CELEBRATING THYAGARAJA ARADHANA WITH 5 POETIC GEMS
This is a contribution post by Anuradha Sowmyanarayanan
Thyagaraja Aradhana. Have you heard of this festival? The January 22nd of the year 2022 is special to all music lovers and music connoisseurs. This day marks the 175th Aradhana of Saint Thyagaraja. It is celebrated as Thyagaraja Aradhana. This festival is of five days starting from January 18th to 22nd. The main event of singing Pancharatna krithis will be held on the final day i.e., on 22nd January.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ON THE FINAL DAY?
The spectacular event is on this day when musicians gather on the banks of the river Kaveri on the samadhi of the sadhguru sri Thyagaraja Swamy at Thiryvairayury in Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Every year on the Pushya Bhagula Panchami day, his 5 best kritis known as Pancha Rathna Kritis are sung by all musicians together in unison. The five gems of Thyagaraja are:
- JAGADHANANDHA KARAKA
- DHUDUGU GALA
- SADHIN CHA NE
- KANAKANA RUCHI RA
- ENDARO MAHANU BHAVULU
A huge pandal is laid on the banks of the river Kaveri, and on the sands of the river a simple bed sheet/carpet is laid for seating. Vocalists and musicians world- wide try to participate in this huge gathering of Thyagaraja Aradhana. Artists are given first preference based on their grades. Audience are allowed to sit in the next row of the artist. Only artist are given mikes. The instrumentalists will be seated batch wise. Many established business institutions sponsor this festival. Every participant will be given a copy of Pancharatna Kritis and they are allowed to join the group in singing the same.
KNOW THE GREATNESS OF THE SAINT ON THYAGARAJA ARADHANA:
Saint Thyagaraja is one among The trinity’s of music. He has composed nearly 40,000 kritis on Lord Rama. He was born in Thiruvarur and attained Samadhi in Thiruvaiyaru. Thiruvaiyaru is a small village around 12 kms from Tanjore in TamilNadu.
In Tamil trinity were known as MUM-MOORTHIGAL. They were Thyagaraja, Syama sastrigal and Muthu swami dikshithar. They were named as trinity of Carnatic music because all three of them were born in the same place and contributed greatly for the development of Carnatic music.
HOW TO REACH THIRUVAIYARU?
Tanjavur and Trichy are the base to reach Thiruvaiyaru .Tanjavur is more closer to this place and it takes just half an hour to reach Thirivaiyarur. Cars and taxis run in between these places and special arrangements are also made by the local authorities. It is a local holiday too.
Along with this, everyone visit Tanjavur’s Brihadeshwara Temple and seek the blessings of the Lord Shiva. At Trichy Lord Ganesha is offered prayers at a hill top temple and at Srirangam Lord Ranganatha is worshipped.
TREAT FOR EARS AS WELL AS FOR TASTE BUD
Thiruvaiyaru offers culinary treat in the form of Asoka halwa. After having the musical treat, all are headed towards Andavar Halwa Shop to buy Asoka halwa. It’s a sweet dish that’s not to be missed in the visit to this place. It’s an ancient recipe and the same is followed without any modifications. Who- ever visits this place, he/she buys it in large quantities to distribute among neighbours and friends at their home town.
Thyagaraja Aradhana is an annual festival. It is celebrated with the same enthusiasm every year. It will be an everlasting experience if you attend it once. We are blessed to be part of the gathering in 2012. A music composer, a devotee of Lord Rama and a saint is remembered by the music world by rendering his own compositions. Won’t you love to witness this extravaganza?
THE METHOD OF PREPARATION OF THE FAMOUS ASOKA HALWA:
- Dry roast moong dal in a wok and by adding water cook it in a pressure cooker.
- Add ghee in a pan and roast cashew nuts and keep aside
- In the same pan fry the wheat flour
- Now add the cooked moong dal
- Add sugar and mix well
- Add ghee and keep stirring continuously
- Now add food colour or kesari powder and mix well
- When it thickens, add some more ghee
- Then add cardamom and cashew nuts
- Cook stirring continuously till the halwa starts to leave the sides of the pan and now it’s ready!
Hope you try this recipe and share the story of Thyagaraja Aradhana with your friends and family.
Anuradha Sowmyanarayanan is a tutor, blogger, poet, book reviewer and passionate reader. Her interest in reading and writing paved the way for her blog in 2016. Book Food Language is an amalgamation of the three elements.
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