Date:20/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/20/stories/2007072052530300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

13-day Thyagaraja Festival begins

Special Correspondent

Chattisgarh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan inaugurates the event

TIRUPATI: The 13-day annual festival of music and dance, jointly being organised under the aegis of Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams and the Sri Thyagaraja Festival Committee, Tirupati, got off to a traditional start with Governor of Chattisgarh E.S.L. Narasimhan lighting the lamp.Addressing the gathering, the Governor quoted extensively from Srimad Ramayana and the Thyagaraja kritis to extol the greatness of the ‘bhakthi thathva’ which the saint poet had chosen as the central theme of his compositions. Mr. Narasimhan recalled the reported visit of Thyagayya to Tirupati in 1830 and referred to the two great kritis—‘Tera theeyaga rada’ and ‘Venkatesa ninu sevimpa’ which he had composed in praise of its presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara.

Complimenting the TTD for joining hands with the Thyagaraja Festival Committee to co-sponsor the annual celebrations, the Governor appealed to the partners bring out standard editions on the works of Vaggeyakara. TTD Trust Board Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy promised all possible help from the TTD to the festival committee for having a permanent auditorium of its own. He also honoured the Governor on the occasion.

Noted violin maestro T.N. Krishnan regaled the audience with his performance.