Released on: February 26, 2008, 4:07 am

Press Release Author: Dr BR Natarajan

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: For Ragamalikans of this Institute located in the heart of
the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, Sangamam is indeed a mission with passion

Press Release Body: Among the Music Festivals of India although much has been
written about the Chembai Music Festival, Dover Lane Music Festival, Gunidas Sangit
Sammelan, ITC SangeetSammelan, Saptak Music Festival, Sawai Gandharva Sangeet
Mahotsav, Tansen Music Festival, Thyagaraja Music Festival etc not much has been
written about Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani Rajasthan\'s
Sangamam.

Ragamalika, the classical dance and music club of BITS, Pilani was established in
1990 by a group of enthusiastic students and faculty with the purpose of nurturing
India\'s rich heritage and carrying forward the Indian tradition by advocating the
opulence of Indian fine arts. Ragamalika is passionately dedicated to the cause of
promotion of classical music and dance amongst the BITSian public.

Ragamalika conducts cultural programmes and concerts in Pilani throughout the year.
Its members are actively involved in the organization as well as the management of
all activities related to the events, apart from participating in the performances
themselves.

The most important programme organized by Ragamalika is SANGAMAM, a cultural
festival normally held in February every year at Pilani. It features eminent
artistes from all over the country performing for a cosmopolitan audience of over
4000.

In 2008, Sangamam marched proudly into its 12th year thanks to the continuing
support of well wishers and sponsors. The sponsors for this year Sangamam include
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Chennai based Shriram Group of Companies.

One of the highlights of Sangamam each year is a scintillating inaugural performance
by the hosts before the artistes take their bow on the center stage. For this year
Sangamam inauguration, Ragamalika chose episodes from Vana Parva - the twelve years
in exile in the forest by the Pandavas and Virata Parva - the one year in exile
spent incognito by the Pandavas at the court of King Virata from the great epic
Mahabharata for dancing. The inaugural performance was truly scintillating.

Scheduled from 22nd to 24th February 2008, this year\'s Sangamam featured Violin duet
by Lalgudi Shri G J R Krishnan and Lalgudi Smt Vijayalakshmi on the first day,
Jugalbandhi by Smt Jayanthi Kumaresh on Veena and Pandit Ronu Majumdar on Flute on
the seond day and Bharatha Natyam Ballet by Smt Shobhana Balachandra and Group on
the last day.

Sangamam 2008 has indeed surpassed the previous eleven years in terms of brilliance
and grandeur.

The delegates who had come from all over the world for the International Conference
on Interface of Chemistry - Biology in Biomedical Research at BITS Pilani were spell
bound by the mesmerizing inaugural show of Sangamam 2008.

About BITS Pilani: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani
Rajasthan which has set a bench mark in industry university collaboration is one
among the top ranking universities in India today offering degrees in various
disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa campuses and in the near future at
Hyderabad campus apart from an array of work integrated learning programmes for HRD
of a vast spectrum of Indian corporates.

Web Site: http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in

Contact Details: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)
Pilani (Rajasthan) 333031 India
Dr BR Natarajan
Professor & Dean
Email: brnt@bits-pilani.ac.in
Website: www.bits-pilani.ac.in
Phone: 91-1596-242210
Fax: 91-1596-244183