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Thyagaraja Music Festival
Thyagaraja Music Festival is held every year in the month of January and February. It is an event in Carnatic music.

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Thyagaraja Music Festival, Tamil NaduThyagaraja Music Festival is an annual event in Carnatic music festival. Formally this festival is known as Thyagaraja Aradhana, and is held in the month of January and February every year. For the purpose of this festival, big names in the field of Carnatic music arrive in the small village of Tiruvayaru in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.

The festival is cherished and loved by thousands of enthusiastic fans of Indian classical music, who turn up for the event every year. This festival is organized in the fond memory of saint Thyagraja. One of the important attractions of this five day music gala festival is the recital of Pancharatna Kritis` by a galaxy of musicians at the samadhi of Thyagaraja. It is with this respect and love for the guru the music fest is organized and celebrated.

History of Thyagaraja Music Festival
As the name suggests, Thyagaraja Music Festival, is celebrated in the memory of great musician cum saint Thyagraja. This festival is held on a yearly basis in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, where Thyagraja spent his whole lifetime and also attained Samadhi. This musical extravaganza is 8 day long show where leading singers and musicians, of Carnatic music, from all parts of the country, perform.

History says that once there lived a woman, a rich temple dancer, named Nagarathnammal. She came to pay her homage to Thyagraja`s memories but due to discrimination against women she wasn`t allowed to dedicate her earnings to the saint. So she bought the land on which Thyagraja`s memorial stood and built a temple on it. Even after her being declared the owner on the temple, she wasn`t allowed rights over her own property. Thereafter, many court cases followed. Finally in the year 1941, first `Aradhna` as we know today was held and it continues even today. The music festival is so popular that it has continued for decades and completed its 162nd anniversary in the year 2009.

Spread of the Thyagaraja Music Festival
Main appeal of Thyagaraja music festival happens to be the group performance by the well-known musicians of the Pancharathna Krithis. To pay homage and honour the works of great saint Thyagraja, what can be a better idea than the performance of Pancharathna Krithis, his five compositions that came to be popularly known as the five gems! Even today Thyagraja is loved and admired for his five gems. He is and will always remain the role model for all who play and practise Carnatic music. The Pancharathna Krithis are: Dudukugala - Raga Gaula, Jagadananda Karaka - Raga Naata, Sadhinchene - Raga Arabhi, Kanakana Ruchira - Raga Varali, Endaro Mahanubhavulu - Raga Sri.

Thyagaraja Music Festival gives opportunity to young upcoming musicians to showcase their talents. Popular, renowned and well-known musicians get an opportunity to interact with their audience through the language of music. Fans also love to see their favourite musician perform on stage. This festival acts as an important platform for aspiring artists and singers. Thyagraja Aradhana is popular not only in India but around the world, in Europe and USA. As this festival is celebrated during the time of Easter, thousand of Carnatic music lover gather to cherish India`s rich heritage.


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