House in Mylapore home to Thyagaraja aradhana in Chennai

CHENNAI: It is difficult for any structure on the narrow, tapering Mathala Narayanan Street in Mylapore, to distinctly stand out. During celebratory months such as Margazhi, and temple festivals such as Arubathu Moovar, it is like every other Mylaporean bylane that owns the cheer and communion in the air, as is the case with any neighbourhood enveloping a historic temple.
But Door no.12 on Mathala Narayanan Street is a home every Mylaporean family knows and holds special. Not just today, but for more than a century. This tiled roof house that is more than a 100 years old has been the epicentre of the Bhakti movement locally, hosting the Thyagaraja Aaradhana every year - a tradition that was started by flautist Nataraja Iyer. "It was once a home covering 3,000 square feet and housing close to 40 people in our joint family," says the youngest of Nataraja Iyer's eight children, Natarajan Vidyanathan. "In 1947, our house was partitioned between my father and his younger brother; so the one we live in is over 1,400 square feet. And every year in January, musicians such as TR Mahalingam (also Natarajan's teacher), have visited, stayed over and performed at the Thyagaraja aaradhanai," says Vidyanathan. A golden shrine for the early 19th century saint and composer overlooks the performance space on the first level of the home, where the singing and prayers take place. "The photograph of Thyagaraja swami in the shrine came to us from Thanjavur," says Natarajan Chandramouli, Vidyanathan's eldest brother aged 79. Early morning light streams in through the characteristic iron-grilled windows that mark old Madras homes, along with the high ceiling, and a carpeted floor where performers and guests sit.
"My father told me stalwarts such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Madurai Mani Iyer and T V Sankaranarayanan sang for our Thyagaraja aaradhana," says Chandramouli.
On January 11, 4.30pm onwards, Yogam Santhanam and her students, N Rajam, sister of N Murali and other musicians will perform Thyagaraja kritis including the pancharatna keertanais. Home-cooked prasadam will be distributed too.