BRIDGEWATER, NJ (TIP): The Deputy Speaker of New Jersey Assembly Upendra Chivukula conferred the title Sangeetha Samrat on eminent Carnatic musician Padma Shri Sudha Raghunathan for her contribution to Indian music and also for taking the music globally during her Morning Raaga concert organized by Jana Seva, a non-profit organization, at Edward Nash auditorium in Raritan Valley Community Center, Branchburg, New Jersey on May 11.

One of India‘s top most guitarist Amit Heri who plays with Oscar-awardee A R Rahman was conferred the title Vadhya Shiromani, mridangist and tour organizer Tiruvarur Vaidhyanathan was presented with Laya Vadhya Shiromani and excellence awards to B V Raghavendra Rao (violin); N Guru Prasad (ghatam); Karl Peters (bass guitar) and Arun Kumar (Western drums). In his brief address, Chivukula praised the efforts of Jana Seva for its social causes and applauded Sudha Raghunathan’s musical virtuosity and for promoting Carnatic music all over the world.

The concert is a series of a seven-city tour co-sponsored by Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Committee and proceeds of the fusion concert will be spent on constructing schools for the underprivileged children, orphanage, old age homes and goshalas in India, said L Shanti Kumar, founder of Jana Seva.

The passion and experience of Sudha Ragunathan with her golden voice, mixed with the dexterity of Amit Heri on the lead guitar and the musical creativity of other leading musicians brought out an eclectic and enigmatic fusion of modern and classical music that enthralled the audience and the artists had a conversation with each other through the music they played- with no bar on nationality, age or seniority. This unique fusion concert was attended by music lovers from New Jersey and neighboring states.