Date:31/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/31/stories/2006033118930400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Tribute to musical trinity

Special Correspondent

"An expression of gratitude for their monumental contributions"

MUSIC FESTIVAL: N.V.Subramanian of Saraswathi Vaggeyakara Trust (left), interacts with B.V. Raman, Sangeetha Nataka Academy awardee at the inauguration of the Music Trinity Jayanthi Festival, organised by the Trust in Chennai on Thursday. — Ph oto: S.Thanthoni

CHENNAI: In an effort to bring together the compositions of the legendary Carnatic music trinity — Syama Sastri, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Thyagaraja — the Saraswathi Vaggeyakara Trust is organising a six-day Music Trinity Jayanthi Series, to coincide with the birthstars of the composers.

"The compositions by the trinity have been the guiding spirit for later day composers. This is an effort to bring all their compositions under one umbrella and popular artistes will render the compositions. This is an expression of gratitude to the trinity," the trust's managing trustee, N. V. Subramanian said during the inauguration of the festival in Chennai on Thursday.

The festival is being organised in association with the Narada Gana Sabha.

The trust has been organising the festival for the past 15 years and has taken it to places such as Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Salem, Coimbatore and New Delhi, he added.

"The monumental contributions by the trinity to Carnatic music should be remembered with respect," B.V. Raman, Sangeetha Nataka Academy awardee, said.

While Sunday will feature compositions by Muthuswami Dikshitar, Saturday is devoted to compositions by Syama Sastri and Thursday to Thyagaraja.

The festival is currently on at the Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall.