Sri Sri   Bharati Tirtha  Maha swamigal,  Jagadguru  Shankaracharya Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham, consecrated the WorldSpace Satellite Radio broadcast at the Sringeri Sharada Mutt on Tuesday, January 25, 2005.
Just after 10 a.m, the Swamiji lit the auspicious lamp and switched on the WorldSpace Satellite Receiver at the Pravachana Mandiram inside the premises of the Sringeri Mutt in the presence of devotees, and listened to the Shruti and Gandharv channels. It was interesting to note that Swamiji expressed a keen interest in the various technical aspects of satellite broadcast. WorldSpace has two dedicated 24-hour channels for south Indian Classical Music -- Shruti (Carnatic) and Gandharv (Hindustani) a north Indian classical music channel.
This is a subscription service and is available only to subscribers in India at present.

The installation of WorldSpace receivers in the premises of the Sringeri Mutt has been possible through an arrangement with the administration of the Mutt, according to which Shruti and Gandharv, the two channels devoted to Indian Classical Music, will be played through the day in the Pravachana Mandiram and the dining halls in the Mutt.
Shruti and Gandharv will now contribute to the overall spiritual experience offered by the tranquil ambience of Sringeri, where Adi Shankara set up the first of his four Mutts.

Speaking on the occasion, V R Gowri Shankar, CEO and Administrator, Sri Sringeri Mutt and Its Properties, Sringeri, said, "Our ancient music, both in Carnatic and Hindustani styles, has played a big role in shaping our lifestyle, devotion and commitment to peaceful living. The work that our friends at WorldSpace Satellite Radio are doing, broadcasting these channels dedicated to Indian Classical Music to listeners all over the world is unique and laudable. This contribution of WorldSpace to promote our traditional music is very praiseworthy. May Goddess Sharada and the Jagadguru bless them with all prosperity, strength and will to continue this service".

Radio Gandharv, part of the WorldSpace Satellite Radio network, is the world’s first 24-hour channel that is dedicated to Hindustani Classical Music. It has received recognition from several leading Hindustani artists such as Dr. L. Subramaniam and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande since its launch in October 2004. Radio Gandharv aims to be the voice of Hindustani music by functioning as a quality resource for all aspects of classical music and aptly reflecting the current classical music scenario. The programming mix of the channels not only has stimulating content for connoisseurs, but also includes programmes that cater to beginners and lay listeners. Apart from exploring various aspects of pure music in the Hindustani Classical Music genre, the content also has music-based informative programs to educate and widen the listener base of Hindustani Classical Music. 

Shruti is the voice of Carnatic Music on WorldSpace. This 24-hour channel dedicated to Carnatic Music presents a range that spans the works of eternal masters such as Musiri Subramania Iyer and Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar to the current favorites like Sudha Ragunathan. From the best of traditional music to the latest innovations in the Carnatic style, Shruti showcases them all through both features as well pure music. Other interesting specials on Shruti include concerts, musical features, interviews, interactive and theme-based programmes, structured presentations and a host of other shows to facilitate learning and appreciation of various aspects of Carnatic Music, its related genres and sub-genres.

WorldSpace Satellite Radio WorldSpace is the pioneer of Satellite Radio. Through its two satellites AfriStar and AsiaStar, WorldSpace beams music and information to millions of households across the world.  The company is headquartered in Washington D.C., and its Indian operations are run out of Bangalore. WorldSpace boasts of a range of over 30 channels across genres- from Jazz to Classical, to Old Hindi film Music and Rock. WorldSpace now offers two Indian classical channels; Shruti (Carnatic) and Gandharv (Hindustani), as well as regional Indian channels that include Tara (Bengali), KL Radio (Tamil), Sparsha (Kannada), RM Radio (Malayalam) and Spandana (Telugu) on its network; and is planning to introduce dedicated channels in other regional languages.

---