The Shanmukhananda Fine arts and Sangeetha Sabha, established in 1952, to promote art and culture in the city of Bombay, has, under the dynamic leadership of Dr. V. Shankar, become a name to reckon with in not only the promotion and propagation of dance, drama and music but also in the various activities and facilities it offers to the people of Mumbai.
The Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium is the largest state-of-the-art auditorium in India with sophisticated acoustics and architectural aesthetics. It serves as the venue for the most prestigious cultural events. Among them are those related to Sri Tyagaraja.
In the ground floor foyer is a big ebonite statue of M.S. Subbulakshmi, and recently, a huge idol of Saint Tyagaraja has been placed there. This five-foot panchaloha idol, weighing 650 kg, was made-to-order in Kumbakonam. Detailed information about the life and times of the great saint-composer has been put up too. The idol occupies pride of place in the foyer and those who come to the hall can pay their respects.
Besides organising classical music and dance performances of established and up and coming artistes every month, the Sabha conducts competitions, celebrates vaggeyakara days to highlight the works of our great composers, organises drama and dance festivals and a Bhajanotsavam that precedes the Tyagaraja Festival. The Mahaswami Festival, a homage to Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, is held every year with Sri Jayendra Saraswathi in attendance.
On Pushya Bahula Panchami each year, the morning begins with Unchavritti led by Udayalur Shri Kalyanaraman, followed by puja and abhishekam to the panchaloha idol of Saint Tyagaraja. This is followed by a group rendition of the Pancharatnams by students and staff of the Vidyalaya. In the evening, after vedic chanting by the SIES Veda Paathashala students, abhishekam for the Siva lingam is performed. Nearly 100 musicians — young and old — from Mumbai gather in the main auditorium for the group rendition.
Beginning with Sri Ganapatini in Saurashtram, Guruleka in Gowrimanohari, they proceed to sing the Pancharatna kritis. What is noteworthy here is that this is a well-rehearsed presentation and therefore meets the high standards set by the Sabha. A brief tanam on the veena precedes each kriti. The aradhana held two months ago, saw a record turnout of 103 musicians. The entire programme was telecast live by Sri Sankara TV. Namasankeertananams as well as plays relating to Tyagaraja’s life are also presented around this time.
Elaborate plans
This year marks the 250th birth anniversary of Saint Tyagaraja and the Sabha has made elaborate plans to celebrate the sestercentennial event. The 10-day festival commenced yesterday with pujas, including a group rendering of Pancharatna kritis. The movie, Bhakta Sri Tyagaraja and a Films Division documentary on the saint composer were screened. The Vidyalaya students rendered the Lalgudi, Kovur, Tiruvottriyur and Srirangam Pancharatnam.
Today, Gayathri Girish will sing the compositions of Tyagaraja on deities other than Rama. Tomorrow, May 6, Shertalai Renganatha Sharma will present Tyagaraja kritis on Devi. On May 7, Rajshri Ramakrishnan and Dr. R. Hemalatha will present a lec-dem on Patantharam. On May 8, Jayanti Subramaniam will present a dance-drama based on Tyagaraja’s ‘Nauka Charitam’. On May 13, Kalyanapuram Shri Aravamudhuchariar will present ‘Tyagaraja Ramayanam.’ On May 14, Radha Bhaskar will present a lec-dem on various aspects of ‘Artistry in the compositions of Sri Tyagaraja.’ ‘Antarmukha Tyagaraja,’ will be presented by Padma Sugavanam on May 15.
The writer is a dancer, musician and composer and heads the Shanmukhananda Dance School
