Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru 2016 Highlights and Schedule Details

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru 2016 Highlights
* Mega music & dance festival
* 12th consecutive year
* From Dec. 18th to 25th for 8 days
* 8 programs everyday
* From 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. daily
* 60 shows in total
* @ heart of the city... Teynampet, Kamarajar Arangam
* Traditional  rendering of Pancharatna Kritis by 500 plus artists
* More than one lakh audience in 8 days
* Nearly 2 crore TV viewers worldwide
* A noble cause in promoting our nation's rich cultural heritage to the global audience
* Yezhisai Arasi Smt. Vani Jayaram will inaugurate the  12th season
* 'Iyakkunar Imayam' Shri Bharthiraja will open the wax statues of Bharath Ratna's  Makkal Thilagam MGR & MS.Subbulakshmi
* Isai Azhwar award will be conferred on violin maestro L.Subramaniyam
* Free bus transportation to the fans after 9.45 p.m.
* Elaborate parking arrangements
* Bumper and mega prizes to the audience
* A mega food festival with 70 Stalls
* 20 feet tall 'Gadodhgaja' statue @ the entrance of food courts
* Special invite to senior citizens

Dear friends from the press and media,

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 the city. Lakshman Sruthi Musicals has been conducting this for the benefit of the rasikas at Kamarajar Arangam from December 18th - 25 th every year.

In this astonishing 12 th 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 58 enchanting shows  from 7:00 AM  to 10:00 PM daily.

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru season-12 is about to begin on 18 th December in Kamarajar Arangam by 11.00 am with Shri. Thirupampuram T.S.H.Ramanathan's Nadhaswaram performance, followed by the rendition of Pancharathna Kritis. This divine event will be lead by Padma Bhushan P.S.Narayanasamy, elaborate arrangements have been made for some 500 plus artists to participate in this ensemble. 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 participation as well as enjoying the concert.


Legendary singer Yaezhisai Arasi Smt. Vani Jayaram will Light the lamp and Inaugurate the 12th season of  ”Chennaiyil  Thiruvaiyaru” by 3.30 p.m
A Brief Introduction about Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru

World over, Tamil people as well as those who are associated with Carnatic Music are familiar with Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru. We wish to share the reason for naming it thus and the idea that sparked the creation of this event.

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 bring that 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 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 make it a point to come from even across boundaries to be 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 eleven years.

With the blessings of the Music Trinity, we wish to hold 'Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru' for the 12 th 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 across from all the districts of the state, from across different states and even 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.

CT-Season 12's Highlights
“Isaiyazhwar” title was instituted by Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru organizing committee in the year 2014 and presented to Nadhaswaram Exponent  Shri. Thiruvizha Jayasankar. In 2015, Violin Maestro Padmashree A.Kanyakumari recieved the prestigious award. This year, violin maestro L.Subramaniyam will be conferred with this coveted award for his exemplary contribution and life time achievements. Following the inauguration and award ceremony, concert by the violin maestro himself by 4.45 pm will enthrall the audience and Padmasree Shobana's Barathanatyam programme to begin by 7.30 pm.  

From December 19th onwards, there will be 8 concerts to be conducted every day, starting from 7 in the morning to 10 in the night.

Wax Statues of M.S.Subbulakshmi & MGR
Last year, we have erected a wax statue of ‘Bharat Rathna’ Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam in the premises of Kamarajar Arangam and this year too we are going to install the statues of Bharat Rathnas Makkal Thilagam M.G.Ramachandiran and Isaiyarasi Smt. M.S.Subbulakshmi to commemorate their centenary year celebrations. These statues will be designed and sculptured to perfection, in line with the international standard of Madame Tussauds wax museum (London),in association with The Vels University, Pallavaram Chennai and Suswaralakshmi foundation. Students and the public will be  allowed to visit and take pictures with the Statues and pay tributes.

Free Bus Drop: After the last show of the day, around 9.45 PM, 12 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. Those who wants to avail this facility, please mail/sms your name and co-passengers and destination details well in advance to the following number: 98412 98512, 98412 99966. Courtesy: S.B.L.T Shri Bhaghyalakshmi tours & travels.

Honouring Senior Citizens:

As a special gesture, this year too we are going to provide free passes to 500 inmates of old age homes in and around Chennai by 9.45 a.m everyday. So that these distinguished senior citizens could enjoy the divine programs like Nama Sanggerthanam, Upanyasam and devotional discourses and have a great unforgettable outing of their life. To enable this we have made elobarate arrangements which includes free transportation.

Food Festival 2016:

To delight the rasikas of Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru, a Food Festival is also being organized, along with the musical fest, within the same premises. Rasikas & NRI Visitors will have the opportunity to taste various Indian and International Food during the eight day festival at a single point.
We knew what you have missed and what you are longing for! Just forget those mind numbing pizza/burger/… etc, for a while and get ready to plunge in to your favorite traditional food items and enjoy the warmth of our ‘VIRUNDHOMBAL’.
The food fest comprises of innovative, concept-oriented food stalls, exotic cuisine, competitions, vegetable carving, ice carving, organic and bio food stalls and cookery exhibits by leading chefs who are committed to serving you an unforgettable feast. we have special stall for Organic herbal terrace garden making and maintaing ideas and the leading chefs from all over India will certainly take care of serving you an unforgettable feast. ‘Thalai vaazhai’ is ready! So, come with family and find the treasure! with CT Food festival 2016. Just be prepared to grab this wonderful serving from Lakshman Sruthi. Convey the same to your friends and music lovers.

Statue of GADODHGHAJA!

To surprise the audience, especially the children, we are going to install a giant statue of GADODHGAJA at the entrance of food courts. This will be modelled in line with the depiction of this lovely character in the film 'MAYA BAZAAR'.   Sponsored By Nandhinee Sweets.

Schedule of Season 12
"Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru" Schedule, December 2016
18 December 2016 - Sunday
11.00am Nadhaswaram - T.S.H Ramanathan
2.00pm Pancharatna Krithis - P.S. Narayanaswamy
3.30pm Inauguration Of Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru Season -12 Lighting Kuthu Vilakku By Shri Vani Jairam. Unveiling of M.S & M.G.R wax Statues By Thiru.Bharathiraja
4.45pm Violin -L. Subramaniam
7.30pm Bharatanatyam -  Shobana
19 December 2016 - Monday
7.00am Discourse - Dr. Bala Govinda Das
8.30am Bharatanatyam - Shubiksha Ganesh
9.45am Bharatanatyam -  Shubhavandhana Chandramohan
11.00am Bharatanatyam - Narthaki Nataraj
1.00pm Vocal - S.Aishwarya
2.45pm Dance - Mera Shyam
4.45pm Vocal - Abhishek Raghuram
7.30pm Veena- Rajhesh Vaidhya,Bhurbhayan Chatterji
20 December 2016 - Tuesday
7.00am Namasankeerthanam - Udayalur Kalyanaraman
8.30am Bharatanatyam -  Amritha
9.45am Bharatanatyam -  Meenakshi Anand
11.00am Vocal - Savita, Suchithra, Vasudha Ravi (Sant Pravaham)
1.00pm Vocal - Maalavika
2.45pm Vocal -  Ashok Ramani
4.45pm Vocal -  Mahathi
7.30pm Vocal -  Unnikrishnan
21 December 2016 - Wednesday
7.00am Namasankeerthanam -Damal Ramakrishnan
8.30am Bharatanatyam  -Thejaswini
9.45am Bharatanatyam  - Dhiksha kishore
11.00am Vocal - Chinmaya Sisters
1.00pm Vocal - T K Ramachandran
2.45pm Bakthi Voyage - Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman
4.45pm Bharatanatyam  - Madurai R Muralidaran
7.30pm Vocal - Nithyasree Mahadevan
22 December 2016 - Thursday
7.00am Namasankeerthanam - O S. Sundar
8.30am Vocal- Ramnath Venkat Bhagavath
9.45am Vocal -P V Parameswaran
11.00am Vocal - Padithurai Padalgal
1.00pm Bharatanatyam - Subathra Marimuthu
2.45pm Veena - Revathy Krishna
4.45pm Vocal -Sikkil Gurucharan
7.30pm Guitar - Prasanna
23 December 2016 - Friday
7.00am Discourse - Mangayarkarasi
8.30am Bharatanatyam - Prathishta Gnanaratnasingham
9.45am Bharatanatyam - Shakana
11.00am Vocal - Nisha Rajagopal & Amritha Murali
1.00pm Bharatanatyam - Mayuri Academy
2.45pm Violin -  Lalitha & Nandini
4.45pm Bharatanatyam - Urmila Sathyanarayanan
7.30pm Vocal -Sid Sriram
24 December 2016 - Saturday
7.00am Namasankeerthanam - Tukaram Ganapathi
8.30am Hindustani -Ida Balakrishnan
9.45am Bharatanatyam -Meenakshi Raghavan
11.00am Vocal - Shobana Vignesh
1.00pm Bharatanatyam -Vinisha Kathiravan
2.45pm Vocal - Carnatica Brothers & Dushyanth Sridhar
4.45pm Vocal - S.Sowmya
7.30pm Vocal - Sudha Ragunathan
25 December 2016 - Sunday
7.00am Namasankeerthanam - Cuddalore Gopi
8.30am Namasankeerthanam -Nava Gana Bhajana Mandali
9.45am Bharatanatyam - Vithisha
11.00am Vocal - Haricharan
1.00pm Vocal - Dr. Ganesh
2.45pm Vocal -Shoba Chandrasekhar
4.45pm Vocal -Aruna Sairam
7.30pm Vocal -Karthik

This year, the concerts will be recorded and telecasted in Zee Tamil Television.

The invitations have been printed in a colourful manner to honour the artists better.
Season ticket for those interested in all the events or tickets for individual shows will also be available. Those who booking in bulk numbers will be given attractive discounts. For the convenience of the rasikas, tickets have been made available at multiple locations – Kamarajar Arangam at Teynampet, Lakshman Sruthi Musicals at Vadapalani, M6 Events at CIT Nagar near Nandi Statue,

For further details & contact: 044-44412345, 8667687066, 8667588530,
9841907711, 8608979999
For online Booking:  www.lakshmansruthi.com, www.bookmyshow.com,www.vikatan.com, www.raaaga.com, www.pramaarts.com
For more details :
www.chennaiyilthiruvaiyaru.com
https://www.facebook.com/Chennaiyilthiruvaiyaruofficial
http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/Food-Festival/index.asp
Mail id -  ct@lakshmansruthi.com


The nearby Congress Grounds has been hired to accommodate thousands of two and four wheelers for hassle free parking.
A general exhibition is also being hosted in the grounds for books, products related to music, and a range of other products and services from beauty products to property to banks.
Our volunteers will guide the audience to locate their respective seats and look after any other assistance.
Advertisement campaign is placed in all leading Press, TV, Radio and Websites.

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.

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru Organising Committee,
Lakshman Sruthi Musicals.


The Organizers - Lakshman Sruthi
They have the distinction of having given over 8000 live music performances in the past 29years. They also hold the record for non-stop 36 hours music show, thus endearing themselves to the Tamils all over the world.

Lakshman Sruthi Musicals:
The music super market promoted by them, sells musical instruments, music cassettes, CDs, DVDs, books on music, music related gift items etc. They also run a rehearsal studio, a music school, a service center for musical instruments. They also rent out music instruments for movie recordings and film shootings. Afficianados of all kinds of music visit this establishment regularly for all their requirements.

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru  2016  Sponsors :

Title Sposor :
Zee Tamil - 'SARIGAMA CHAMPS' - Saturday & Sunday 7.00 p.m.
Co-Presented by:
Sathya
Co-Sponsor:
* Bharat University
* Sakthi Masala
* The Chennai Homes
* Vel's University

Media Sposor:
* Ananda Vikatan
* Malai Murasu

Associate Sponsor:
* Sree Kaleeswari fire works
* Anandam - Retirement community
* Lakshmi Ceramics
* Andhra Bank
* HCL - HCL Info Systems
* Bank of Baroda
* Chettinad Cement
* Arasu Jewells
* Madras City Properties

Health Insurance Partner
* Star Health Insurances
Official Sponsors
* State Bank of India
* S.B.L.T Shri Bhaghyalakshmi tours & travels
* Karur Vysya Bank
* Nathella Jewellary
* Indian Bank
* Naidu Hall
* One Life
* Serene - Senior Living
* UCO Bank
* Gopuram - Turmeric powder & Kungum
* Allahabad Bank
* Indian Oil Corporation
* Raja Constructions
* Adayar Ananda Bhawan
* Sri Gokulam Chits
* Madura Travels
* Prama Arts

Music Partner
* Raaga.com
Online Partner
* Galaatta.com
Social Media Partner
* Black Mount
Multiplex Partner
* Mayaajaal - Mayan's Luxury Villas
Radio Partner
* Suriyan FM
Official PRO
* Nikil Communication
Knowledge Partner
* Skill Angels.com
Event Organisers
* M6 Events

Sponsors of Food Festival
Title Sponsor
* Sakthi Masala
Powered by
* Health Basket
* Orysa
Co-Sponsors
* Homeocare International
* Sowbaghya
* Nandhinee Sweets
* Brain Carve
* Maga Elegance - Style Saloon

Food Festival Organisers
Media Solutions - 98422 88715