R. Sathyanarayana

R. Sathyanarayana (9 May 1927 – 16 January 2020) was a musicologist and dance scholar from Mysore, India. In 2018, Sathyanarayana received the Padma Shri civilian honour from the President of India for his contribution to the field of music.^[1][2] His most prominent disciples include his son, Vidwan Dr. R. S. Nandakumar, who is a renowned Karnataka Classical vocal musician and scholar of international repute,^[3] and Vidwan Dr Srikantham Nagendra Shastry, who is also a renowned Karnataka Classical vocal musician, Professor and Scholar.^[4]

R. Sathyanarayana
Born	(1927-05-09)9 May 1927 Mysore, India
Died	16 January 2020(2020-01-16) (aged 92) Mysore
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Musicologist & indologist
Years active	1945-2020
Awards	Padma Sri (2018)

Career

Pranab Mukherjee presenting an award to Shri R. Sathyanarayana in 2018

Dr R Sathyanarayana has degrees ranged from a Master's in chemistry from the University of Mysore to a PhD and multiple D.Litt. degrees from various universities, including Mysore University, Hampi University (Honoris Causa) and Gangubhai Hangal Music University of Mysore.^[5]

Between 1949 and 1984, he taught chemistry at the Sarada Vilas College, and also taught Karnataka music. He wrote treatises in Sanskrit language on dance and music. Pundarikamala, Shruti: The Scalic Foundation, Suladis and Ugabhogas of Karnataka Music, and Karnataka Sangeetha Vahini were some of his notable works. He was a public speaker on Indological disciplines, and was an active participant in Government of India sponsored music festivals and international seminars. He was the President of the Indian Music Congress.^[2][6]