D.S.Sanal Dhas
Ph.D.Research Scholar, Department of History, S.T.Hindu College, Nagercoil.
Abstract
Thiruvananthapuram is a land of rich cultural heritage. The word culture derives from the Latin word colere which means to cultivate. Nineteenth Century saw the beginning of a cultural renaissance in Thiruvananthapuram. The governments of Travancore undertook several cultural pursuits under their auspices. New institutions which have an important place in the cultural life of the people of Thiruvananthapuram came to be set up. The reign of Swathi Thirunal saw the beginning of such ventures there. His reign has been called the “Augustan Age of Kerala Music” himself a musician and composer of high calibre, Swathi Tirunal was a generous patron of music and musicians.
Thiruvananthapuram observatory was founded in 1836. Thiruvananthapuram Museum and Zoo, one of the biggest of its kind in the country was started in 1853 during the reign of Ailyam Tirunal. The reign of Sri Mulam Tirunal saw further strides in the cultural field. The Sri Chitra Art Gallery came into existence at Thiruvananthapuram in 1953 during the reign of Sri Chitra Tirunal Bala Rama Varma. The Radio which is an important agency in the dissemination of culture among the masses made its appearance in 1943. Its broadcast service was started at Thiruvananthapuram under the auspices of the Travancore Government. The station was taken over by the All India Television, Newspapers and periodicals also did its work for the promotion of culture among the people. The festivals which highlight the cultural heritage of Thiruvananthapuram are many.
Soorya Dance Festival
Soorya stage and film society is the Asia’s biggest cultural society. The 75 day long Soorya festival held annually in Thiruvananthapuram, is considered to be longest festival of Asia. Soorya is now set to break this record with 101 day long festival in 2008 on its 31st anniversary. Soorya was started in Thiruvananthapuram 31 years ago. Mr. Nataraja Krishna Moorthy better known as Soorya Krishna Moorthy was the founder of Soorya Dance festival. Soorya Krishna Moorthy was born in 1951 at Kottayam. He plunged into his passion, the world of cinema, music and art thus was born Soorya stage and film society.
Soorya is actually an off shoot of Chithralekha, the film society started by Mr. Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Chithralekha was formed to educate people about the value of good cinema and film appreciation. When Adoor Gopalakrishnan had to leave Chithralekha it went dead. It led to the formation of Soorya stage and film society. This society gave importance to music and dance. Soorya is a cultural organization concerned with screening of good films, presenting film directors and holding their retrospectives, holding seminars and discussions on cinema, conducting festivals of classical music and dance, theatre, painting, photography, handicrafts, video light and sound shows. As far as Cinemas was concerned, Soory stage and film society had two aims. One was to ensure womens’s participation. As a result of this, film became the topic of discussion at the dinner table, and even children learned the value of good cinema. The second aim was to educate people about the peals of Indian cinema, names like Mrinal Sen, Satyajith Ray, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Syam Benagal. Mr. K.J. Yesudas was the opening performer of the Soorya festivals every year on October first. He would arrive from abroad at his own expense just to sing for Soorya. Soorya stage and film society conducted classical dance festival for ten days every year at Thiruvananthapuram. Dancers from all over India participate in this festival. Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam have an important place in Soorya festival.
Chembai Music Festival
Chembai Music Festival is held every year in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. This music festival is held in the remembrance of Chembai Vaidyanath Bhagawather who was an ardent follower of Lord Sree Guruvayurappan. It is held in the month of September during the occasion of Ekadasi. This eleven day long festival is adorned with classical performances by eminent artists. Chembai Vaidyanath Bhagawather was an Indian Carnatic music singer from the state of Kerala. He was born to Anantha Bhagavatar and Parvati Ammal in 1895. Chembai was noted for his powerful voice and majestic style of singing. His first public performance was in 1904, when he was nine. Chembai got the Sangeet Natak Academi Award in the year 1958. He was a recipient of several titles and honours in his performing career of 70 years. He dies in the year 1974. Organized by the Sri Chembai Memorial Trust more than 2000 carnatic musicians attend the Chembai music festival at Thiruvananthapuram. It is the best presentation of Indian classical music. Mesmerizing tunes and timeless melodies create a spell of peace and tranquility in the heart of the audience.
Renowned performers are invited to perform at this musical festival. Music lovers from all over the world come to witness this melodious journey. Many young musicians are also given a chance to perform here. It is a golden opportunity for the people of Thiruvananthapuram to meet eminent musicians. The rich cultural heritage of Thiruvananthatpuram is revealed through these cultural festivals. The aim of cultural festivals is to offer the illustration of a particular medium of expression for the enjoyment of those who love, or express themselves in that medium.
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