Music festival pays tributes to saint Thyagaraja

‘Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Samsmaranotsavam’, the three-day commemorative meeting on saint-composer Sri Thyagaraja began at the TTD’s Sri Annamacharya Kalamandir here on Friday (February 20).

Music lovers made a beeline to the inaugural session of the three-day musical celebration organised by ‘Raaga Rasagnya’, where young and aspiring musicians to seasoned artistes are performing concerts for the three days, ending on Sunday (February 22).

Following the vocal concerts and instrumental performances, including violin, Mridangam, Veena and Ghatam by distinguished musicians, noted musician Manda Sudharani, recipient of the prestigious ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi award’, delivered a discourse titled ‘Values in human life journey – A reflection through Thyagaraja’s compositions’.

The celebration is meant to transmit the spiritual message and musical richness of saint Thyagaraja’s compositions, said Raaga Rasagnya’s president H.S. Venkatesh.

The organisation has been conducting similar initiatives for over a decade to kindle interest in classical music among the youth, observed its secretary Kolluru Ram Kumar.

More than 200 artists are participating in the event. Sunday will see a ceremonial procession being taken out at 8 a.m., followed by rendering of the famed ‘Pancharatna Kritis’.