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About Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru

Dear Rasikas,

On behalf of Lakshman Sruthi we wish to extend our heartfelt greetings and welcome you all for this wonderful event.

In the month of December, the iconic, magnificent and fulfilling ‘Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru’ music and dance festival, a landmark event is being conducted in chennai  city. Lakshman Sruthi Musicals has been conducting this event for the benefit of the rasikas at Kamarajar Arangam from December 18th – 25th every year.

In this astonishing 14th season, top notch performances by leading Carnatic and  Hindustani  stalwarts, legends, upcoming talents, musicians, dancers and discoursers have been scheduled to amaze you and take your breath away, with 60 enchanting shows  from 7:00 AM  to 10:00 PM daily.

For Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru, 2018 is landmark indeed, as we step into our second decade aspiring to impact the growth of the art in the coming years. ­Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru Season -14 is about to begin on 18th December in Kamarajar Arangam by 11.00 AM with S. Jayaraman’s Nadhaswaram performance, followed by the rendition of Pancharathna Kritis. This divine event will be participated by all leading singers and musicians on stage. Elaborate arrangements have been made for some 500 plus artists to participate in this ensemble on dais.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru Edappadi K. Palanisamy will inaugurate the 14th edition of  ”Chennaiyil  Thiruvaiyaru” on 18.12.2018 Tuesday, 4.45 p.m.


A Brief Introduction about Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru


All over the World, Tamil people as well as those who are associated with Carnatic Music are familiar with Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru. In 2005, we thought of conducting a music concert on behalf of Lakshman Sruthi Musicals and we wanted the event to be unique and different from others. Every year, all artists associated with Carnatic music assemble in Thiruvaiyaru and sing Thiyagarajar’s divine Pancharathna Keertanas soulfully. Why not we bring that the same ambience to Chennai, we contemplated. It was our decision to recreate that event and begin our music series with the Thyagaraja Aradhana in Chennai.Hence we named our event “Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru “.

A quick recap of the association between the month of Margazhi and music,

• Music is the Divine’s language
• Music is the link between the ordinary man and the supreme god
• Music is the invisible spring of compassion
• Music is the medicine for the broken heart
• Music is hard to resist even for rebels and atheists
• Music is present everywhere – be it temples, congregations, Church or Gurudwara


In other words, music is the means to experience and attain the divine. Music is beyond directions, countries, language, race, religion, or caste differences. It unites all. It touches hearts without any conditions attached. It is not an exaggeration to say that music has the power to overpower the five elements of air, water, fire, earth and ether. Next to sign language, music is a language understood by all.

What is special about the month of Margazhi?

God has created different seasons for different natural phenomena. Only during specific months do the flowers bloom, rains fall, winds blow, snow falls and crops grow. The season for music is Margazhi. Margazhi is said to be the king among months. Some of the highlights of this month are:

• Thiruppavai composed by Andal is sung during this month
• In Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna says that he is Margazhi among months
• Thiruvathirai in Margazhi is celebrated as the day Lord Siva danced in Chidambaram
• Manikkavasagar bestowed us with Thiruvasagam in this month
• Jesus Christ is believed to be born in this month to bless mankind
• The various names of Lord Vishnu is chanted as Hari Naama Sankeertanam in this month
• Colourful patterns are drawn with rice flour (kolam) outside the homes in this month
• The temple bells chime throughout the month
• The deities are consecrated every day in this month
Margazhi has many such specialities. Such a month uniting with the all-conquering music is the celebration of the music festival through Thyagaraja Aradhana.

He is the composer of the well-known kriti ‘Entharo Mahaanubhavulu’ and thousands of other songs. Amongst the composers and scholars of Carnatic music, he is the foremost.

Among his compositions, the Pancharatna Kritis are considered jewels. He has composed five songs in praise of his much-loved Lord Rama in five heavy ragas of Nattai, Gowlai, Aarabi, Varaali and Sree, which is sung by Carnatic musicians all over the world. Not just vocalists, but instrumentalists too play this with great enthusiasm.

On close observation ,we can see that many of these compositions in the heavy ragas are also played by classical musicians from the north as well as the west, because of which appreciation of Carnatic music is increasing among foreigners.

It is a matter of pride for every artist that the appreciation for these kritis crosses all boundaries. Such popular Pancharathna Kritis are performed every year in the divine land of Thiruvaiyar during the well known Thyagaraja Aradhana festival.

 Why & How Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru happened!


It is surprising but true that whether one is knowledgeable or not, all celebrate this Thyagaraja Aradhana festival with enthusiasm. Indeed, they are blessed who can listen in person to the artists from all directions coming and performing in the Thyagaraja Aradhana festival. Many music lovers make it a point to come from different part of country  to be a part of this festival.

It may not be possible for all of us to go to Thiruvaiyaru and witness the music ensemble. This very thought gave birth to the idea of holding a virtual Thiruvaiyaru festival here in Chennai itself. M/s Lakshman Sruthi Musicals have committed to organize this event and we have successfully conducted it for the past thirteen  years.


With the blessings of the Music Trinity, we wish to hold ‘Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru’ for the 14th Year in succession to the great happiness of musicians and rasikas alike. Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru brings the divinity of the Tanjore soil to Chennai, not only for the enthusiasts in the city but in all states of all countries.
Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru is the new wave of music festival that promotes the south Indian classical music form and preserves it for the future generations to cherish and nurture.

Regardless of age, gender and status as an artist, vocalists and instrumentalists are going to bring the glory of Thiruvaiyaru festival in front of our eyes. All participants as well as the audience will be provided a booklet containing the five kritis to facilitate their joining in as well as enjoy the concert.

A life time achievement  Award a Citation  with Gold Medal “Isaiyazhwar” title was instituted by Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru organizing committee in the year 2014 and presented to Nadhaswaram Exponent  Shri. Thiruvizha Jayasankar – 2014, Violin Maestro Padmashree A.Kanyakumari – 2015, Violin Legend Padmabhushan  L.Subramanian – 2016 and Mirudhnagam Maestro Padmavibhushan Shri. Umayalpuram Sivaraman – 2017

Thavil Maestro Padmashri  Shri. A.K. Palanivel will be receiving the prestigious “Isaiyazhwar” award for this year from our esteemed Chief Guest – Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru Edappadi K. Palanisamy – on the inaugural day, for his life time achievements and contribution to classical music .

This will be followed by vocal by Carnatic Choir Sudha Raja along with Anil Srinivasan – Piano and Flute by  Shashank at 6.00 pm. From December 19th onwards, there will be 8 concerts conducted every day, starting from 7 in the morning to 10 in the night.

Tribute to “Mellisai Mannar” M.S. Viswanathan

In the memory of “Mellisai Mannar” M.S. Viswanathan ,we will be attributing  a wax statue of “Mellisai Mannar” M.S. Viswanathan in the premises of Kamarajar Arangam for 8 days. This statue will be designed and sculptured to perfection as statues in Madame Tussauds  wax museum, London. Students and the public will be  allowed to visit and take pictures with the Statue and pay tributes to their ever inspirational legend.

Free Bus Drop: After the last show of the day, around 9.45 PM, 11 free buses will be operated from Kamarajar Arangam to major parts of the city for the convenience of rasikas to return back to their houses safely. The routes are Sholinganallur, Thiruvanmiyur, Medavakkam, Tambaram, Kundrathur, Poonamalle, Avadi, Red hills, Thiruvotriyur, Parrys, Perambur, Mylapore and other areas.

There will be 60 programs by senior and upcoming Carnatic, Hindustani musicians and classical dancers. The artists listed above have prepared and trained to present something unique and appealing for this event.

Kamarajar Arangam has also been decorated uniquely to create an authentic Thiruvaiyaru experience. It will be pleasing to the performing artists as well as the audience equally.

A senior artist will be part of every event and honour the performers. The audio and lighting systems have been spruced up and two large digital screens will be placed next to the stage so that the performance can be seen more clearly by the audience throughout the auditorium.

Honouring senior citizens:

As a special gesture, this year we have invited some 500 inmates of old age homes in and around Chennai for the 7.00 am show every day. So that these distinguished senior citizens could enjoy the divine programs like Nama Sangeerthnam, Upanyasam and Devotional discourses and have a great unforgettable outing of their life. To enable this, we have made elaborate arrangements which includes free transportation, breakfast, coffee & tea. A gift pack will also be presented to them with some essential drugs, soap, comb, mirror, towel, note, pen, first aid kit etc.,


We request you all to spread this news and give due coverage to this year’s Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru music festival to make it a grand success and expecting your kind co-operation in this regard.

CM inaugurated annual music fete Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru
CM inaugurated annual music fete Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru