About Ganga Ranganath by Uma & Prakash Narayan
Ganga Amma was born in a place called Elamkunnapuzha in Ernakulam district in Kerala state India in the Tamil month Avani, star Hastham on 20/08/1930. Her father was Subbaraya Iyer and her mother was Lakshmi Ammal. Subbaraya Iyer retired as Inspector of Schools in Trichur District. Amma grew up in her ancestral home in Punkunnam, Trichur District. Amma was the youngest of eight siblings.
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Ganga's first Guru for music was her mother Lakshmi Ammal, and she had her music lessons from various teachers hailing from Trichur, Bombay and Madras. For advanced courses she had her training from Sri AS Panchapakesa Iyer in Madras who had written books such as Ganamrutha Bodhini, Ganamrutha Varnamalika, Ganamrutha Keerthanamalika and many others.
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She had her first audition for vocal music as a 16 year old in All India Radio in April 1947 in Madras. Thus her illustrious music journey started and she continued giving her music performances till her late eighties in All India Radio.
Amma won several awards and prizes including five gold medals from prestigious sabhas like Music Academy, Indian Fine Arts Society and Rasika Ranjani Sabha. She also rendered Carnatic music concert in Doordarhan as well as a Thiruppugazh concert.
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Ganga Amma was married to Shri CN Ranganath on 9th May 1948. Shri Ranganath appa was also musically talented .Appa was a self taught Gottuvaadyam player.
Amma's eldest son Narayan was trained in mridangam by late Shri Parameshwaran Namboodri.
Narayan has the proud privilege of accompanying the great singer of yester years Shri Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar on the mridangam on several occassions.
Amma's music continued to blossom when she moved to Sydney in the year 2005. Amma's debut concert was conducted in Five Dock under the auspices of Sydney Music Circle.
There was no looking back from then on and.Amma enthusiastically participated in all SMC programs and gave several concerts.
That SMC became her lifeline is an undeniable fact. Amma also involved herself in teaching music.
Amma's senior lady students were Nalini Sankar, Jayanthi Narayan and Kalpana.
Teaching music was Amma's passion, and she enjoyed her music teaching sessions. Amma's grandson Praveen Ranganath is fortunate to learn music from his grandma.
Amma encouraged all young and old singers.
At the age of 93 Ganga Amma attained Sadhgathi on July 1st 2023.
Ganga Amma and Ranganath Appa are survived by three sons, and daughter-in-laws & 5 grand children,
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Ganga Amma lives on in the hearts of her loved ones and all her music lovers.
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