Indian Cultural Centre Festival of Carnatic Music pays homage to Saint Tyagaraja

The 16th edition of the annual carnatic music festival paying homage to the great carnatic music composer St. Tyagaraja was organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre on 14 February in Colombo.  

Acting High Commissioner of India Vinod K. Jacob graced the event as Chief Guest. Speaking at the occasion, Jacob paid homage to the great composer Tyagaraja and welcomed musicians who took part in the event. He noted that carnatic music is one of the common threads of cultural heritage between India and Sri Lanka. 

Students, faculties and musicians from all over Sri Lanka including University of Jaffna, Eastern University of Batticaloa, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Highlands College, Hatton, and students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre participated in the event. Almost 200 musicians from across Sri Lanka gathered to render famous Pancharatna Kirthis in Carnatic style composed by Saint Thyagaraja. 

Tyagarja Aradhna was initiated by the Indian Cultural Centre in 2005 as a brain child of Kalasuri Dr. Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan. Since then this celebration has grown to become one of the largest musical events organised by the Indian Cultural Centre. Around 500 music lovers attended this year’s edition. The program was organised in association with the Hindu Educational Society and the Express Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.