Membership Form	Join Mailing List

Carnatic Music lovers of Long Island and the Five boroughs of New York, now have Shruti Laya to fulfill their dreams of listening to the favorite artists perform in their neighborhood! Our Mission: The promotion and propagation of Carnatic Musical and other closely related classical music and dance performing arts of India, especially among the second generation immigrants Membership Adults: Single: $55 Family $80 Addl. Adults (over 18) in same house: $25 Each Children under 18: FREE! 4 Free Concerts per year included in membership JOIN NOW BY FILLING UP THIS SIMPLE FORM Contact: coregroup@shrutilaya.org

The New York area has a large number of rasikas, with a deep interest in Carnatic music. It still gives them great pleasure to listen to this timeless music. Thanks to the many excellent teachers in this area, they are even able to ensure that their children learn this divine art.

Shruti Laya was started in April of 2008 to fill the needs of this large group of Rasikas. By the grace of Goddess Saraswathi and the support and enthusiasm of the rasikas, it had a hugely successful first year.

The Inaugural program of Shruti Laya was held on May 22 2008, featuring the one and only Sri. T.M.Krishna who began his concert with these words of encouragement. This was followed by four more major concerts by Sri.Seshachary (who composed a pallavi for the occasion in Vagadeeshwari "Saraswathi Namostute, Shruti Laya Nivasine". You can hear a segment at our home page), Sri.Sanjay Subrahmanyan, Smt.Ranjani and Smt.Gayatri, and Sri. Ravi Kiran (who also composed another pallavi on Shruti Laya! You can hear this here. We also introduced upcoming artists like Smt. Nishtala Krishnaveni and Sri Shenkottai Hari in solo concerts, and young American talents like Kum.Rajna Swaminathan, Chi. Akhay Ananthapadmanabhan and Chi. Suhas Rao as accompanists.

The culmination of the first year's activities was an Annamacharya Day program. In this program, we offered young students of the classical arts - Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi - an opportunity to perform on stage in front of an encouraging and appreciative audience. The participation was overwhelming - over 100 participants took to the stage - and helped us finish on a high note.

Shruti Laya has also been a cheerleader for all music and dance programs in our area, presented by any organization or individual. Through our website and mailing list, we have tried our best to provide publicity and visibility to all these great cultural happenings in our neighbourhood.

The basic objective of Shruti Laya is the "promotion and propagation of Carnatic Musical and other closely related classical music and dance performing arts of India, especially among the second generation immigrants". We want to provide a feast of fine music to the adults, and also make sure that this divine art does not die out with our generation, by encouraging and educating our children to appreciate and perform Carnatic music.

We decided on a few basic principles. Costs will be kept as low as possible, by cultivating a large member base. Children (18 and under) will have free admission to all concerts and programs of Shruti Laya. There will be four Major Concerts per year, which shall be free for members of Shruti Laya. Membership in Shruti Laya will be $50 for a single adult, or $75 for a couple. Additional adults (over 18) in the same household, such as college going children, parents or inlaws, will be charged $25 each. In essence, the members are pre-paying for a year's worth of concerts, at a very reasonable rate. By keeping the membership fee low, we hope to allow a large number of people enjoy the programs.

As we look forward to the year 2009, we know we can count on the same enthusiastic support from our Rasikas. Please join Shruti Laya, and donate generously to support our activities. We recently got our Tax Exempt status 501(c)(3) from the IRS (backdated to the formation of the organization), so all donations are tax deductable. Reduce your tax bills, and indulge your passion at the same time.

As Rasikas who are very much interested in Carnatic music, and in the idea of preserving this music for later generations to enjoy, please join us in taking Shruti Laya forward. And please spread the news to all your friends who are interested in Carnatic music.

Together, we can make this dream a reality!

Sreenadh Jonnavithula (631) 462-2814

Sumati Sumangali (631) 864-4668

Suhasini Jonnavithula (631) 462-2814

The primary objective of this organization will be the promotion and propagation of Carnatic Musical and other closely related classical music and dance performing arts of India, especially among the second generation immigrants, within the meaning of a 501(c)(3) organization in the IRS Code) in the United States. In order to accomplish this, the organization will engage in activities such as (but not limited to)

1. Arranging performances by established and accomplished practitioners of Carnatic music, including sponsoring such performers from India or other countries

2. Provide a forum for performances by students of Carnatic music or other talented local artists.

3. Hold competitive events to encourage learning of Carnatic music and recognize talent.

4. Promote, encourage and support education, research and teaching activities in Carnatic music and closely related classical music and dance performing arts of India.

5. Operate a website to disseminate knowledge of Carnatic music, form a resource for use by teachers and students of Carnatic music and act as a repository for recordings of performances by members and local artists.

6. Sponsor and encourage other classical music and dance traditions of India.