The morning of 04 March 2023 started with a musical feast. Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth’s Bharata Society in collaboration with the Kerala Kalamandapam, Deemed to be university of Arts and Culture organised the Tyagaraja Ārādhana. The celebrations began at 9:00 am and continued till 4:30 pm at Chidvilas on the CEG campus. The auditorium was full with viewers and participants from Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru and also from various parts of Kerala.
The day began with a blissful prayer and was followed by the welcome address by Dr. Sunitha Grandhee (Dean–Academics, CVV). Prof. Ajay Kapoor (Vice Chancellor, CVV) graced the occasion. The inauguration and keynote address was given by Sri Cleveland V. V. Sundaram, co-founder of Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, USA.
He shared his experiences with Carnatic music, its following and learning among the children and youth in the USA. He expressed his hope that CVV will be a ‘crucible’ for projects and experiments in Indian arts and culture, especially Carnatic music. His presence and words were of immense importance and motivated the artists and young performers.
Prof. Gauri Mahulikar, Academic Director, CIF, and Smt. Pramodini Rao (Head, School of Kalayoga) delivered felicitation speeches. The students of CVV conducted the Uñchavṛtti and entered Chidvilas chanting the name of Bhagavān Ram. Shri Anirudh Sharama (second-year, MSc Applied Psychology) played the role of Saint Tyagaraja. He was followed by students singing Sant Tyagaraja’s songs. Guru’s padukas were carried to the stage and the students performed the arati, supported by the arati song of Sant Tyagaraja – Patiki mangala…
The artists then arranged on the stage for the Pañcaratna Ālāpana. The stage was blessed with the presence of faculty and students of CVV and Kerala Kalamandalam. There were external students too who had learned Pancharatnam through the workshop ‘Ghanarāgapañcaratna of Tyagaraja’ offered by CVV from November 2022 to February 2023. Students and faculty from RLV College, Tripunithura; Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady; Christ College, Irinjalakuda; Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam’ Army School, Mumbai; CKMNSS Senior Secondary School, Chalakudy; Holy Trinity School, Palakkad; Sree Saraswathy Vidya Mandir, Karikkode; and artistes from other institutions from Kasargod, Palakkad, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Aluva and Thrissur took part. The performance included vocals, violin, mridangam, ganjira and idakka. The auditorium was elevated to a heavenly atmosphere.
The Pancharatna Alapana was followed by Akhaṇḍa Saṅgīta Ārādhana of Tyagaraja Kṛti-s till 03:30 pm. The artists were given a wonderful opportunity to sing kritis of Sant Tyagaraja individually on stage with the violin and mridangam. Next, the BA Music students of Kerala Kalamandalam performed Tyagaraja Divyanāmam. These kritis of Saint Tyagaraja were sung together as a group and it was a treat for the ears.
The artists of the day were honoured by Dr. Sunitha Grandhee and Dr. Manjula R. Iyer (Associate Professor, School of CKS and Assistant Dean, CVV). The event concluded with śānti mantram.