Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Prince Rama Varma Turns Hyderabad Concert Into Shared Musical Journey
Prince Rama Varma gave a special music concert in Hyderabad to celebrate his birthday.
Many people came, and the hall became so crowded that some students joined him on stage.
The students sang songs they had learned in his workshops.
The concert included songs in several languages and by both famous and less familiar composers.
Varma explained the stories and meanings behind many of the songs.
He also shared funny memories of his teacher, Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna.
The musicians played devotional, philosophical and joyful pieces for almost three hours.
The audience sang, clapped and applauded, making the event feel like a shared celebration of music.
Prince Rama Varma’s annual birthday concert in Hyderabad brought together students, audiences and accompanists in an unusually participatory performance.
The August 16 concert at Saptaparni Cultural Centre continued a cherished tradition and lasted almost three hours.
Varma presented compositions by celebrated and lesser-known composers, including Swathi Tirunal, Vatsala Ramaswamy and Yedla Ramadasa.
Students joined Varma on stage when the crowded auditorium ran out of space, creating a spontaneous chorus across languages and generations.
Performances by Varma, mridangam player B. Harikumar and violinist S.R. Vinnu were supported by contributions from students and well-wishers rather than major sponsors.
- Who
- Prince Rama Varma, his students, accompanists B. Harikumar and S.R. Vinnu, and the Hyderabad audience.
- What
- An annual birthday concert featuring Carnatic songs, explanations, student participation and performances across several languages.
- When
- Sunday, August 16; the year is not specified in the article.
- Where
- Saptaparni Cultural Centre in Hyderabad.
- Why
- The concert was held to celebrate Prince Rama Varma’s birthday and honor his musical legacy through contributions from students and well-wishers.
- Main performer
- Prince Rama Varma
- Venue
- Saptaparni Cultural Centre, Hyderabad
- Occasion
- Annual birthday concert
- Concert length
- Almost three hours
- Featured main piece
- Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna’s “Meenakshi Jayada Varada”
- Student participation
- Workshop participants joined Varma on stage and sang along
- Funding
- Contributions from students and well-wishers, rather than big-ticket sponsors