Sai Sishya Sahasra, Sishyakulam’s large-scale musical tribute commemorating the centenary of Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba, concluded on 23 November at the Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Hall with an unprecedented gathering of over 1,200 rasikas. It was a coming together of leading musicians and a 200-member multigenerational choir in a rare and stirring celebration of devotion and musical unity.

Conceptualised and produced by Shankar Santhanagopalan, CEO of Sishyakulam, a Chennai-based global arts ecosystem, featured a roster of artists across Carnatic, Hindustani, bhajan, and film music traditions. Among the performers were Unnikrishnan, Nithyasree Mahadevan, Sooryagayathri, Uthara Unnikrishnan, Rajhesh Vaidhya (veena), J.A. Jayant (flute), Shreya Devnath (violin), and percussionists Sai Giridhar, S. Karthick, B.S. Purushotham, and Aakash Trivedi.

The highlight of the evening was Sishyakulam’s EPIC Choir - 200 students aged 6 to 60, from four southern states, three countries, and three religious faiths - conducted by Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Sudha Raja, and Shankar Santhanagopalan. 

Former Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, attended the event and addressed the gathering. He praised Sai Baba’s message of universal love and service, and commended Sishyakulam the milestone event.