Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar Music Festival
Place: Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala
Venue : Sri Chembai Memorial Hall
Time : September
A 3-day Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar music festival is held annually in
Thiruvanathapuram (Trivandrum), capital of Kerala state in September in
commemoration with the birth anniversary celebrations of late music maestro
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, an exceptionally talented Carnatic musician
from Chembai, Palakkad in Kerala.
Organised by Sri Chembai Memorial trust in Thiruvananthapuram this annual festival
holds performances of eminent Carnatic artists.
Chembai was born on September 1, 1896
to a family of Carnatic musicians. He lived in a period which was considered
the golden era of Carnatic music. Chembai's powerful yet melodious voice could
enthrall audience of his times. An ardent devotee of Sree Krishna he
attributed all his success to Guruvayoorappan. He was the recipient of
numerous honours and recognitions. Gayana Gandharva (1940), Sangita Kalanidhi
title (1951), Sangeeta Natak Akademi award (1958), Padmabhushan from President
of India (1973), Sangita Samrat title conferred on him by Swami
Sivanandaw etc were some of the prestigious honours. He passed away on
October 16th 1974, at 78 years, of a cardiac arrest just after giving a concert
at a temple in Ottappalam.
Several music festivals are held in memory of the great
music maestro, of which the ones held at Chembai,
his birth place in February - March called Chembai Ekadashi music festival, the festival in Thiruvanthapuram
in September and the
Chembai Sangeetholsavam held at Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor in November
are the most notable.
Contact Address Sri Chembai
Memorial Trust
Ayodhya Nagar
Sreevaraham
Thiruvananthapuram - 695009
How to get there
Air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport located at Valiyathura is 6kms from the
city. Many international air carriers operate daily international flights to the
Middle East, Male and Sri Lanka from Thiruvananthapuram. Indian Airlines has
direct communications to Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. Jet Air (Gulf
Air) has daily flights to Mumbai and Chennai.
Rail
Thiruvananthapuram is an important railway terminus on the southwestern coast.
The main railway station is the Central station located at Thampanoor. The
booking office is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 2pm and 2.15-8pm. Sunday
from 8am to 2pm. Railway enquiry Ph: 131.
Road
Thampanoor (opposite Railway Station - Ph: 0471-2323886) is the main bus
terminal in Thiruvananthapuram. All of the long distance buses leave from here.
The city bus terminal (Ph: 0471- 2463029) is situated at Fort from where most of
the city service originates. State and National Highways connect
Thiruvananthapuram to all major Indian cities.
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