humanityashore.com

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi (Festival of Music) is held annually by the Colombo Kamban Kazhagam.

Members of Kamban Kazhagam got displaced from Jaffna in 1995, and relocated themselves in Colombo. The activities of the Kamban Kazhagaman began soon after the relocation in Colombo.

Local musicians decorated the Isai Aranagu at dusk, while the Indian musicians decorated the Isai Per Arangu in the nights. The hall was packed with the Carnatic music lovers.

Here is a pictorial of Day 1:

Instrumentalists taking part in Thyagarajah Aradhana before the inauguration of eight days long Festival of Music

Musicians gathered to pay tribute to Genius Thyagaraja before the Festival of Music

Vocalists taking part in Thyagarajah Aradhana before the inauguration of eight days long Festival of Music

R.V.S.Ganeshamoorthy (Nathaswaram), V.R.S.Sooriyaprasath (Nathasawarm), K.P.R.Ravishangar (Thavil) and G.Sivaram (Thavil) decorate the Isai Arangu on the first day

The Treasurer of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam S.A.Balendran performs the religious rituals

Director of MTV Mrs.Shanthi Bakeerathan lights the oil lamp, and inaugurates the events for the first day of the Festival of Music

T.Sivashangar welcomes the audience

Retired Supreme Court Judge and the Grand Patron of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam C.V.Wigneswaran making the inaugural speech

Shanthi Bakeerathan is being honoured by the Grand Patron of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam C.V.Wigneswaran while the President of Colombo Kamban kazhagam T.Easwram looks on

Violin artiste H.N.Baskar is being honoured by the Grand Patron Colombo Kamban Kazhagam C.V.Wigneswaran while the President of Colombo Kamban kazhagam

Miruthamgam artiste P. Sivaraman is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban kazhagam T.Easwram, while the Grand Patron of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam C.V.Wigneswaram looks on

Ganjira artiste K.V.Gopalakrishnan is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban kazhagam T.Easwram, while the President of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam C.V.Wigneswaram looks on

Musician Sutha Ragunathan honoured

Musician Sutha Ragunathan decorates the Isai Per Arangu on the first day of the Festival of Music

A section of audience at the Festival of Music

Musician Sutha Ragunathan with her accompanists

Musician Sutha Ragunathan sings at Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008

Audience at Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008

Annual Festival of Music drew large number of Carnatic music lovers in Colombo

Another section of the spectacular audience

[Arumuga Adimaiyai Kai Viduthal Aram Alla Iraivane ~ Rendered by Sudha Ragunathan ~ Raga: Sudha Saveri; Tala: Adi]

[Alt Windows Media Player]

[Slide presentation of Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008]

Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008 was held from March 15th-22nd 2008, at Ramakrishna Mission hall. Thyagaraja Aradhana was performed by the participating musicians and artistes on March 12th 2008, before the mega Festival of Music began on March 15th 2008.

- Pictorial of Day 2

- Pictorial of Day 3
__________________________________________
Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com