Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairman Ramesh on Friday inaugurated the 164th annual aradhana of saint composer Thyagaraja at his samadhi on the banks of the Cauvery at Thiruvaiyaru.
Describing Thyagaraja as “Ram bhaktha” of all times, the Minister said Thiruvaiyaru was a place defined by geography, sanctified by history and celebrated by culture.
He also recalled the services rendered by Bangalore Nagarathnamma, one of his disciples. “I have read a book on Bangalore Nagarathnamma written by Sriram. Her services to Thyagaraja were remarkable. We don't recognise the services of women. But, when we think of Thaygaraja we should recall the services of Nagarathnamma. She did it spending her own money and that too when the country was not independent and gender equality was not practised. She put Thiruvaiyaru on the world map.”
The Minister also released a souvenir. Musicians Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman and T.N. Krishnan received the copies. G.K.Vasan, Union Minister of Shipping and G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president of the Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha, were among those who participated. A vocal concert by P. Unnikrishnan followed the inauguration.
