Homage paid to nadaswaram exponent

TIRUCHI

The 23rd annual aradhana and anniversary of Sheik Chinna Moulana, a two-day event hosted by Dr. Chinnamoulana Memorial Trust, got underway in the city on Tuesday.

The evening began with the felicitation of Keezhvelur N. G. Ganesa Pillai, senior nadaswaram artiste, and thavil exponent Papanasam R. Narayanasamy Pillai. The veterans were also presented with a cash purse of ₹25,000 each by the trust.

Young nadaswaram player Desur S. Shanmughasundharam and thavil percussionist Vellore R. Jayaprakash were presented with the Upcoming Artiste Awards.

This was followed by a vocal recital by Kunnakudi M. Balamuralikrishna.

V.V. Sundaram, the key person behind the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival, inaugurated the shradhdhanjali in the presence of P. Umamaheswari, Principal, Government Music College, Thiruvaiyaru, and S. Kasim, grandson of late Sheik Chinna Moulana and trustee.

In his address, Mr. Sundaram recalled the pioneering work done by the nadaswaram maestro in popularising classical music beyond Indian shores in the 1970s. “His concert series in the United States laid the foundation of similar cultural programmes featuring other Indian artistes,” he said.

Ms. Umamaheswari said Sheik Chinna Moulana had served as the honorary principal of the Government Music College in the 1980s, when he had helped to raise the standard of the curriculum.