Chembai Music Festival

Venue: Trivandrum, Kerala
Time: September
Duration: Eleven days
Highlights: Performances by world-renowned artists

Chembai Music Festival is organized in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, on an annual basis. It is held in the month of September, during the occasion of Ekadasi. The festival lasts for a period of eleven days and is celebrated in the memory of Chembai Vaidyanath Bhagawathar, a passionate devotee of Lord Sree Guruvayurappan. Eminent artists from all over the country take part in the Chembai Music Festival and adorn the festivities with their amazing performances.

Sri Chembai Memorial trust organizes the eleven days long festival at Thiruvananthpuram city of India. More than 2000 Carnatic musicians attend this festival and for five nights, the city echoes with the enthralling performances in Indian classical music. Old as well as new melodies combine to create an atmosphere to serenity and composure. One of the major attractions of the Chembai Music Festival comprise of the songs of saint Thyagaraja's 'Pancharatna Krithis', sung on the tenth day of the festival.

The festival comes to an end with a group concert on the eleventh day. On this day, one can hear the five most favorite songs of Chembai, namely 'Vadapiganapatim' on raag Hamsadhwani, Mamava sadaajanani on raag Kanada, 'Rakshmamsaranagatam' on raag Natta, Karuna Cheivan entu thamasam Krishna on raag Yadukula kamboji, and Paavanaguru pavanapuradeeswara on raag Hamsanandi. Along with the established artists, young aspiring musicians also perform at the Chembai Music Festival.

How to Reach

By Air: Trivandrum airport has direct flights to all the key cities in India.
By Rail: Trivandrum railway station is well linked with the other parts of the country.
By Road: A good network of road connects Thiruvananthapuram with the other cities in Kerala.