Tyagaraja Aradhana seva held every year at Tiruvaiyaru attracts musicians and devotees from all over the world. The Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha has unfailingly made arrangements for the annual festival year after year. Preparations begin three months before the Aradhana festival and the selection of artistes for singing during the Aradhana is an important task. Artistes of the All India Radio are given priority on the basis of their grade. Young and upcoming artistes too are given opportunities.
Upcoming artistes get an opportunity every three years. “An artiste who gets a chance this year, will have to wait for another two years to get the next opportunity. This, we do to overcome the rush and to provide an opportunity to everyone,” says M.R. Panchanatham, Trustee of the Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha. Upcoming artistes are selected for singing at the Aradhana based on their performance. Nearly 1,000 to 1,200 artistes perform during the Aradhana festival every year.
The Sabha has constructed guest rooms and wedding halls near the samadhi. People stay in those places also. A railway booking counter functions near the samadhi to help devotees book tickets. Special buses are run to transport people to Thanjavur at the close of music concerts. Visitors can buy food, music CDs and books from the stalls put up near the samadhi.
Published - January 14, 2012 02:50 pm IST
