As a historical first, Gangadhara Sastry’s rendering of Sampoorna Bhagavadgita of 700 slokas (with meaning in Telugu) scores as the most prestigious and exemplary presentation of the Gita.
With a holy intent that The Gita as musical rendition started by a Telugu singer should be completed by another Telugu musician, this is an unprecedented effort by Gangadhara Sastry As a votive musical offering to the Bhagavadgita itself, considered a rule book by India, Gangadhara Sastry is the first Indian singer to come out with this kind of an effort.
Sampoorna Bhavadgita, started by the popular cine singer and music director Gangadhara Sastry is an 18 audio CD volume, each for the 18 chapters of the Gita. The immortal singer Ghantasala had sung an excerpt of 106 from the 700 slokas which HMV had released on April 21, 1974 as a gramophone record. This magnificent beginning was picked up and Gangadhara Sastry, under his own music direction and with his own composition, embarked on the task of rendition of the complete Bhagavadgita of 700 slokas along with meanings in Telugu on June 25, 2006.
An untiring effort, deep and wide research and usage of the latest recording techniques and technologies has resulted in a wonderful mix of extreme sonorousness. That this has been acclaimed by stalwarts across a variety of fields as one that will be etched in golden letters in the history of Indian music is worth a mention here.
Some of the noteworthy and attractive features of this 8-year marathon effort:
As a mark of reverence to the Great Ghantasala, retaining the 106 slokas sung by him in the exact form and format, the remaining slokas along with meanings in Telugu have been have been composed, rendered and recorded by Gangadhara Sastry.
Over 100 pundits, musicians, technical experts and spiritually minded people have contributed their expertise and service to this project. The project had the good fortune of being under the direct and personal supervision of stalwarts such as Padmasree Mahamahopadyaya Shri Pullela Sriramachandrudu, Samskrita Mitra Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu, Acharya Shri Korada Subrahmaniam. It is also noteworthy that Shri Janardhan, the sitarist, Shri ‘HMV’ Raghu, Music Director Shri Sangeeta Rao who had worked with Ghantasala’s Bhagavadgita project have contributed to this project in an honorary capacity.
An excellent mix of Karnatic, Hindustani classical, light, folk and western genres of music and usage of the most modern recording and mixing techniques such as Dolby Digital 5.1 bring uniqueness.
Other specials in this Bhagavadgita project include prelude to each chapter with an explanation of the chapter’s essential contents, a theme music for the chapter and a Krishna Bhajan at the the end of the chapter.
This is the first time that a musician has sung an exemplary philosophical work along with meanings of each sloka in his own musical composition with the recording done in the best and most modern technology.
As a sequel to the rendition of meanings inTelugu and in a similar manner, Sampoorna Bhagavadgita will also be released in Hindi, English and other languages of the world such as German, Russian, French, Japanese, etc.
An audio release of Sampoorna Bhavadgita will be held in a grand function on July 29, 2015, at Silpakala Vedika, Madhapur, Hyderabad in the august presence of stalwarts in the fields of Spirituality, politics, cinema, industry, culture, education, health, sports. As an added attraction the function includes attractive cultural programs by famous artists.
Even before the release:
Gangadhara Sastry through his excellent rendering of the Gita has moved my heart. He will have an important role in the promotion and propagation of Sanatana Dharma – Sri Viswayogi Viswamji Maharaj
The way Gangadhara Sastry has rendered the Bhagavan’s Bhagavadgita is wonderful.. Words cannot express the feeling… It seemed that mantras have manifested in a physical form… As Siva, with poison arrested in his throat has bestowed nectar to the universe, Gangadhara Sastry has given Gitamruta to the world – Sri Paripurnanda swami, Sripeetham, Kakinada
It is real penance that an ordinary person, for 6 long years has dedicated himself completely to render all 700 slokas of the Gita. One does not know how his family was taken care of. Good deeds never go wasted is Bhagavan’s saying the Gita. So, Gangadhara Satry’s Gita will definitely reach its purpose. – Sri Swaroopananda Saraswati Swami
All the emotions that Arjuna must have expressed in slokas while witnessing Sri Krishna’s Viswaroopa, I could feel in Gangadhara Sastry’s rendering. The music has made me spell-bound – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
It is said that one gets punya by taking a holy dip in the Ganga. By bathing in Gangadhara’s Bhagavadgita, it seems that one gets the same punya. When one listens to the Viswaroopa episode sung by Gangadhara Sastry it seems as if you it is happening right in front of us. I have never heard such singing that has taken me to a elevated sphere. – HE Sri ESL Narasimhan, Governor
My heart is effulgent when I hear Gangadhara Sastry’s Gita Slokas. Particularly the Viswarupa Sandarshana Yogam has an electrifying effect that has given me strength of a 1000 elephants. With the energy that is acquired will help me execute all activities I undertake in the future – Sri M Venkaiah Naidu, BJP Leader
I am aware of this Magnum Opus undertaken by Gangadhara Sastry from its beginning. This endeavor of his to bring the Gita to the people is wonderful. His songs are very dear to me and my wife Annapurna. Our wish with my heart that his attempt to bring forth all the enjoyment he has derived to others will succeed to a 100%..... – Sri Akkineni Nageswara Rao
In the same manner as how Sri Krishna would have spoken to Arjuna in conveying his message of duty-mindedness, Gangadhara Satry has been able to convey all that through his musical composition to people at large. May his name also gain the popularity of Bhagavadgita. – Pasmavinhushan Sri Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna
At the time when Ghantasala who had sung 108 slokas of the Bhagavadgita which is considered as an address for Bharata and passed away, and one was wondering as to who would do justice to the Gita in its entirety, Gangadhara Sastry had taken birth to complete it with all the qualities of pronunciation, tone, tune and bhakti. His hard work is reflected in his rendering of Sampoorna Bhagavadgita. I congratulate Gangadhara Sastry for the excellent work. – Padmabhushan Dr C Narayana Reddy
I am proud that Gangadhara Sastry, the person I introduced as a cinema singer has given to the world Sampoorna Bhagavadgita. If he has utilized this time in singing for the cinema field he would have amassed a lot of wealth. But foregoing that opportunity he has vowed to bring the Gita to the world is to be appreciated. The quality in rendering of the slokas, meaning, music composition and orchestration is such that this will have no match for generations to come. – Drashakaratna Sri Dasari Narayana Rao
The boon India has given to the world is Bhagavadgita that has not only meditation but also knowledge at its core. The immortal Ghantasala had given us a taste of it in his beautiful tone with an excerpt of 106 out of 700 slokas. The work started by this Ganagandharva has been carried out to its completion by Gangadhara Sastry. When I listen to Gangadhara Sastry’s rendering I am able to visualize the soul of Bhagavadgita. I wish him all the success in bringing it to the people in all the world languages. – Sri Ramoji Rao, Chairman, Eenadu Group of companies
Our Gangadhara Sastry is elevated to the heights of purity and his life is filled to the brim by singing Sampoorna Bhagavadgita. This penance of his with purity at heart and complete dedication to this work will remain forever in the hearts of Telugu People. This work is a dedication to the world by a Telugu artist is to be appreciated– Padmabhushan Sri Chiranjeevi, Rajyasabha Member
I am immersed in joy by listening to the rendering of the great Bhagavadgita by Gangadhara Sastry in his special way that is very different from all that I have heard people sing the Gita. Viswaroopa Darshana, in particular is very very inspiring– Padmasree Dr K Viswanath
The Gita Slokas in Sanskrit and the meanings in Telugu have been rendered with absolute clarity in pronunciation and quality of recording. The tones and notes seem to flow, reflecting the inner meaning of Bhagavadgita. – Smt S Janaki
When my father’s Bhagavadgita LP record was released, our entire family sat in a closed room with lights switched off and listened to it. It seemed that he was singing from the skies. Now when we listen to Sri Gangadhars Sastry’s rendering it seems that Bhagavan himself is talking to us. ‘Excellent work. Our gratitude. You have fulfilled our father’s dream. He started, you have completed.’ He will be remembered for this work as we remember my father for his Gita. – Smt Syamala, Ghantasala’s daughter.
