As a School of Philosophy, one of our pillars at New Acropolis is Culture. We recognize and investigate the role of Culture as a repository of timeless values transmitted through history and geography, always meant to ennoble and civilize human communities. On 12th April 2026, our ongoing investigation took the form of an intimate recital at the New Acropolis Ballard Estate branch, featuring Carnatic classical violinist Sumanth Manjunath and accompanying percussionist Ganesh Murali Iyer.
Together, the duo led a musical exploration of rhythm – an attribute that deeply characterizes all classical genres of music, and also one that underlines all movement in nature. After introducing a few iconic ragas (melodic structures), Sumanth demonstrated how classical music has always been inspired by nature with a rendition of Raga Hamsadhwani, said to emulate the cry of a swan.
Sumanth demonstrated how classical music has always been inspired by nature with a rendition of Raga Hamsadhwani, said to emulate the cry of a swan.
The highlight of the performance was a jugalbandhi, a musical conversation between the violin and the tabla, which invited the audience to participate by learning to keep count of the rhythm. The artists expressed that they appreciated the opportunity to share their craft with a philosophically tuned audience, for whom they observed the recital was more than mere entertainment.
Artists Bio
Sumanth Manjunath trained in the illustrious Mysore violin lineage under his grandfather Sri Maha-devappa, uncle Vidwan Mysore Nagaraj, and father Dr Mysore Manjunath. He has performed at an official function hosted by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan (New Delhi), and at major festivals across Europe. He serves as the Cultural President of Seilerei, a Cultural Centre in Frankfurt.
Ganesh Murali Iyer is a senior disciple of Mridangam maestro Shri Padmavibushan Umayalpuram Sivaraman. Recently he performed with Ed Sheeran.
