Music Tradition Among Chitrapur Saraswats

In my article, on Chitrapur Saraswats I had pointed out several achievements of this diminishing branch of bigger Dakshinatya Saraswat community. Their total number in the entire world counts at 25,000 souls. One more record of accomplishments is here. The total number of musicians, dancers, (music critics and organizers included) in this directory, stands at 322. Besides there are 93 young, up-coming and budding artists who are already making a name. In this volume, an in born trait of this tribe is quite evident.

It is really fruitful effort, a painstaking job of immense patience to have collected the material about all the artistes, scattered throughout the world. 44 artistes, about whom information is not forthcoming, are also listed separately.

The directory is verily a mine of information (biodata) not only about individual artistes but contains valuable articles on tradition of music among Chitrapur Saraswats. The role of Chitrapur Saraswats in Sangeet Sabhas, some rare photographs and category-wise statistics are included.

The Kanara Saraswat Association, which has so many Firsts is to its credit, has added one more feather to its cap in its 96th year (established in 1911) by publishing this directory. It is a coordinated effort of all members/office bearers of KSA settled in different cities.

It is dedicated to Mohan Nadkarni (85, my uncle ) for his "service of five decades as a music critic, author, connoisseur, musicologist and patron of music".

The cover page of Goddess Saraswati in the map of ancient land of Saraswats and their final settlement in South is well-conceived, but rather dull in print.

It is priced at Rs. 300/-.