The annual two-day commemoration of nagaswaram exponent late Sheik Chinna Moulana began in the city on Saturday with a musical concert and felicitations to musicians.
The 20th year shradhanjali was inaugurated by S. Balasubramanian, chairman, City Union Bank Foundation (CUB Foundation) and former chairman and Managing Director, CUB. Dr. Balasubramanian said Sheik Chinna Moulana was the perfect example for music transcending religion and geographical location. “Their family kept Carnatic music alive down the years. Through them, Dr. Moulana will always live. When I was a child, I remember listening to him in festivals in Thanjavur. I knew no music then, I was just awestruck by how he could play non-stop for three to four hours,” he said.
Dr. Chinnamoulana Memorial Trust, in association with Ashok Leyland, felicitated nagaswaram artiste Kalyanapuram K.M. Ganesan and senior thavil artiste Thirurameswaram T.R. Kunchithapadham for their contributions to music for over 60 years. They received cheques of ₹25,000 each. Nagaswarams were handed out to six students learning the instrument while three students got thavil. Prasad S. Duggirala, vice-chairman, India Cultural Centre Temple, in Memphis City, USA, presented the instruments to the students.
Further, the trust this year instituted an endowment to encourage upcoming nagaswaram artistes by giving away Best Upcoming Nagaswaram Artiste Award. T.M. Umashankar received the award this year.
Following the ceremony, vidwan O.S.Thyagarajan, popularly known as OST, enthralled the audience as he paid musical homage to Sheik Chinna Moulana. The event will conclude with a nagaswaram concert by T.K.R. Ayyappan and T.K.R. Meenakshisundaram at 6.30 p.m.on Sunday at Hotel Sangam.