying forward the MS tradition. Aishwarya is also an accomplished Veena player, while Saundarya plays the violin and is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. They have performed at the Prime Minister’s residence and the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. They have also sung across the USA, UK, Europe, Singapore and South Africa. Lata Mangeshkar and Ilaiyaraaja have both praised their singing.
