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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016
{{Short description|Annual music festival in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{infobox music festival
{{infobox music festival
| music_festival_name = Tyagaraja Aradhana
| music_festival_name = Thyagaraja Aradhana
| image = Sri Tyagaraja Swamy Idol at samadhi mandir in Tiruvaiyaru.jpg
| image             = Sri Tyagaraja Swamy Idol at samadhi mandir in Tiruvaiyaru.jpg
| caption=
| caption           = The idol of [[Thyagaraja]] in the temple in Tiruvaiyaru
| location = [[Thiruvaiyaru]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] and
| location           = [[Thiruvaiyaru]] in Tamil Nadu and
[[Tirupati]] and Kakarla in [[Andhra Pradesh]]<ref name=tirupati>{{cite news | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/jan/07/tirupati-aradhana-mahotsavam-of-sri-thyagaraja-held-1746629.html| title=Tirupati: Aradhana Mahotsavam of Sri Thyagaraja held | work=The New Indian Express | date=4 January 2016 | access-date=10 May 2018}}</ref>
[[Tirupati]] and Kakarla in Andhra Pradesh<ref name=tirupati>{{cite news | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/jan/07/tirupati-aradhana-mahotsavam-of-sri-thyagaraja-held-1746629.html| title=Tirupati: Aradhana Mahotsavam of Sri Thyagaraja held | work=The New Indian Express | date=4 January 2016 | access-date=10 May 2018}}</ref>
| genre = [[Carnatic music]]  
| genre             = [[Carnatic music]]
| years_active = 1846–present
| years_active       = 1846–present
| founders =  
| founders           =  
| dates = January / February
| URL                = https://thiruvaiyaruthyagarajaaradhana.org
| dates             = January / February
}}
}}
{{Indian music|expanded=Festivals}}
{{Indian music|expanded=Festivals}}


[[File:Sri Tyagaraja Swamy samadhi mandir in Tiruvaiyaru.JPG|thumb|Sri Tyagaraja Swamy samadhi Temple in Tiruvaiyaru]]
[[File:Sri Tyagaraja Swamy samadhi mandir in Tiruvaiyaru.JPG|thumb|Sri Thyagaraja Swamy samadhi Temple in Tiruvaiyaru]]
[[File:Granite plate outside of Sri Tyagaraja Swamy samadhi mandir in Tiruvaiyaru.JPG|thumb|Granite plate outside of Sri Tyagaraja Swamy samadhi Temple in Tiruvaiyaru]]
'''Thyagaraja Aradhana''' is an annual ''aradhana'' (a [[Sanskrit]] term meaning act of glorifying God or a person) of [[Telugu language|Telugu]] saint composer [[Tyagaraja]]. The music festival is observed in the states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-10 |title=Ritual Tyagaraja aradhana in Bengaluru this year |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-on-the-move/ritual-tyagaraja-aradhana-in-bengaluru-this-year-793286.html |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashraf |first=Fathima |title=300 artists to pay homage to Thyagaraja at this music festival |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/music/300-artists-to-pay-homage-to-thyagaraja-at-this-music-festival/articleshow/96850180.cms |access-date=2023-02-20 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and [[Tamil Nadu]], primarily in [[Tiruvaiyaru]] in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, the place where Tyagaraja attained Jeeva [[Samadhi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-05-19 |title=Renovated house of St. Thyagaraja to be inaugurated shortly |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Renovated-house-of-St.-Thyagaraja-to-be-inaugurated-shortly/article16301942.ece |access-date=2023-02-20 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The aradhana is observed on [[Pausha|Pushya]] Bahula [[Panchami]] day when the saint attained Jeeva samadhi, where the musicians render the saint's [[Pancharatna Kriti]]s.<ref>{{cite news|author=Friday Review |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/tiruvaiyaru-gears-up/article3216630.ece |title=Tiruvaiyaru gears up - CHEN |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 6 January 2006|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Tourism in Tamil Nadu: Growth and Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jTmbDwAAQBAJ&dq=piranmalai&pg=PA106|page=14|last=Pillai|first=S. Subramania|publisher=MJP Publisher|year=2019|isbn=978-81-8094-432-1}}</ref>
'''Tyagaraja Aradhana''' is an annual ''aradhana'' (a [[Sanskrit]] term meaning act of glorifying God or a person) of [[Telugu language|Telugu]] saint composer [[Tyagaraja]]. The music festival is observed in the states of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]], primarily in [[Tiruvaiyaru]] in [[Thanjavur]] district of [[Tamilnadu]], the place where Tyagaraja attained [[Samadhi]]. The aradhana is observed on [[Pausha|Pushya]] Bahula [[Panchami]] day when the saint attained samadhi, where the musicians will render the saint's [[Pancharatna Kriti]]s.<ref>{{cite news|author=Friday Review |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/tiruvaiyaru-gears-up/article3216630.ece |title=Tiruvaiyaru gears up - CHEN |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 6 January 2006|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The ''aradhana'' (Ceremony of Adoration) is held every year on the anniversary of the demise of the saint. This is on Pushya Bahula Panchami day (the fifth day of the waning moon in the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu lunar month]] of ''Pushya''). The ''Aradhana'' is conducted by the Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha and is held in the precincts of the ''samadhi'' (memorial) of the saint located at [[Thiruvaiyaru]] village, [[Thanjavur district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.saintthyagarajar.com/aradhanafestival.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125091256/http://saintthyagarajar.com/aradhanafestival.htm |archive-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The ''aradhana'' (Ceremony of Adoration) is held every year on the anniversary of the demise of the saint. This is on Pushya Bahula Panchami day (the fifth day of the waning moon in the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu lunar month]] of ''Pushya''). The ''Aradhana'' is held in the precincts of the ''samadhi'' (memorial) of the saint located at [[Thiruvaiyaru]] village, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.saintthyagarajar.com/aradhanafestival.htm |title=Saint Thyagarajar :: Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival |access-date=2 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125091256/http://saintthyagarajar.com/aradhanafestival.htm |archive-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The Aradhana in its present format is not even a hundred years old. Tyagaraja died in 1847. A few days before his death, he had formally renounced everything and become a sanyasi. When he passed on, his mortal remains were buried on the banks of the river Kaveri and a small memorial was built at the site. His disciples returned to their respective villages and observed his death anniversary at their own homes. The memorial soon fell into neglect and had become quite dilapidated by 1903, when two of the last surviving students to have been taught by Tyagaraja happened to make a nostalgic visit to the site. These were the elderly and eminent musicians Umayalpuram Krishna Bhagavatar and Sundara Bhagavatar. They were dismayed by the neglect and dilapidation; indeed, they had to search for the memorial in the wild foliage of the riverbank. They arranged for the renovation of the ''samadhi'' and decided to commemorate the ''tithi'' or death anniversary of their ''guru'' every year at the Samadhi itself.
==United States==
 
In the United States, the [[Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival]] is held in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] every year around Easter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aradhana.org/|title=Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival|website=www.aradhana.org|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref>
From the following year, efforts were made by musical stalwarts to observe the death anniversary regularly at Tiruvayyaru, and to use the occasion as an opportunity for his followers to converge and interact with each other. In 1905, a lavish ceremony, complete with feeding of the poor and worship at the memorial as per Vedic tenets, was celebrated. While  Umayalpuram Krishna Bhagavatar and Sundara Bhagavatar were the moving force behind the renovations and celebrations, the brothers Tillaisthanam Narasimha Bhagavatar and Tillaisthanam Panju Bhagavatar were the main financiers and organizers. By the following year, the brothers had fallen out with each other. From 1906 onwards, each began conducting a parallel Aradhana. Various musicians also began aligned themselves with one or the other brother and two rival factions came into being. The group (and the ''aradhana'' celebration) conducted by Narasimha Bhagavatar came to be called the ''Periya Katchi'' ("senior party," since he was the elder) and that of Panju Bhat became known as the ''Chinna Katchi.'' With the passing of the Tillaisthanam brothers, the Periya Katchi came under the control of the ace violinist Malaikottai Govindasami Pillai, and the Chinna Katchi under that of Soolamangalam Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, the noted [[Harikatha]] exponent. Gradually, a convention emerged whereby the Chinna Katchi's celebrations began five days before the Aradhana and concluded on the Aradhana day, while the Periya Katchi's celebration began on Aradhana day and continued for four days after that. Both groups organised music performances and feeding of the poor and so the public was the real beneficiary during the nine days. On one point, both groups were united. They did not allow women to perform during the Aradhana. In those days, the only women who sang or danced in public were the ''[[devadasi]]'' or temple performers. Another point in common between the two groups was that they did not permit [[nadaswaram]] performances.
 
[[Bangalore Nagarathnamma]] was precisely such a temple performer, and one of the most famous professional concert artistes of her era. Nagarathnamma, who was then residing in Madras, was an ardent devotee of Tyagaraja and an aficionado of his music. Indeed, the soulful rendition of his ''kritis'' had been the mainstay of her career throughout her life, and she considered that she owed her considerable wealth to his grace. In 1921, the aged and childless lady decided to dedicate her life's earnings to preserving Tyagaraja's legacy and perpetuating his memory. In 1925, she began the construction of a temple enclosing the memorial. According to some sources, she purchased the land on which the grave stood, whereas according to other sources, that land was ''panchayat'' riverside land (village common land), and her construction was illegal, but tolerated by local residents due to its pious intentions. Nagarathnamma also had an idol of Tyagaraja sculpted and installed in front of the memorial. The consecration of the temple took place in early 1926. The two rival groups, while not interfering with all this, refused to let Nagarathnamma perform her music, or even ''[[Harikatha]],'' within the temple which she herself had had constructed. They cited several instances from Tyagaraja's songs where he had complained about women in general.
 
Undeterred, Nagarathnammal began a third front which conducted its own music programs at the rear of the shrine. This third event featured many women artistes, and perhaps for that very reason, it began eating into the public popularity of the events hosted by the two Katchis. The doughty lady also filed suits in the local courts demanding the prevention of the Katchis from entering the temple, claiming that it belonged to her by right. She lost the case, but the hours of worship were laid down by the courts, dividing the Aradhana day equally between the two Katchis and her own group.
 
Matters continued this way till 1940, when SY Krishnaswami, [[Indian Civil Service|ICS]], convinced the groups to unite and it was in 1941 that the Aradhana as we know it was first conducted. Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar selected the five pancharatnas as being best suited for group rendering, so that a common homage by all musicians became possible. This idea was adopted and the choral rendition of the five songs was made an integral feature of the Aradhana. Before 1941, the three separate events had all been in the nature of music festivals, with no restriction regarding which of Thyagaraja's songs could be performed. It was only in 1941, when the three events were merged into one, that the convention of group singing of the five ''pancharatna kritis'' was decided upon.
 
Bangalore Nagarathnammal spent the rest of her days in Tiruvayyaru and bequeathed all her wealth to the Tyagaraja memorial, with the stipulation that women be allowed to pay their homage without any hindrance. When she died in 1952, she was buried close to Tyagaraja's memorial and a statue was erected on the spot. The statue directly gazes on Tyagaraja's memorial.
 
A huge complex is now under construction at [[Thiruvaiyaru]] at this site to accommodate the large audience that come to the concert in ever-increasing numbers every year.
 
==Annual aradhana festival at Thiruvaiyaru==
2016 – 169th aradhana festival – 24 to 28 January 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thiruvaiyaruthyagarajaaradhana.org/index-2.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114164024/http://thiruvaiyaruthyagarajaaradhana.org/index-2.html |archive-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This year annual aradhana festival organised by Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha commenced at [[Thiruvaiyaru]] on Sunday 24 January 2016.
Inaugurating the festival, ‘Nalli’ Kuppuswami Chetti, president of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, paid rich tributes to [[Bangalore Nagarathnamma]] Ammal who was instrumental in setting up the ‘adhishtanam’ for Sadguru Tyagabrahmmam.
Collector N. Subbaiyan said music played a crucial role in promoting universal peace and harmony. G. Rangasamy Moopanar, president of the Sabha, and [[G. K. Vasan|G.K. Vasan]], chairman of the trust, spoke.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/thyagaraja-aradhana-begins/article8149713.ece |title=Thyagaraja aradhana begins |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 25 January 2016|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>
 
2015 – 168th aradhana festival – 6 to 10 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chennaidecemberseason.com/2014/09/tiruvaiyaru-thyagaraja-aradhana-2015.html |title=Chennai December Season 2019: Tiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Aradhana 2015 dates |publisher=Chennaidecemberseason.com |date=2014-09-08 |access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> The inauguration of the festival at Thiruvaiyaru was inaugurated on 6 January 2015 by Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Madras High Court judge, by lighting lamp. ''Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha'' chairman [[G. K. Vasan|G.K. Vasan]] and sabha president G. Rangasamy Moopanar accompanied him<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/thyagaraja-aradhana-fest-begins/article6761535.ece# |title=Thyagaraja aradhana fest begins |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2015-01-07 |access-date=2019-11-22|last1=Renganathan |first1=L. }}</ref>
 
2014 – 167th aradhana festival <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/carnatic-musicians-pay-tribute-to-tyagaraja/article5601468.ece |title=Carnatic musicians pay tribute to Tyagaraja |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 21 January 2014|access-date=2019-11-22|last1=Srinivasan |first1=G. }}</ref>
 
2013 – 166th aradhana festival – 27 to 31 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/thyagaraja-aradhana-from-january-27/article4268767.ece |title=Thyagaraja aradhana from January 27 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2013-01-03 |access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>
 
2012 – 165th aradhana festival.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/aradhana-gains-momentum/article2833987.ece?topicpage=true&topicId=1102 |title=Aradhana gains momentum |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 26 January 2012|access-date=2019-11-22|last1=Srihari |first1=Gudipoodi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Music |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/images-of-tyagaraja-aradhana-in-tiruvaiyaru/article2801280.ece |title=Images of Tyagaraja Aradhana in Tiruvaiyaru |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 14 January 2012|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>
 
2011 – 164th aradhana festival.<ref>{{cite news|author=Music |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/thiruvaiyaru-thyagaraja-utsavam/article1121456.ece |title=Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Utsavam |newspaper=The Hindu |date= 24 January 2011|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>
 
==Festivals celebrated globally==
 
===United States===
In the United States, the [[Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival]] is held in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] every year around Easter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aradhana.org/|title=Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival|website=www.aradhana.org|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> Hundreds of Carnatic musicians preside over, and perform in the festival.
 
===Mauritius===
 
In the small pearl of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius Island, Tyagaraja Aradhana is celebrated with great devotion by the Vyasha Dhalia Ashram.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} Abhishekam is done for Shri Rama in the morning and followed by the Kritis of Tyagaraja Swami accompanied by instruments such as mridangam, morsing, ghatam, khanjira, veena, violin and the flute.
 
===Nigeria===
 
In Lagos, Nigeria, from the year 2007 every February, Tyagaraja Aradhana is being celebrated devotionally by Chinmaya Mission.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}  Children trained by experienced Gurus along with music instruments rendering sampradaya kirthanas of the compositions of Saint Tyagaraja in this function.
 
===United Kingdom===
In the United Kingdom there are various aradhanes. Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival UK - Londonil Thiruvaiyaru is organised and run by
committee in conjunction with Sri Duraiswamy music school run by Sri.Durai Balasubramanian, who was a former lecturer at Tamil Nadu Government music college. Many students from all over London perform Tygaraja krithis. The 8th aradhane took place on the 23.2.20. Artists Sriram Ganghadharan, Sri.R. Suryaprakash and Sri Rithvik Raja accompanied many senior artists of the UK.


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Music festivals in India]]
[[Category:Music festivals in India]]
[[Category:Carnatic classical music festivals]]
[[Category:Carnatic classical music festivals]]
[[Category:Concerts]]
[[Category:Concerts]]
[[Category:Music festivals established in 1846]]
[[Category:1846 in music]]
[[Category:Festivals established in 1846]]
[[Category:Music festivals established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Hindu music festivals]]
[[Category:Hindu music festivals]]

Latest revision as of 17:09, 8 February 2026


Thyagaraja Aradhana
The idol of Thyagaraja in the temple in Tiruvaiyaru
GenreCarnatic music
DatesJanuary / February
Location(s)Thiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu and Tirupati and Kakarla in Andhra Pradesh[1]
Years active1846–present
Music of India
A lady playing the Tanpura, c. 1735 (Rajasthan)
Genres
Traditional

Modern

Media and performance
Music awards
Music festivals
Music media
Nationalistic and patriotic songs
National anthemJana Gana Mana
Regional music
Sri Thyagaraja Swamy samadhi Temple in Tiruvaiyaru

Thyagaraja Aradhana is an annual aradhana (a Sanskrit term meaning act of glorifying God or a person) of Telugu saint composer Tyagaraja. The music festival is observed in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka[2][3] and Tamil Nadu, primarily in Tiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, the place where Tyagaraja attained Jeeva Samadhi.[4] The aradhana is observed on Pushya Bahula Panchami day when the saint attained Jeeva samadhi, where the musicians render the saint's Pancharatna Kritis.[5][6]

History[edit | edit source]

The aradhana (Ceremony of Adoration) is held every year on the anniversary of the demise of the saint. This is on Pushya Bahula Panchami day (the fifth day of the waning moon in the Hindu lunar month of Pushya). The Aradhana is held in the precincts of the samadhi (memorial) of the saint located at Thiruvaiyaru village, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.[7]

United States[edit | edit source]

In the United States, the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival is held in Cleveland, Ohio every year around Easter.[8]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Tirupati: Aradhana Mahotsavam of Sri Thyagaraja held". The New Indian Express. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  2. "Ritual Tyagaraja aradhana in Bengaluru this year". Deccan Herald. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  3. Ashraf, Fathima. "300 artists to pay homage to Thyagaraja at this music festival". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  4. "Renovated house of St. Thyagaraja to be inaugurated shortly". The Hindu. 19 May 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  5. Friday Review (6 January 2006). "Tiruvaiyaru gears up - CHEN". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  6. Pillai, S. Subramania (2019). Tourism in Tamil Nadu: Growth and Development. MJP Publisher. p. 14. ISBN 978-81-8094-432-1.
  7. "Saint Thyagarajar :: Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival". Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  8. "Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival". www.aradhana.org. Retrieved 1 December 2019.


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