A.R. NatarajanSri A.R. Natarajan is the President of the Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning and the Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi Research Centre, Bangalore. He is also the Vice-President of the Ramana Kendra, Delhi. From June 1982 to January 1986 he was the editor of the quarterly published by Sri Ramanasramam, 'The Mountain Path'. A collection of these editorials has been published under the title Divinity Here and Now. His earlier works are the commentaries on Sat-Darshanam, Selections from Ramana Gita, and Upadesa Saram, covering the core of the Maharshi's Teachings. His biographical work is Bhagavan Ramana and Mother. Works edited by Sri Natarajan, collections, and commentaries, are listed among the publications of the Centre.
Dr. Sarada NatarajanDr. Sarada Natarajan, Ph.D. in English literature, has been editor of 'The Ramana Way' published monthly by the Centre, and author of several books listed among publications of the Centre, including The Ramana Way in Search of Self, Ramana Thatha, and (most recently) The Surging Joy.
She is also director of the dance division of the Centre, Ramana Nritya Kala Ranga, and has scripted and directed nine ballets and several dramas on the life of Ramana.
She had a special dance training under Kun. Neenakshi of Veena Visalakshi Art Centre, Bangalore. She has also choreographed many compositions of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and those on Him.
She has been core singer of the Ramananjali group which has rendered over 320 live programs and recorded over 75 cassettes of Ramana music.
She also gives regular talks on the Teachings of Sri Ramana, and contributes articles to various journals, reviews books for 'The Mountain Path' and 'Prabuddha Bharatha'. She conducts regular classes on Sri Ramana's Teachings for college and school students, and has been in charge of quiz programs conducted by RMCL.
Two of her dance ballets have been telecast by Poordarshan Kendra, Bangalore: 'Ramana Prabha' and 'Nitya Ramana.' She also has been instrumental in producing video films on Bhagavan Ramana: 'Bhagavan Ramana and Mother', and 'Ramana Prabha'.
Smt. Sulochana NatarajanSmt. Sulochana Natarajan has held the post of Director, Music Division, Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning, Bangalore, since 1979. Her concert tours abroad have included U.K., Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong, and Mauritius.
She is the prime spirit behind the hectic, dynamic activities of the Ramananjali Group. Since its advent in 1980, she has given over 325 programmes in India and abroad. Ramananjali is multi-lingual presentation of songs on bhakti and jnana, with vocal and instrumental support in delectable tunes that attract attention, assimilation, and appreciation from audiences of various hues. The success that has attended the concept and crowned the programmes of the group is a tribute to her total commitment to the cause and the enormity of musical skill and meritorious presentation. Her daughters, Dr. Sharada Natarajan and Ambika Kameshwar, are also in the core group.
Publications. Sulochana Natarajan alone has set to music all the compositions of Bhagawan Ramana, Muruganar, Kavya Kanti Muni, and others. The publications are:
Five Hymns to Arunachala, etc of Sri Ramana, Ex tempore outpourings of the Maharshi in Tamil, with English translations by Prof. K. Swaminathan. Popular ragas like Jenjuiti, Sahana, Kanada, Yamuna Kalyani, and Sama have been chosen. Arunachala Pancharatnam is given Bouli, Ahiri, Vasanta, Mohanam, and Madhyamavati ragas. Ramana Thiru Venpavai and Ramana Sannidhi Murai--two volumes: The lyrics are by Mugavai Kanna Muruganar, set to music by Sulochana Natarajan.
She has done 85 cassette recordings. Quite an impressive output.
Her honors and titles include: Swara Lochana, Ramanasrama Vanambadi, and Ezhilisai Chelvam.
She is an ardent believer in the importance and role of lyrics in music, and in pronunciation with clarity and bhava. "Fish cannot live without water. Sunflowers cannot live without the sun. Pativrata cannot live without her husband. Mind cannot live without Prana. Flame of the lamp cannot burn without oil," said Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh. Even so, Sulochana Natarajan would seem to have so shaped her laudable life in the service of Sri Ramana Maharshi and Ramana consciousness that she cannot but continue to propagate his message for humanity through music.
What is the characteristic of Sri Arunachala of Tiruvannamalai? Muthuswami Dikshitar in his Arunachala Natham (Saranga) avers that the Lord is like a bee on the lotus called Aparna, who is Parvati. Sri Ramana was a bee in the large bosom of the Cosmic Lord. When a devotee takes abode in the genial heart of the Maharshi or enshrines Ramana in his heart, the Grace of the Lord flows. Is not this the ideal behind Ramananjali?