The anniversary programmes of Hamsadhwani Creations have a special place in every rasika's diary. Apart from performances by eminent artists, the festival every year features performances by disciples of Vid M S Sheela. Hamsadhwani offers its tribute to the Mother Godess by conducting mass Lalithasahasranama Pooja followed by goshti gayana of devi krities by all the artists present on the occassion as part of the festival. Every year, a special feature is presented as part of the festivities. One such programme was 'Saptaswara choodamani' a special feature based on Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s work 'Srithathva Nidhi'. The concept was given shape by Vid M S Sheela and Vid Anooru Anantha Krishna Sharma. Another was ‘Nadasudha’, a special jugalbandi concert featuring Vid Sheela in Carnatic vocal and Vid Praveen Godkhindi in Hindustani flute. The theme for the Jugalbandi was a rare one, on ragas in both styles that share a common name, but differ structurally.

The 5th anniversary celebrations in September 2004 heralded the presentation of 'Hamsadhwani Puraskara', to felicitate doyens of Carnatic music. Who better than the grand old men of Carnatic music in Karantaka, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr R K Srikantan, and Sangeetha Vidyasaagara R R Keshavamurthy to receive the maiden honours! The next year's awardees were senior musicologist and writer Sangeetha kalarathna S Krishna Murthy & Veena maestro Prof R Visveswaran. The 7th anniversary saw veteran violinist Prof H V Krishnamurthy, and Vid G Rajanarayan, flautist and the innovative brain behind Radel Electronics.The eighth anniversary awardees were mridangam maestro Vid A V Anand and popular vocalist Sri Vidyabhushana. The 9th year Puraskaras went to musicians and musicologists Thirumale sisters, Vid T Sharada and Vid Dr Shachidevi. It is the first time that received the award. The 9th anniversary fest saw the release of the 6th volume of Vaggeya Vaibhava series (compositions of Mysore Composers sung by Gaanavaaridhi Vidushi M.S.Sheela & her disciples), a thematic special music feature on Navaratri(concept: Vid M S Sheela) in collaboration with Shatavadhani Dr R Ganesh with Vid Sheela on vocal along with an instrumental ensemble and a multimedia presentation.

10th anniversary celebrations

Hamsadhwani is all set to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a 3 day music festival on 20, 21 and 22 November 2009 at the Bangalore Gayana Samaja, Chamarajpet. This year’s Hamsadhwani Puraskaras go to Vid Mahadevappa, Ananya GML Cultural Academy and Vid Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma. The highlights of this year’s festival are violin trio by Vid Mahadevappa, Vid Nagaraj and Dr Manjunath, lec-dem and percussion ensemble directed by Vid Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma, vocal recital by Vid Pattabhiram Pandit, a unique Guru shishya vocal programme - Guruvandana by Sangeethakalanidhi Dr R K Srikantan and Ganakalashree Vid M S Sheela and performances by young talents.

Click here for detailed schedule.