Smt. B. R. Geetha, Staff Artist, All India Radio Bangalore is retired on 30th April 2020. Smt. Geetha joined AIR Bangalore on 25th September, 1985 and completed 35 years of service. She was awarded in All India Radio "A Top grade in Light music, Music composer grade I, B-high Grade in Carnatic classical Vocal and B-Grade in Hindustani Classical music.
Smt. B. R. Geetha belongs to the famous "Belakawadi Family" a family of musicians dedicated to the field of Carnatic music, many members of which were 'Asthana Vidwans' in the erstwhile Mysore Palace.
Smt. Geetha was under the spell of music from the tender age and with great inclination to Carnatic classical music, she found an able, dedicated, devoted, learned guru, her father Sangeetha Vidwan Belakawadi Rangaswamy Iyengar, under whose guidance she gradually developed, blossomed and understood the intricacies of Carnatic vocal music.
With melodious voice and depth in music, Geetha has given a number of performances in different parts of Karnataka and its neighboring States, under the auspices of many prestigious performance.
- Gayana Samaja, Banalore
- Ganakala Parishat, Bangalore
- Sri Krishna Sangeetha Sabha, Mysore
- Jagnmohan Palace, Mysore
- Tyagaraja Gana Sabha
- Kalabhivardhini Sabha
- Gana Sudha, Shimoga and Bhadravathi
- Abhiruch Sabha, Bangalore
- Nada Sudha, Hubli
- Viveka Cultural Centre, Chennai. etc., etc.,
Many leading voilinsts and percussion artistes have accompanied Geetha.
Smt. Geetha also found a lot of interest developed towards Hindustani classical music. She has given a number of Hindustani classical concerts also, for example
She was performed number of programme in All India Radio and Doordarshan and featured a number of programmes.
- Hindustani Kalakar Mandali, Bangalore
- Sur Sagar, Bangalore
- Yuvanika, Bangalore
- Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore
- Renuka Sangeetha Vidyalaya, Hubli
- Shruit Sabha, Shimoga,
- Hindustani Sabha, Soraba,
- Hindustani Sabha, Sagar.
There are many audio cassettes featuring Smt. Geetha have been released, mainly
- Sri Hari Kaayo - Devotional songs
- Dasa Sahitya Parimala - Devotional songs
- Punyasthala Sri Dharmasthala - Devotional songs
- Sri. Ramachandra Suprabhatam - with Sri. Rajkumar Bharati
- Gavigangadhareshwara Suprabhtam- with Balu Sharma
- Ashta Shakti - Devotional songs.
Smt. B. R. Geetha has been invited as a judge to participate in the popular E-TV programme 'Ede Tumbi Haadvenu' hosted by Dr. S. P. Balasubramanyam.
During this Covid-19 period a informal send off was organised at HOP room. Smt. Nirmala Eligar said her unmatched contribution towards music section in All India Radio Bangalore is memorable permanently.
Throughout her outstanding career as a musician and for her contributions to music, many honors and recognition's came her way.
She is a very dedicated, hard working and disciplined employee of the organisation.
Prasar Bharati Parivar and all the Staff of All India Radio, Bangalore wish Smt. B. R. Geetha a very peaceful and healthy retirement life.
Contribution: K. Ashok, PEX, CRD, Bengaluru. Mob: 9449259218