Tamil Nadu: Over a thousand musicians and devotees paid tribute to Sri Thyagaraja Swami by singing kirtans during the Pancharatna Kirtan program held on Wednesday at the Thiruvaiyaru Aradhana Utsav in Thanjavur district.
The 179th annual puja festival, organized by the Sri Thyagaraja Brahma Mahotsava Sabha, was inaugurated by Justice R. Sureshkumar of the Madras High Court on the evening of January 3. Following this, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., several musical artists sang and played musical tributes to Sadguru Sri Thyagaraja Swami.
The Pancharatna Kirtanai Vaibhavam was held on Wednesday, the closing day. Earlier, at 5:30 a.m., a procession to the tune of Mela Taal started from the house where Thyagaraja Swami lived and reached the temple via Thirumanjana Road and South Road. Later, the Nagasuram program took place from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Following this, at 9 a.m., Prabhancham S. The Pancharatna Kirtan began with flute music by Balachandran and others.
Pancha Ratna Kirtan:
First, the song “Jagadananda Karaka Jaya Janaki Prana Nayaka…” was sung in Kandu raga, Adi tal. This was followed by “Dhuduku Kala Nanne Tora Koduku Prosura Anto…” in Kaulai raga, Adi tal, “Saathinjane O Manasa…” in Arafi raga, Adi tal, “Kanagna Rusi Ra Kanagavasana Ninnu…” in Varali raga, Adi tal, and finally, renowned musicians Sudha Raghunathan, Sirkazhi G. Sivasithambaram, O.S., sang “Entaro Mahanu Pavulu Antariki Vandanamu…” in Adi tal. Arun, S. Mahathi, Binny Krishnakumar, Cuddalore S.J. Janani, Arithuvarmangalam A.K. Palanivel, Sri Mushnam V. Rajarao, and over a thousand musicians and devotees participated, singing and playing musical instruments together to pay homage to Sri Thyagaraja Swami. At that time, Sri Thyagaraja Swami was anointed and specially decorated.
Sri Thiakabramma Mahotsav Sabha trustee S. Suresh Moopanar, Deccan N.K. Murthy, and others participated in the event.
Singer Sudha Raghunathan:
We consider it a great privilege for musicians to have the opportunity to sing Pancharatna Kirtan in front of Thyagaraja Swami on the land of Thiruvaiyaru. She said, “Coming here and singing every year gives me joy and satisfaction.”
Singer S. Mahathi: We pray to Sri Thyagaraja Swami for good musical performances throughout the year, and we start singing from here. She said that this time it was great to have so many different musicians and fans.
