Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru music festival kick-starts on a grand note in Chennai

On Monday, the 13th edition of the Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru music festival began with much fanfare and show at the Kamarajar Arangam, Teynampet, Chennai. The 8-day-long Carnatic music and dance gala has been organised by the musical consortium known as Lakshman Sruthi Musicals. Accomplished artists will showcase their skills in Carnatic and Hindustani music; this festival will also feature budding artists, danseuses and discoursers in 60 shows.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Suguna Varadachari sung Pancharathna Krithis to the sheer delight of the assembled guests.
The inaugural day witnessed the presence of high-profile personalities like SS Saravanan, president of Legend Saravana Stores; award-winning music director Deva; Siju Prabhakaran, VP, Zee Tamizh television and Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmaniyam.

“The brothers have organised and conducted such a wonderful event for that past 12 years,” told Padma to the press. The ceremonial lamp was lit by music director Deva, and Lalitha Kumaramangalam, ex-chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW), displayed the statue of Balamuralikrishna in his daughter’s presence, to honour the late maestro.

Since 2014, the Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru music festival has been bestowing the prestigious title of ‘Isai Aazhvar’ to praise distinguished musicians. During the current edition of music fest, Umayalpuram K Sivaraman, mridanga maestro, received the title. “Looking at this grand festival, I feel this is even more worthy than the Oscars. I thank all my gurus and my rasikas for this honour,” said Sivaraman, the honoured recipient.


The inaugural ceremony was followed by a concert by Mahathi, Sudhakar and Anil Srinivasan and a veena performance by Rajesh Vaidhya was given soon after.

Commuter-friendly buses plying on 12 routes shall run from 9.45 pm onwards for the convenience of rasikas taking part in the show. Food stalls have also been installed at the venue. The closing date of Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru is December 25.