Shata Raga Ratna Maalika: An event etched in the Singapore Book of Records
On the momentous occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Madhurageetham Music Contest, Namadwaar Singapore celebrated a landmark achievement that will remain etched in the annals of its musical and spiritual journey. The occasion brought with it a remarkable recognition in the Singapore Book of Records for the “Longest Performance of Musical Works from a Single Composer – HH Maharanyam Muralidhara Swamiji.” This record was not merely a celebration of musical endurance. It was a celebration of devotion, collective effort and, above all, the extraordinary treasure of Madhurageethams gifted to the world by our beloved Sri Swamiji. The Madhurageethams are compositions that have flowed from Sri Swamiji in moments of deep communion with the Divine. They are not merely musical compositions born of artistic imagination; they are expressions of vivid spiritual experience and bhakti. With more than 900 Madhurageethams composed so far, this vast body of devotional music represents a unique and precious contribution to the world of music and spirituality.
To celebrate this musical heritage, Namadwaar Singapore conceived a truly extraordinary offering: a continuous 10-hour Madhurageetham Marathon, aptly named “Shata Raga Ratna Maalika”—a garland of a hundred precious ragas. The stage was transformed into a magnificent tapestry of melody.
The event was held at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, SIFAS Annexe, and continued for an astonishing 10 hours and 1 minute. What made the achievement even more remarkable was the seamless flow of the entire programme. There was no break of more than a minute between songs and participating groups, creating an uninterrupted stream of music that carried the audience from one raga to another. The compositions of Mahatmas like Sri Swamiji are distilled spiritual experiences. They arise from the highest state of bhakti and carry within them the fragrance of that experience. When such compositions are sung with shraddha, they have the power to awaken bhakti in the hearts of those who sing or even listen to them. This is what made the Shata Raga Ratna Maalika so special.
As the morning began, the venue came alive with an atmosphere of joyful anticipation. Behind the splendour of the final presentation lay months of preparation, coordination and meticulous planning. Teams worked together from the early hours to arrange the stage, coordinate participants, manage transitions and ensure that every aspect of the programme proceeded smoothly. The entire performance was also live-streamed on YouTube for its full duration, allowing devotees and music lovers beyond the venue to participate virtually in this unique celebration. https://www.youtube.com/live/zWN5gKMd3aU The stage itself reflected the spirit of the occasion. A prominent stopwatch displayed the passing hours. Alongside it was an image of Sri Swamiji holding the tambura; a simple yet deeply evocative presence. Throughout the proceedings, it created the beautiful feeling that Sri Swamiji Himself was present, joyfully witnessing the offering and overseeing every moment.
The participation was truly heartwarming. More than 200 participants, representing 16 groups and spanning different age groups, came together to make the Shata Raga Ratna Maalika a grand success. Children, youngsters, adults and senior participants joined hands in this collective offering. In several groups, even the music teachers themselves joined their students on stage. Their participation reflected the spirit of the event beautifully. This was not simply a performance where teachers taught and students performed; it was a celebration in which everyone wished to participate together and experience the joy of offering Madhurageetham. Music schools from across Singapore came together, united by their love for music and their affection for Sri Swamiji’s compositions. Behind those ten hours of music were months of dedicated preparation. Every song had to be planned and every transition carefully timed. Such an undertaking demanded not only musical ability but also teamwork, discipline, commitment and an extraordinary spirit of cooperation.
The meticulous planning extended to the smallest details. The sequence of songs, movement of groups, stage arrangements, technical requirements and time management all had to work in perfect harmony. The success of the event was indeed due to the blessings of Sri Swamiji who witnessed the collective accomplishment of countless people who contributed their time, energy and expertise.
After their performances, every participant was presented with a certificate and memento as a token of appreciation. The music teachers who had nurtured and guided the participants were also felicitated. These gestures made the event even more meaningful, recognising not merely the final performance but the dedication and effort that had gone into making it possible. Yet, beyond the record, the scale and the splendour of the event, there was something far more precious about the experience. To listen to Sri Swamiji’s compositions continuously for ten hours was itself a rare blessing. Each Madhurageetham opened into a different world. Every raga brought with it its own colour, bhava and rasa. One composition would evoke tenderness; another, wonder; another, surrender; another, bliss. Yet beneath this diversity ran a common thread: the remembrance of Bhagavan.
Sri Swamiji has beautifully taught us that artforms like music are not merely forms of entertainment. When offered to the Divine, they become sacred paths leading towards enlightenment. The purpose of art, in such a context, transcends performance. It becomes an offering. The achievement of entering the Singapore Book of Records therefore carries a significance beyond the record itself. A record usually measures something: time, distance, numbers or scale. Here, the record measured the extraordinary extent to which a community could come together to celebrate Sri Swamiji’s musical legacy. Perhaps the most beautiful record was the memory this event created in the hearts of everyone who participated. For the children who stood on stage beside their teachers, it may become a cherished memory of their musical journey. For the teachers, it was an opportunity to offer their knowledge and gratitude. For the organisers, it was the culmination of months of dedicated service. For the audience, it was ten hours of immersion in melody and devotion. And for every devotee, it was an opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable grace of receiving such a treasure from Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji’s compositions have travelled far and wide. In Singapore, since the start of the Maadhurageetham Music Contest in 2016, over 1000 participants have learned these beautiful compositions. Madhurageethams have found their way into homes, satsangs, music classrooms, temples and concert platforms. Through them, countless people have encountered the beauty of devotion through music. As the final notes faded after ten hours and one minute, what remained was not merely the satisfaction of having completed an extraordinary musical feat. There remained a deep sense of gratitude for Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji’s Madhurageethams have now become an integral part of the cultural and spiritual landscape of Singapore. Through events such as the Shata Raga Ratna Maalika, their reach continues to grow, carrying with them messages that transcends language, geography and musical boundaries.
