The Udupa Foundation is a registered charitable trust founded by Ghatam Giridhar Udupa in 2015, with the aim of promoting music, performing arts and culture.
The Udupa Foundation, a passionate venture of internationally acclaimed artists from Bengaluru, India, endeavours to take this truth many steps forward to make sure India’s rich musical and performing arts inspire the future generations, continuing the traditions that have enriched our lives for centuries. The Foundation aims to drive a movement that will bring together art, artistes and art connoisseurs on a unique journey − the Kala Payana, of art and music.
The Foundation seeks to advance a concept of world art through creative collaborations to bring the best of various musical traditions that are present within all of us. To make this interface as inclusive as possible, Udupa Foundation is reaching out through diverse platforms and activities: teach, support, promote, disseminate and heal through art forms.
A special focus would be on the rural youth who are eager to learn the finer aspects of our culture. Udupa Foundation would be the interface connecting the young in rural India with their urban counterpart.
Upasana, the pledge
The inspiration for Udupa Foundation came from the work of Vidwan Ullur Nagendra Udupa who believed in imparting knowledge to all those keen to learn, irrespective of their financial or cultural backgrounds.
The Foundation intends to take this deeksha forward by opening, running and helping music schools, colleges and other music institutions. Realising that families of budding artistes are in dire need of economic support till such time the artistes are able to start earning decent incomes, the Foundation Trust plans to help them.
Healing through music is a unique initiative of the Foundation as is organizing events and performances in rural areas. To overcome the restricted representation of music, Udupa Foundation plans to organise innovative concerts to aid students and rasikas to learn and appreciate classical music. There are also plans to preserve and promote extinct musical instruments and art forms
Drishti, the goal
Udupa Foundation has pledged a long-term commitment to the world of art with these objectives:
- Ensure that music and culture is not beyond the reach of the underprivileged, awarding scholarships and helping them pursue education in performing arts.
- Make the entire effort inclusive and ensure participation of artistes from rural areas and hold programmes in remote parts of the country.
- Launch learning centres in rural and urban areas to create a stimulating environment for music and performing arts.
- Conceptualize and organize innovative public performances through national and international collaborations.
- Recognise and reward artistes and other professionals in the field including critics, research scholars, and musical instrument makers.
- Collaborate and research with selected Universities and schools across the globe. Partner with other organisations keen on taking this pledge forward.
- Heal through music by organizing events at rehabilitation centres and old age homes.
- Create an online archive and build a rich knowledge bank of various aspects pertaining to Indian performing arts.
- Complete commitment to all performing arts.
Kalakarmis, the team - Trustees
The inspiration for this artful journey comes from renowned Mridangam Vidwan Ullur Nagendra Udupa. One of the few percussion artistes from the Karavali region in Karnataka, Ullur Nagendra Udupa started his career as a Yakshagana artiste and embarked on a new payana in percussion art, after migrating from his home village to Bangalore with meagre resources. His determination and dedication to music brought him to the center stage of Carnatic classical percussions. With performances in over 5,000 concerts, Udupa is a keen teacher, dedicated to impart his knowledge to young learners. It was for this reason that he started an institution for training students in 1975.
His son and disciple, Ghatam Giridhar Udupa, an internationally renowned Ghatam player, is keen to take his father’s legacy higher and deeper. He has now conceptualised and set up “Udupa Foundation” with an objective to disseminate the inherited traditions of India to a larger audience.
Trustees
- Ghatam Giridhar Udupa
- Sandhya Udupa
- Bhargava Halambi
Education
Being true to their vision, Udupa Foundation has taken initiative to start educational courses under the tutelage of eminent and emerging artists from across Bengaluru. Under this, there are a variety of activities that one can engage in.
The foundation teaches South Indian percussions (Mridangam, Ghatam, and Konnakol), Carnatic Vocal and Dance (Bharatanatyam).
Outreach Programs
As part of this, the foundation organises and performs at various Government Institutes, NGO's, Corporates, and Wellness Centres to spread awareness about the classical art forms at large.
Master Classes and Workshops
To accentuate the learning at advanced levels and foster budding talent, the foundation brings together masters from various disciplines to conduct master classes, workshops and interactive sessions. The duration varies from day-long sessions to prolonged intensive camps.
UDUPA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016
UDUPA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2018
UDUPA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020
