Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira
Promoting
Carnatic Music for over 50 years
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"..a stern person with Wisdom and Knowledge, striving for perfection in whatever he did...." - Vidwan R K Srikantan
Sri Vedanta Iyengar
Sri Vendata Iyengar's love for education and music combined with his spirituality and desire to work for social causes resulted in the establishment of "Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira" to promote the fine art of Carnatic Music.
Sri G Vedanta Iyengar was an affable gentleman with a bright mind and a warm heart. He was a byword for integrity and discipline. He was a man of concern, humanity and commitment, and had a progressive outlook in everything he did. He carried enormous insight with all simplicity and grace. His personality demanded no concessions for, and no tolerance of any eccentricity or pride. He was everything to his children.
He was born to middle-class parents who were interested in spiritual education and Carnatic music. Sri Iyengar's father, Sri Venkata Varada Iyengar was a violinist. As a student of English literature, he used to speak only in English and was very fluent with the language. He had the good fortune of becoming a favourite student of Prof. C R Reddy - Professor of English, Sri S Radhakrishnan and Prof. A R Wadia - Professor of Philosophy.
After graduation, Sri Vedanta Iyengar worked as the Headmaster in Government Middle School at Doddaballapur and other places. Though he was offered the Sub-Registrar's post, he opted for his primary love - education. He became very popular for conducting various extra-curricular activities for the students.
Besides working for cause of education and music, he worked for several social causes. Through contacts developed with the Government and with Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of Mysore under HH Late Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar, he was instrumental in commissioning several projects like the Maternity and Child welfare center Hospital and a Veterinary Hospital at Saligrama. He also inspired the renovation of the famous Sri Yoganarasimha Temple, where Sri Ramanujacharya stayed for several years on his way to Melkote.
In recognition of his community and public service, besides his active participation in all aspects of primary and secondary education, HH Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar honoured him with the precious "Public Service Gold Medal" in the year 1949.