TOI Monsoon Ragas fest begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Monsoon

Ragas

, a three-day long classical music festival began here on Friday. Organized by tourism department in association with The Times of India at Nishagandhi Auditorium, the event was inaugurated by tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran.

Tourism department has decided to make the festival an annual event.

“The decision to organize a music festival at Nishagandhi auditorium, originally built to hold dance festivals, was taken based on demands by music aficionados. Special arrangements for tourists will be made in the next edition of the festival,” said Surendran.

The events of the inaugural day began with thayambaka performance by brothers Ananth Krishnan and Aravind Krishnan.

It was followed by a joint recital by music composer and hindustani vocalist Ramesh Narayan, Fazal Qureshi on tabla, Ravi Chary on sitar and carnatic vocalist Abhilash Venkitachalam.

Film director Lenin Rajendran, Kerala Youth Commission chairperson

Chintha Jerome

and CEO of Jaihind channel K P Mohanan attended the event.

The day two will feature hindustani flute recital by

Pravin Godkhindi

and party at 6pm. This will be followed by carnatic vocal concert led by

Abhishek Raghuram

at 7.30pm. On Sunday, which is the concluding day, the festival will feature carnatic concerts by Harishankar at 6pm and thalavadya by Vikku Vinayak Ram and team at 7pm.

Monsoon Ragas was initiated by The

Times of India

last year and was held at Co-Bank Towers.