Sri Vinjamuri Parthasarathi Iyengar (96), older brother of Ganakalanidhi Dr. Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar, celebrated the memory of his baby brother on August 16, 2000, at Guntur, the birthplace of Dr. Varadaraja Iyengar. The following are excepts from the speeches given on the occasion, which were followed by the violin performance of Sri Vinjmuri Parthasarathi Iyengar.

"He (Vinjmauri Varadaraja Iyengar) was immerced in the world of Music, all other worldly things were just nominal to him. If we go back roughly about 20 to 30 years in time, in all our country, if there is anything known as expertise in Music, I can definitely say that his was the great soul that mastered it all!"

"One thing that I always remember, in my heart, about Varadaraja Iyengar. That is: he used to sing a Kriti of Muthiah Bhagavatar called "Kalaratri" in the raga Urmika. I liked it very much. So, I asked him whether he would sing that song "Kalaratri" for me, at an inappropriate time. That is, he just came out of the building after having his meal. I was there and I asked him whether he would sing. He did not just say, "yes, I will" and put-off the singing, like the way I postpone the cases, as a Lawyer in the court. There was a small platform (Thinnai) there. I was the only listener. Immediately, he sat on that platform and started singing, just for me, the song, Kalaratri in the raga Urmika. The fact that he was so unpretentious and gave me that wonderful opportunity to listen to, is something that I can never forget in my life!"

"Vinjamuri Varadaraja Iyengar entered the Music field and made all the way up to the top. He was very fond of Tanjore Bani; the Bani created by the Musical Trinity. He went to Madras to learn that Bani and became very successful. His Music was very very good."

"I listened to his Music program, for the first time, in the year 1942, with my mouth open (with astonishment and awestuck) for all the three hours of the concert. That's how good it was!"

"In my opinion, from 1935 till 1955 or more, Varadaraja Iyengar performed many extraordinary Kutcheries. He never had a day when he was down in spirit or under the weather that he could not sing. I listened to many of his astonishing concerts, with different accompanists. Though, I was a small man (not so proficient) then, he still made me his accompanist for his concerts. He was never less alert. He was always very energetic and very alert, and sang with full and majestic voice, ragas like, Bhairavi, Darbar; he used to sing Darbar very megestically (Gambheeram). He had certain patented Ragas. He sang all those very well and brought Name and Fame to all of South India by performing many brilliant Kutcheries. I was very fortunate to play accompaniment for him."

"I consider my self to be fortunate and I am grateful to Almighty for giving me birth during this century. Because I am born in this century when Sadguru Thyagaraja's kritis are in existence and are popular, I am able to enjoy and appreciate those extraordinary compositions. Had I been born before Thyagaraja, I would not have known his compositions and had I been born during his time, probably, I would not have recognized his greatness either. In the same manner, as I am born in the same time period as that of Varadaraja Iyengar, I had the good fortune of playing for him. He used to sing so very well!"