Sri Gopi is also the founder of Bhagavan Naama Prachara Mandali Trust at Nungambakkam. In Sampradhaya bhajans, ragam, thalam and melam were important, he said. More important than all these was the ability to demonstrate the bhava and bhakthi, he added.

Namasankirtanam, also called “Kirtan Yoga”, is the best way to beat stress and overcome tension. It assumes greater significance at a time when the Indian economy and corporates have started seeing the adverse effect of global crisis with threats of downsizing, pink slips, lay-offs looming large.

In recent years, there is a surge in the number of music lovers, young and older, in Canadian cities striving to learn this type of music as can be inferred from the enthusiasm of audience observed in Carnatic concerts by skilled artistes.

Ram Vasudevan is among the current generation musicians, who is deeply immersed in our traditions and culture, especially in championing the cause of Tamil isai and Carnatic music.