TIRUCHY: The musicians across the country on Wednesday paid homage to Saint Tyagaraja, one of the trinities of Carnatic music, at Tiruvaiyaru by rendering the Pancharatna Kritis, the five gems of Tyagaraja's compositions, as an ensemble in a form of musical tribute.
The 179th Aradhanai festival commenced on January 3, which was presided over by the Madras High Court Judge R Suresh Kumar. Subsequently, the music events were held every day from 9 am to 10 pm.
The main function of the "Aradhanai" festival was held on the death anniversary on Wednesday. The event commenced with the "Unchavriti" Bhajan from Tirumanjana Veedhi, where the saint composer lived.
The musicians carried the decorated idol of Tyagaraja to the samadhi complex of Tyagaraja, where the Aradhanai was held. Special ablutions were held for the idol of Thyagaraja at the Samadhi.
At 9 am, the rendering of Pancharatna Kritis by the musicians commenced with the recitation by the flautists led by Prabanjam Balachandran, who rendered the "Sethulara" kriti (song) of Tyagaraja as a prelude to the singing of Pancharatna Kritis.
Followed by the flute rendition, the musicians rendered the pancharatna kritis, "Jagadananda Karaka", "Thuduku Kala Nanne Thora", "Sathinsene O Manasa", "KanaKana Rusira Kanakavasana ninnu", "Entharo Mahanubavulu, Anthariki Vanthanamulu" set in "Naattai", "Koulai", "Arabi", "Varaali" and "Sri Raagam" respectively.
Noted Carnatic musicians, including Sudha Raghunathan, Mahathi, OS Arun, Cuddalore Janani, Harithwara Mangalam, AK Palanivel, Srimushnam Raja Rao and others participated in the ensemble.
At around 10.30 am, P Suchithra and group recited the Hari katha and at 10.20 pm, the Tyagaraja idol was taken out in procession in the streets of Tiruvaiyaru with "mallari" music.