Nineteen hours of musical offering

The Utsav was organised to celebrate the 416th birth anniversary of Raghavendraswami.

The team of artistes, set to perform for 19 hours beginning at 10 am on Saturday, held music lovers in awe. The Nadahara included performances by vocalists accompanied by artistes on flute, violin, mridangam and other instruments. Tyagaraja’s Pancharatna works, Raghavendraswami’s pieces and Purandaradasa’s songs were presented.

Led by Dr R Ganesh of Santhanam Rasikas Trust of Maharajapuram, Chennai, the team has been performing at religious functions for several years. The 350-member team includes boys and girls and senior artistes. Padmabhushan T K Murthy and Govindan too were part of the Nadahara.

Inauguration

Pontiff of the mutt, Suyatindratheertha Shripad, inaugurated the Nadahara.

Administrative officer of the mutt, R Prabhakara, said music was a representation of Goddess Saraswathi. “Nadahara is a musical tribute paid every year to Raghavendraswami, who was a patron of music,” he said.

Anandatheertha, in charge of the Tirupati Tirumala Dasa Sahitya Project, handed over to the mutt pontiff, a special cloth and chain belonging to Lord Venkateshwara and offered by the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams Trust for the Vardhanthi Utsav.

A panchamrita abhisheka was organised for the ‘Brindavan’ in the morning.

A palanquin ride and Raghavendra Vijaya Pravachana Mangalotsava too were held.