Bangalore Gayana Samaja

Bangalore Gayana Samaja is one of the oldest cultural organisations in India and the oldest continuously operational sabha (arts society) in the country, founded on 5 August 1905. The institution is dedicated to the preservation, propagation and teaching of Indian classical music and dance traditions. The organisation conducts year-round concerts, lecture demonstrations and an annual music conference featuring senior Carnatic and Hindustani artists. Its programmes cover Carnatic vocal, Hindustani vocal, devotional music, Harikatha, folk music and theatre, alongside Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi and Manipuri dance forms. A dedicated annual music competition, established in 1951, is one of its flagship activities for young learners across Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior age groups in vocal, instrumental and percussion disciplines. The Samaja also confers the Sangeetha Kala Rathna and Yuva Kala Rathna titles to recognise distinguished and emerging musicians. Its auditorium on K.R. Road in Basavanagudi was extensively renovated in 2017 with modern acoustics and seating, and the Samaja publishes a monthly journal titled Gayana Samrajya documenting classical music scholarship.