Musicians pay tribute to Saint Tyagaraja

The annual aradhana is held on Pushya Bahula Panchami with an abhishekam accompanied by the singing of the famous five keerthanas in homage to the saint-composer Tyagaraja. Special poojas were held on Thursday morning at the house where the saint lived on Thirumanjana Veedhi. Then his idol was taken in a procession along the main streets to the pandal where aradhana was held. Some of those who took part in the Unchavarthi procession dressed like the composer and sang his songs with deep devotion. 

The abhishekam was performed at the samadhi of Tyagaraja around 9 am. The leading musicians who took part in the singing included Nithyashree Mahadevan, Sudha Raghunathan, Mahathi, Mahanadhi Shobana, Arun, Ashok Ramani, Sashikiran, treasurer R Ganesh, Rajesh and Thanjavur Corporation major Savithri Gopal. More than 1,000 people assembled in the pandal joined in the group singing. 

During the five-day festival from 9 am to 11 pm there were concerts by vocalists and instrumentalists who rendered Tygaraja’s kritis. Prominent among those who took part in the festival were Tyagaraja  Mahasabha president GR Moopanar, Sudhakar Moopanar, Thanjavur Collector Subbaiyan, actor Pyramid Natarajan, district judge Balasubramanian.  Arrangements for the festival were made by GR Moopanar, secretaries Aridwaramangalami AK Palanivel, Srimushnam V Raja Rao, assistant secretaries Ramkumar, TR Govindarajan, treasurer Ganesh, trustees Suresh Moopanar, Deccan NK Murthy, Ganesan and MR Panchanatham. 

Sudha Raghunathan who talked to newsmen said that she felt honoured to be part of the group singing Pancharatna Keerthanas which she thought was “a world wonder”. Taking part in the festival every year gives her immense mental satisfaction, she said. 

Nithyasri Mahadevan said, “I feel blessed greatly by taking part in the festival. For musicians, singing the Pancharatna keerthanas is a lofty experience and all Tamilians must be really proud of the annual music festival.” 

Mahathi said it was her native place and she had made it a habit to come for the aradhana every year and it gives her mental satisfaction and peace.