Today we successfully conducted the Tyagaraja Aradhan in our complex. For those of you who are not aware, Tyagaraja is one of the foremost proponents and composers of Carnatic Music. The Tyagaraja Aradhana is an annual Carnatic music festival conducted in January and February.

For long, we have had a number of events for children and adults who think they are young. We wanted to conduct an event that will appeal to the many senior members of the complex as well.

Hence this Aradhana. We had more than 150 members attend the event. We started off with some of the kids rendering the classical music. This was followed by the senior members who regaled the audience. Little did we know that we have so much of classical talent in the complex! Actually, this was a push by our Association President. He is an excellent Mridangam artiste.

Here is a link to some of the pictures taken of the event.  

We had invited the Nitya Kalyani Group led by Srimathi Janaki Sreesha. They rendered the Pancharatna Kriti as well as a few songs composed by Punandara Dasa the renowned Kannadiga composer. The group kept all of us spell-bound for more than an hour. Many in the audience also joined in. The environment reverberated with spiritual music.

This was followed by a sumptuous Lunch Prasadam for everyone who attended the event. More than 150 people attended the event. Many elder citizens of the campus participate enthusiastically.

One of the senior members in the complex, mentioned that this is the first time an event of this nature was being organized in the complex. For long, we had Carnivals, New Year Parties and events that in a sense cater to our pseudo modern outlook. This was an event that was pure Indian culture. Unadulterated.

It was brilliant. We had many senior citizens actually step out for the first time into the club house. It made me think. For the last 5 years, many of our parents did not have a single event in the campus that appeals to them. Of course, our parents enjoy carnivals, and birthday parties too. But I think they enjoy them because we do. And its not like they had a choice. They adjust.

I wonder how many Apartment communities have organized Carnatic recitals and Bharatnatyam performances.  I for one realized that these sort of performances still pull in a huge crowd. A lot of our kids learn classical dance and music. But for most occasions, they sing a Bollywood song or dance to one.  Should we not organize more classical performances? Many apartments easily comprise of 2000 members. Even if 200 turn up, it’s an excellent audience size. Iam keen to know your opinions.