Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu | Ilaiyaraaja Tribute Concert in Bengaluru
About the Event

Following the resounding success of the 2024 and 2025 tributes to legendary composer Shri Ilaiyaraaja, MARS Ent. presents “Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu”, a grand musical celebration dedicated to some of the most memorable Kannada compositions associated with his extraordinary musical legacy.

Scheduled for October 24, 2026, at the iconic Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru, the concert brings together an accomplished team of instrumentalists, vocalists, and choir performers for an evening centred around timeless Kannada melodies.

The concert will feature more than 13 accomplished instrumentalists, led by a distinguished group of musicians:

Shri Praveen D Rao – Composer & Conductor
Shri Srinivas Achar Dammur – Guitarist & Composer
Shri Umesh V Murthy – Keyboard Player
Shri Arun Kumar C – Drummer, Rhythms Section

The string section will feature Shri A.R. Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra, adding another expansive musical layer to the performance.

The vocal lineup brings together Shree Harsha, Ankita Kundu, Shwetha Hiremath, Damodar Naik, Harsha Ranjini, and Indian Idol fame Sreenidhi G Shastry, supported by the choir ensemble Vāditra, under Vijay Narendra and Archana Nagaraj.

Adding a meaningful social dimension to the evening, a portion of the proceeds from the concert will go towards the welfare initiatives of the Karnataka Artistes’ Association (KAA), a non-profit organisation committed to supporting artists across music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.

MARS Ent. Presents Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu on October 24, 2026, from 6:00 PM onwards at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru.

A Tribute to Shri Ilaiyaraaja

Shri Ilaiyaraaja is one of India's most celebrated composers, and his music has played a defining role in Indian cinema and popular culture.

Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu continues a tribute journey that began with earlier editions in 2024 and 2025.

The concert is designed to celebrate the enduring appeal of his musical compositions through a live presentation featuring orchestral arrangements, instrumental performances, vocal performances, and choir support.

For listeners who have grown up with these melodies, the concert offers an opportunity to revisit cherished musical memories. For newer audiences, it provides a live introduction to the depth and variety of this repertoire.

Celebrating Kannada Musical Memories

The focus of Geetanjali is on iconic Kannada compositions, bringing familiar melodies into a dedicated live concert environment.

Kannada film music has a rich cultural and emotional connection with audiences, and the songs associated with celebrated composers often remain part of listeners' memories long after their original release.

This concert creates an opportunity to experience those melodies through a carefully assembled team of musicians and vocalists.

The live format allows audiences to appreciate not only the songs themselves but also the instrumental arrangements, vocal interpretations, orchestration, and ensemble performance behind them.

Over 13 Accomplished Instrumentalists

The concert features more than 13 instrumentalists, creating a broad musical ensemble for the evening.

Leading the instrumental and musical direction are:

Shri Praveen D Rao – Composer & Conductor

Shri Praveen D Rao leads the musical direction of the concert as Composer & Conductor, helping bring together the various instrumental and vocal sections into a cohesive live performance.

Shri Srinivas Achar Dammur – Guitarist & Composer

Shri Srinivas Achar Dammur, a guitarist and composer, forms another important part of the concert's instrumental lineup.

Shri Umesh V Murthy – Keyboard Player

Shri Umesh V Murthy contributes to the performance as the featured keyboard player.

Shri Arun Kumar C – Drummer

Shri Arun Kumar C leads the rhythms section as the concert's drummer, contributing to the rhythmic foundation of the live arrangements.

Together with the wider instrumental ensemble, these musicians form the backbone of the concert's musical presentation.

Strings by Sunshine Orchestra

The string section for the concert is listed as Shri A.R. Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra.

Strings can add depth, texture, movement, and orchestral scale to musical arrangements, making them an important element of a large-format concert.

Their presence adds another dimension to the presentation of the Kannada melodies featured in Geetanjali.

A Stellar Vocal Lineup

The concert features a diverse group of vocalists who will bring the featured compositions to life on stage.

The lineup includes:

Shree Harsha
Ankita Kundu
Shwetha Hiremath
Damodar Naik
Harsha Ranjini
Sreenidhi G Shastry – Indian Idol fame

The vocal performances form a central part of the evening, complementing the instrumental ensemble and bringing the melodies into a live concert setting.

Supported by Choir Ensemble Vāditra

Adding another collective vocal layer to the event is the choir ensemble Vāditra.

The ensemble is presented under the guidance of Vijay Narendra and Archana Nagaraj.

The inclusion of a choir expands the overall vocal texture of the concert and contributes to the larger ensemble presentation planned for the evening.

With solo and ensemble vocals working alongside the instrumentalists and strings, Geetanjali is structured as a full-scale musical celebration.

A Grand Concert at Chowdiah Memorial Hall

The event takes place at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru, a well-known venue associated with musical and cultural performances.

The hall will host an evening bringing together singers, instrumentalists, composers, conductors, a choir ensemble, and strings for a dedicated tribute presentation.

For audiences attending the concert, the venue provides the setting for experiencing these familiar melodies as a live performance rather than simply through recordings.

A Journey Through Timeless Melodies

The appeal of a tribute concert lies in the opportunity to experience familiar music in a new live setting.

Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu is designed around that idea, presenting Kannada compositions through a large ensemble of musicians and vocalists.

The concert combines:

Vocals + Orchestra + Strings + Rhythm + Choir + Live Performance

This combination allows the audience to hear the melodies through multiple musical layers while remaining rooted in the compositions being celebrated.

Continuing the Geetanjali Tribute Journey

The 2026 concert follows the success of the 2024 and 2025 tribute editions.

This continuation reflects the sustained interest in celebrating the music associated with Shri Ilaiyaraaja through dedicated live performances.

The latest edition builds on that journey while bringing together another carefully assembled team of performers for an evening of Kannada music.

For returning audiences, it continues a familiar celebration. For first-time attendees, it offers an opportunity to become part of the Geetanjali musical experience.

Supporting the Karnataka Artistes’ Association

The concert also carries a social and artistic purpose beyond the performance itself.

A portion of the proceeds will go towards welfare initiatives of the Karnataka Artistes’ Association (KAA).

KAA is described as a non-profit organisation committed to supporting artists across several creative disciplines, including:

Music
Dance
Theatre
Visual arts

By contributing a portion of the proceeds towards artist welfare initiatives, the event connects the celebration of music with broader support for the artistic community.

What to Expect at Geetanjali
Ilaiyaraaja Tribute

Experience an evening dedicated to the compositions of legendary composer Shri Ilaiyaraaja.

Kannada Melodies

Enjoy iconic Kannada compositions presented through live musical arrangements.

Large Instrumental Ensemble

The concert features more than 13 accomplished instrumentalists.

Live Orchestra and Strings

Experience a broad instrumental sound supported by the string section listed as Sunshine Orchestra.

Multiple Vocalists

Enjoy performances by six featured vocalists, including Indian Idol fame Sreenidhi G Shastry.

Choir Performance

The vocal lineup is supported by choir ensemble Vāditra, under Vijay Narendra and Archana Nagaraj.

Composer and Conductor

The concert is led musically by Shri Praveen D Rao as Composer & Conductor.

Artist Welfare Initiative

A portion of the proceeds will support welfare initiatives of the Karnataka Artistes’ Association.

Artist Lineup

Shri Praveen D Rao – Composer & Conductor
Shri Srinivas Achar Dammur – Guitarist & Composer
Shri Umesh V Murthy – Keyboard Player
Shri Arun Kumar C – Drummer, Rhythms Section

Vocalists

Shree Harsha
Ankita Kundu
Shwetha Hiremath
Damodar Naik
Harsha Ranjini
Sreenidhi G Shastry – Indian Idol fame

Choir Ensemble

Vāditra, under Vijay Narendra and Archana Nagaraj

Strings

Sunshine Orchestra, listed as Shri A.R. Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra

Why Experience Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu?
For Fans of Ilaiyaraaja

The concert provides an opportunity to celebrate the music of one of India's most renowned composers in a dedicated live setting.

For Kannada Music Lovers

The performance focuses on iconic Kannada compositions and timeless melodies.

For Live Music Audiences

Experience vocals, strings, instrumentalists, rhythm, and choir coming together on one stage.

For Music and Cinema Enthusiasts

Enjoy a musical evening built around compositions that have contributed to the cultural memory of Kannada cinema.

For Those Who Value Artist Support

A portion of proceeds from the concert will support welfare initiatives of the Karnataka Artistes’ Association.

Event Date, Time and Venue

Event: Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu
Presented by: MARS Ent.
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM onwards
Venue: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru
Age Limit: 5+ years

The event begins at 6:00 PM onwards, with audiences invited to experience an evening dedicated to Kannada melodies and the musical legacy of Shri Ilaiyaraaja.

Event Highlights
Tribute to legendary composer Shri Ilaiyaraaja
Continuation of the successful 2024 and 2025 tribute editions
Iconic Kannada compositions
More than 13 accomplished instrumentalists
Composer & Conductor Shri Praveen D Rao
Guitarist & Composer Shri Srinivas Achar Dammur
Keyboard Player Shri Umesh V Murthy
Drummer Shri Arun Kumar C
String section featuring Sunshine Orchestra
Vocal performances by Shree Harsha, Ankita Kundu, Shwetha Hiremath, Damodar Naik, Harsha Ranjini, and Sreenidhi G Shastry
Choir ensemble Vāditra
Guided by Vijay Narendra and Archana Nagaraj
Portion of proceeds supporting Karnataka Artistes’ Association welfare initiatives
Venue: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM onwards
Age limit: 5+ years
Event Details at a Glance

Event Name: Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu
Presented By: MARS Ent.
Theme: Ilaiyaraaja Tribute
Date: 24 October 2026
Time: 6:00 PM onwards
Venue: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru
Age Limit: 5+ years
Music: Kannada compositions and tribute performances
Instrumentalists: 13+
Featured Vocalists: Shree Harsha, Ankita Kundu, Shwetha Hiremath, Damodar Naik, Harsha Ranjini, Sreenidhi G Shastry
Choir: Vāditra
Social Initiative: Portion of proceeds towards KAA welfare initiatives

Entry and Admission Guidelines

By accepting, holding, or using a ticket, the ticket holder acknowledges that they have read, understood, accepted, and agreed to the complete terms and conditions of the event.

The organiser reserves the right of admission and may alter the event schedule without prior intimation.

Entry is permitted only after a thorough security check and through specified entrances.

Re-entry is not permitted.

The event has an age limit of 5+ years.

Prohibited Items and Security Checks

The venue does not permit the following items inside the venue or seating area:

Eatables and food items
Drinks and liquids
Bottles
Cans and tins
Bags
Lighters
Matchboxes
Matches
Flammable items
Illegal or hazardous substances

These are classified as Prohibited Items under the supplied event terms.

Ticket holders' belongings will be searched at entry.

If a ticket holder does not consent to the required search and/or is found carrying prohibited items, they may be denied entry without refund or other compensation.

Drug-Free Event

This is a drug-free event.

Any ticket holder found using, procuring, possessing, supplying, or consuming drugs, narcotics, or psychotropic substances as defined under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, at the event may be immediately evicted from the venue without refund or compensation.

The organiser reserves the right to initiate all available legal proceedings and actions against such ticket holders as permitted by law.

Behaviour and Admission Policy

The organiser reserves the right to refuse admission or eject a ticket holder who:

Appears intoxicated
Is under the influence of drugs
Behaves dangerously or inappropriately
Engages in behaviour likely to harass others
Causes or risks damage or injury
Creates nuisance or disruption

The organiser's decision in such matters shall be final.

Photography and Recording

The use of audio and/or video equipment, including still cameras and other recording equipment, is strictly prohibited.

Attendees must follow the applicable venue and event rules concerning photography and recording.

Alcohol Regulations

In accordance with applicable law, visitors below the legally permissible age limit are not permitted to purchase or sample alcoholic drinks.

All attendees must follow applicable legal and venue regulations regarding alcohol.

Ticket and Refund Policy

The ticket is issued according to the rules and regulations of the event organiser and venue management.

Except as specifically provided, the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, cancelled, or returned once purchased.

If the organiser cancels the performance, the ticket fee will be refunded.

Other charges associated with the performance, including:

Parking fees
Per-ticket internet handling fees
Per-order processing fees

remain non-refundable.

The organiser and venue are not liable for difficulties caused by unauthorised copies or reproductions of the ticket.

The ticket is also invalid for entry if the security features affixed to it have been tampered with.

Personal Safety and Property

The organiser does not accept responsibility for any injury caused to persons or for any loss or damage to personal property brought to the event.

Attendees are advised to take appropriate care of their personal belongings and follow venue safety instructions.

Communicable Disease Risk

Ticket holders voluntarily assume all risks, hazards, and dangers related to contracting COVID-19, H1N1 and/or its variants, or any other communicable disease or illness, including illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens.

Such risks may occur before, during, or after the event, however caused or contracted.

Ticket holders voluntarily waive applicable claims and potential claims against the organiser arising from such risks, subject to applicable law.

Force Majeure and Event Changes

The event is subject to force majeure conditions.

The organiser may alter the event schedule without prior intimation and may modify these terms and conditions from time to time at its discretion.

Any secondary performances, if applicable, and the lineup are subject to the artist's discretion.

Privacy and Information Collection

To maintain a high-quality user experience, the organiser may collect certain information during booking, registration, or payment.

This may include personally identifiable information such as:

Name
Email address
Telephone number

Such information may be collected in accordance with the applicable Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Jurisdiction

Any dispute or claim relating to the event shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Mumbai.

Experience Geetanjali Live

Geetanjali – Belli Tereya Bangarada Swaragalu is a celebration of Kannada melodies and the enduring musical legacy of Shri Ilaiyaraaja.

Following the tribute editions presented in 2024 and 2025, the 2026 concert brings together a large ensemble of instrumentalists, vocalists, strings, and choir performers for an evening of live music at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru.

With musical direction led by Shri Praveen D Rao, instrumental performances from Shri Srinivas Achar Dammur, Shri Umesh V Murthy, and Shri Arun Kumar C, strings by Sunshine Orchestra, and vocal performances from Shree Harsha, Ankita Kundu, Shwetha Hiremath, Damodar Naik, Harsha Ranjini, and Sreenidhi G Shastry, the concert presents a richly layered live musical experience.

The performance is further supported by Vāditra, under Vijay Narendra and Archana Nagaraj.

Beyond the music, a portion of the proceeds will support welfare initiatives of the Karnataka Artistes’ Association, connecting the evening's tribute to a wider effort to support artists across music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.

Join Geetanjali on October 24, 2026, from 6:00 PM onwards at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru, and experience an evening of timeless Kannada melodies, live orchestration, and musical nostalgia.