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| Srimant Babaji Rajah Bhonsle |
Srimant Babaji Rajah Bhonsle fondly known as Raja Saheb, is the scion of erstwhile Thanjavur Maratha Samsthanam. He is a distinguished heritage conservationist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and cultural patron whose multifaceted contributions have significantly enriched the cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic fabric of Thanjavur and beyond.
Deeply committed to heritage preservation, Raja Saheb established the INTACH Thanjavur Chapter and was instrumental in setting up the INTACH chapters in Madurai and Salem. His dedication encompasses both tangible and intangible heritage, with a strong focus on art, architecture, environmental conservation, and cultural traditions. He along with his better half, Srimati Gayatri Raje Bhonsle, actively supports research scholars and students, encouraging the study and preservation of India's rich cultural legacy.
His passion for research is reflected in his support for scholars visiting the Saraswati Mahal Library from across India and abroad. By facilitating access to its invaluable archives, books, manuscripts, and documents, he promotes academic research while continuously expanding his own knowledge of developments in heritage and related fields.
An engineer by training, Raja Saheb brings over three decades of experience in management and strategic planning. He is the Director of PQSI Digital Pvt. Ltd. He serves as an advisor to Kumaraguru Institutions, TAPAMS Consulting Pvt. Ltd., and InnoHat Systems Pvt. Ltd., contributing his expertise to education, skill development, and consulting initiatives.
His initiatives have positively influenced tourism, infrastructure development, employment generation, and new opportunities for the youth of Thanjavur. Acting as a bridge between government and society, he encourages philanthropy and mobilises institutional support for public welfare.
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| Smt. Gayatri Raje Bhonsle |
Smt. Gayatri Raje Bhonsle was born and brought up in Baroda, Gujarat. She completed her graduation from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
She shares with her husband, Srimant Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, a deep interest in India’s heritage, culture, art, and traditions, with a particular focus on the rich cultural legacy of Thanjavur. As a member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), she actively supports and participates in initiatives connected with heritage conservation and cultural awareness.
She has been closely involved in facilitating the work of scholars, researchers and authors working on Thanjavur's history, culture, art and traditions. She extends support to researchers by helping them access relevant resources, connect with people and institutions, and facilitate permissions required for their academic work and publications.
She also supports students of architecture and related disciplines, particularly those undertaking educational and project tours in Thanjavur. She assists them in obtaining necessary permissions and facilitates their exposure to the region's important monuments, temples, heritage sites and traditional cultural practices.
With a strong interest in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), she is also working towards developing and creating content for school children, with the objective of introducing young minds to India's civilisational heritage, traditional knowledge, history, art and culture in an engaging and meaningful manner.
Through her continued involvement in heritage, education and cultural initiatives, Smt. Gayatri Raje Bhonsle seeks to encourage greater awareness and appreciation of Thanjavur's rich cultural legacy and to make its heritage accessible to scholars, students and the younger generation.
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| Dr. Sunitha Chandra kumar |
Dr. Sunitha Chandra kumar is a distinguished musician, music educator, composer, and cultural organiser with a lifelong dedication to the promotion of Kannada music and the arts. Born into a traditional and culturally inclined family in Mysuru, she developed an early interest in dance and music. Dr. Sunitha received training in dance for ten years under Guru Vishnudas and studied Karnataka classical music for over a decade under Vidushi Smt. Vijayalakshmi. She further trained in Sugama Sangeetha for twelve years under Smt. H. R. Leelavathi and Sri S. G. Raghuram. In the year 2000, she began teaching Sugama Sangeetha through Surabhi Gana Mandali in Mandya and later extended her musical activities to Mysuru. In honour of her gurus, she established the Raghuleela School of Music.
Since 2003, Dr. Sunitha has organised a variety of theme-based cultural programmes, earning appreciation for her systematic training, careful planning, and disciplined approach. Under her musical direction, more than 35 audio recordings have been released, including works featuring children's songs, folk songs, Bhavageethe, compositions of Kuvempu, Dr. H. S. Venkateshamurthy, D. V. Gundappa, and other noted Kannada writers.
She has participated in and organised numerous musical programmes and has contributed significantly to taking Kannada Sugama Sangeetha to wider audiences. In January 2017 she initiated the 'Nagara Sankeertana' wherein almost a hundred of her students walk in and around a temple singing in unison. This happens on the morning of first Sunday of the month. This has gone viral on social media.
Through her sustained work as a teacher, composer, organiser, and performer, Dr. Sunitha Chandrakumar continues to make a valuable contribution to the preservation and promotion of Kannada culture through Sugama Sangeetha.
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