BIRMINGHAM THYAGARAJA FESTIVAL

Indian history is full of exceptional devotees who proved the significance of love and spirituality. One such divine and gifted soul was the great  saint   and poet Thyagaraja was born in Tiruvarur, in Tamil Nadu in India on May 14, 1767. He was born in a Telugu Brahmin family.

Who is Thyagaraja?  

 Saint Thyagaraja (1767 – 1847 AD) was the most celebrated Carnatic Music Saint, Poet and Composer and is regarded as one of the trinity of Carnatic composers. He regarded Music as a meditation on the primordial sound. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyagaraja The greatness of Sri Thyagaraja is the way he linked the human to the divine. 

What makes this composer great? What makes him so special and revered and famous over the globe?

Saint Thyagaraja is the most celebrated Carnatic Music saint and is regarded as part of the trinity of Carnatic composers. The greatness of St Thyagaraja is the way he linked the human to the divine.What’s the saint’s message to humanity?Aspiration is human. Grace is divine. Sangeetha (music ) and bhakthi (devotion) should be acquired and practiced with humility. Thyagaraja Festival is one of the most popular and unique Annual South Asian Classical Music Festival celebrated all over the world to honour and pay homage to the great Singing Saint & Composer Thyagaraja. 

The compositions of Thyagaraja make the largest contribution to our knowledge of Carnatic music today. In volume and variety, no other composer has given us so much materialcovering so wide a range of ragas, their lakshanas(attributes), that  even by those with limited  music knowledge can attempt to sing.

His  compositions 

Saint Thyagaraja revolutionized the Carnatic Music during the 18th and 19th centuries. Carnatic music is a unique and distinct style of classical music predominant in the southern region in India. This style of music is based on unique ‘ragas and thalas’ (musical notes) like all other forms of Indian classical music. Carnatic music was performed in praise of several Hindu deities, and later it included singing the glory of great kingdoms. And beautifully portrays the bhakti(devotion) and Sringara (love) through the music. Thyagaraja was inclined towards music from an early age. He was greatly influenced by the great Indian epic Ramayana and the Hindu deity Lord Ram and composed thousands of compositions in his native language Telugu, on Lord Ram. Saint Thyagaraja is regarded as a global icon for his contributions to Carnatic music even till date. Two of his contemporaries also gained equal fame along with him in that era. They were Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar. Together, these three were known as the Trinity of Carnatic Music.His birthday is celebrated every year across the globe as Thyagaraja Aradhana or festival, as a mark of respect and thanksgiving - in honour of this great Saint and musical prodigy of all times. Many professionals, musicians and scholars of Carnatic music gather to perform music and is watched by millions of fervent fans of Indian classical music. To pay a common homage to the saint, five pancharathna kritis, (known as the five gems composed by Saint Thyagaraja) are selected and sung by all the musicians.

Why is Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival celebrated?  

The Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival is the annual music festival organised by ShruthiUK. ShruthiUK is a South Asian Arts organisation established in 2005 and now based in Birmingham, West Midlands.

This festival is a musical tribute to the great composer and poet- which demonstrates how India's cultural history enriches people’s everyday lives through the arts, its rich history, mythology and traditions, diverse languages, architecture and music and dance through the art of storytelling, a festival that brings the entire country and communities together through the Indian music and dance. It provides a cultural exchange of knowledge, experience, and awareness of the rich cultural traditions for all those who perform at the festival and to the wider audience. It is a festival that as much one of a social evolution – a journey towards equality achieved through the rich Indian classical art forms. And that is what makes it worth celebrating 

The festival, in its 8th year, is the flagship nationwide festival of South Indian Classical Music and Dance being held in the Midlands.

This is a celebration of musicians and dancers from across the UK and abroad to gather, participate and pay homage to the birth of the great Singing Saint and Composer Thyagaraja.

BIRMINGHAM THYAGARAJA FESTIVAL 2022

Shruthi UK is delighted to announce the 8th annual festival of Indian classical/folk music and dance to commemorate the life and contributions of the great Saint and composer, Thyagaraja.
 

Saint Thyagaraja is a renowned South Indian classical music composer, known for his proficiency in music, Hindu scriptures, and Sanskrit literature. His vibrant compositions, mostly in Telugu, reflect his devotion for the Hindu deity, Lord Rama.

We hope you're looking forward to the many music & dance tributes to St Thyagaraja as well as discussions about our rich Indian culture! 

Join us in the live and virtual celebrations on the 11th and 12th of March respectively.

Stay tuned for further updates on our distinguished performers and speakers, as well as global patrons, ambassadors, and youth ambassadors, who will be featuring in and supporting our event.

For further inquiries, please email us at info@shruthiuk.com. 

Saint Thyagaraja was a great devotee of Lord Rama and has composed numerous compositions in praise of Lord Rama. He has also composed the Utsava Sampradaya and Divyanama krithis These are the two examples of Carnatic Music in their pristine purity. His compositions was a perfect blend of both the lyrics and the melody, with a profound understanding of the Indian scriptures- the Vedas and the Upanishads namely.

On this day, musicians, dancers and percussionists gather from all over the U.K. to participate, perform and render a musical tribute to commemorate the great saint’s contribution to Carnatic Music.

Why should you attend the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival?

Thie festival aimes to offer a humble musical tribute to the great South Indian composer nad poert Thyagaraja. 

It also provides a great platform for all upcoming musicians, children and young adults to showcase their talent. Some consider it a blessing to perform at this festival with the belief that they would be able to pursue their musical learning.

Mission

The festival aims to promote positivity, appreciating a different culture, discipline and wellbeing through the vibrant Indian Culture and create great awareness of this rich and diverse style of music to the community and value to create a great learning experience.

The BTF particularly strives towards inspiring and encouraging the next generation of Indian Classical musicians and dancers as role models and ambassadors to preserve and sustain the rich cultural heritage.

Furthermore, it aims at children and young people in a bid to inspire and encourage them to consider a career in performing arts, regardless of all differences.

Thus, resulting in serving the cultural and creative sector to make a substantial contribution to the quality of life and its economy across the Midlands and also the UK through the Indian Classical art forms.

The festival has a day full of events planned out for both the children and the older people. Children and older people clad in traditional and ethnic Indian outfits in vibrant colours gather at the venue from all cross the U.K.

The Programme would include-

• Music concert by young talents and professionals
• Dance performances – Classical and Folk dance
• Talks, panel discussions on Indian Culture and art forms.
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Panchatantra Krithis – group presentations of the five gems composed by Saint Thyagaraja and ultimately surrender to the musical bliss.

The festival will bring together top notch and finest musicians and dancers from all across the UK and elsewhere

This is an Indian classical festival of music and dance aimed for all music and art lovers from diverse communities to experience the rich and vibrant Indian cultural heritage.
 

This year, the BTF is scheduled for Friday, 11th and  Saturday, 12th March  2022 (Virtual)