Telangana: Pancharatna Kritis enthral audience at Bodhan Tyagaraja Aradhana

The Tyagaraja Aradhana festival was celebrated at Bodhan with renditions of Pancharatna Kritis, flute and vocal performances, speeches on Vedic music, and classical dance, drawing wide participation from musicians, students and devotees

Nizamabad: The Aradhana festival of saint-composer Sri Tyagaraja Swamy was celebrated with grandeur at the Sri Rama Temple in Shakkar Nagar, Bodhan, on Sunday, drawing musicians, students and devotees from across the region.

The festival was organised by a management committee formed under the auspices of the sons, family members, well-wishers and disciples of the late renowned music scholars of Bodhan, Pratapa Ramakrishnaiah and Annapurnamma. Support for the event came from family members and admirers residing in various parts of the country and abroad.

---

The programme began with a welcome address by Gauri Shankara Shastri, son of Pratapa Ramakrishnaiah, who also presented an overview of the musical initiatives being undertaken by the committee. Another son, Pratapa Srinivas, currently based in Germany, explained the significance of the Aradhana festival and said it had been conducted annually for the past two years with the aim of nurturing at least 150 music artistes from Bodhan. He expressed gratitude to all supporters.

Renowned music scholar Dr T Swapna Rani of the Nizamabad Music School, along with 250 of her students, rendered the Pancharatna Kritis of Tyagaraja Swamy. Kritis such as Jagadanandakaraka, Endaro Mahanubhavulu, Nagumomu and Gandhamu Pooyaruga enthralled the audience, with prolonged applause for Bantureeti Koluvu Iyyavayya Rama.

Veteran flautist Rakesh Vaidya from Bodhan, aged over 70, captivated listeners with his performance. Vocal renditions were also presented by Pratapa Srinivas, Dr Lakshmi, Chandrakala, a disciple of Pratapa Ramakrishnaiah, and others. Several eminent personalities who could not attend sent their greetings through video messages.

Speaking on the occasion, Vedic scholar Subrahmanya Dikshitulu and Annamayya Sankeertana researcher Gandham Shankar highlighted the importance of Vedic music and the role of sustained musical practice in attaining fulfilment in life. The festival also featured classical dance performances based on Kirtanas praising the Paramathma.