D For Divine Singer KJ Yesu Das at Dhyana Mandiram

Dhyana Mandiram was built in 1956 on a small hillock, nearby the main temple of Bhadrachalam. The foundation stone was laid by the Late Dr. Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan (President of India). The driving force behind it was Dr. Neelamraju Venkata Seshayya. He was the editor of Andhra Prabha in those days. Through its very name, we can understand that the building is for Dhyana or Meditation. Devotees used to come here after having Darshanam in the main temple of Lord Rama. Bhadrachalam is considered as the South Ayodhya, that's why devotees come here from far and wide.

                           Way to Dhyana Mandiram

Dhyana Mandiram usually looks very serene and the walls inside are adorned with the Keertanas by Saint Ramadasa. There is a large hall in the building where traditional music recitals would take place and music lovers will be visiting without fail. Particularly on auspicious days like Sri Rama Navami, Mukkoti Ekadasi and other ones, many prominent musical wizards like K.J. Yesudas, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Bhim sen Joshi, S.P. Balasubrhamanyam, Dr. Mangalampalli etc. used to perform in the hall and in course of time, the venue shifted to Kalyana Mandapam and Chitra kuta mandapam.

And it has become a past glory. Almost three decades back, we have had the luxury of seeing and listening to such stalwarts. I am clueless as to why such programs are not being performed nowadays. Musicians and dancers are coming now for every important festival for giving performances but there is no sign of such great legends to witness. For the first time, I closely watched  KJ Yesudas, the legendary singer, in my life here in the musical recital. He was very kind to the people, when a person was trying to enter the VIP gallery, intercepted by a security guard, on seeing it KJ Yesu Das waved his hand toward the guard to let him come in. That was a great memory.

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