Thyagaraja Music Festival

Time: January every year
Venue: Thiruvaiyaru in Tamilnadu
Duration: 8 days
Highlight: It is celebrated in the memory of the great saint Tyagraja

Thyagaraja music festival, as the name suggests, is celebrated in the memory of the great saint cum musician Tyagraja. It is held on an annual basis in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamilnadu, where Tyagraja spent his whole lifetime and also attained Samadhi. The festivity is an eight day long musical show, which is graced by the leading Carnatic singers and musicians from all parts of the country. Thyagaraja musical festival is usually hosted in the month of January.

The main attraction of the Thyagaraja music festival is the group performance by the prominent musicians of the Pancharathna Krithis. To honor the works and pay homage to the great saint Tyagraja, what can be a better idea than the performance of Pancharathna Krithis, his five compositions that came to be popularly known as the five gems. Thyagraja is admired for his five gems even today. He is and will remain the role model for all those associated with Carnatic music.

How to get there

By Air: The nearest airport to reach Thiruvaiyaru is at Tiruchirapalli, which is located at a distance of about 71 kms. Regular flights are operated from this airport. Thus, the place is well connected to the major cities of the country by air.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is situated at Thanjavur, which is very well linked to the important cities such as Trichy, Madurai, Nagore etc.

By Road: There is a direct bus service from Thanjavur, which lies at a distance of 13kms from Thiruvaiyaru.

Tansen Music Festival

Time: November-December every year
Duration: Five nights
Venue: Tansen memorial at Gwalior
Highlight: Musicians and singers gather from all over the country and regale the audience with their awe inspiring musical performances

Miyan Tansen is one of the most notable musicians of North India, who have been able to establish a niche for themselves in the field of Indian music. Tansen was one of the nine jewels at the court of Akbar, the great Emperor of the Mughal era. His soul lies in Gwalior, where he was buried. Built in the ancient Mughal architectural style, the memorial of the famous personality Tansen has an unbeatable charm.

In the memory of Mian Tansen and as a mark of respect and appreciation to his great contribution to the Indian music, a festival is celebrated every year. The festivity is popularly known as the Tansen music festival. The tomb of Tansen in Gwalior serves as the venue for hosting this festival. Singers and musicians from all over the country congregate here to participate in this grand extravaganza. It is usually conducted during the period between November and December.

Musicians and singers assemble at the Tansen memorial and delight the audience with their musical performances that are truly attention-grabbing. Tansen sangeet sammelan is a festivity of five long mesmerizing nights, which takes you back to the times of the well admired classical ragas. Gwalior is known for its strong tradition of music. It is one of the initial places that witnessed the development of Hindustani Classical music.

How to get there

By Air: Gwalior has its own airport, where regular flights are operated. The place is well connected to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bhopal by air.

By Rail & RoadThere is a wide network of roads, so reaching Gwalior to attend the festival is not at all difficult. Gwalior is easily accessible from almost all the major cities within the country. The nearest railway station is at Gwalior.

Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav

Time: December
Duration: 3 days
Location: Pune
Highlights: Masters as well as practicing artists gather to showcase their talent.

Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav
Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav is a famous music festival which is celebrated every year in Pune, Maharashtra. The festival was originated in 1953 to observe the first death-anniversary of Sawai Gandharva. Disciples of Sawai Gandharva organized a music festival in his remembrance with the patronage of Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal. The festival is observed annually in the month of December in the initial two weeks for 3 days.

This festival is really admired and appreciated by artists. Performers from all over India participate in this music festival to present their musical faculty. To come on the stage of Sawai Gandharva Festival implies "advent" of an artist in the Indian classical music vista.

Sawai Gandharva Music Festival is the most promising place for the primary vocalists of other Gharanas. It has also become the favorite destination of instrumentalists as well as dancers. Artists, who have already attained masters in their subject come here to showcase their talent too.

The festival, where top musicians gather, continues for around three days. It is concluded with a grand performance by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a disciple of Pandit Rambhan Kundgolkar (popularly known as Sawai Gandharva). From the past 53 years, the death anniversary of Sawai Gandharva is celebrated without any clause. The festival attracts a major gathering of various eminent artists around the country.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to this place is situated near Lohagaon at a distance of 12kms from Pune. The airport is connected to the major cities of India. From the airport, one can easily take taxis to reach the venue.
Rail: Pune is well-connected with all the towns & cities of India. From Railway Station, one can take buses or hire taxis in order to reach the venue.
Road: Pune has a brilliant network of roads, connecting the city with the all the major cities within Maharashtra and other states.

Saptak Music Festival

Venue: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Time: First week of January
Highlight: Instrumental and dance groups, Tala Vadya Kacheri, Rajasthani and Punjabi folk music
Duration: 11 Days
How to Reach: Ahmedabad can be reached via flights from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, etc. as it has its own domestic and international airport. It is also connected by an extensive railway line to major cities nearby. A wide network of roads makes it possible to reach Saptak Music Festival with ease.

The Saptak music festival is held every year in the first week of January. It is conducted for a period of 11 days in Ahmedabad located in the state of Gujarat in India. A public charitable trust, which runs the Saptak School of Music, organizes this festival. The Saptak Festival of Music was started in the year 1980 by the famous Sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar. Read on to know more about Saptak Music Festival held in Ahmedabad.

The festival is held for a period of 11 days and many music lovers and musicians come here to participate every year. The festival gives opportunity to budding singers, instrumentalists, musicians, etc. to portray their talents on stage. The highlights of the Saptak Music Festival are the various instrumental groups and dance groups, Tala Vadya Kacheri (percussion of 3-4 musical instruments like Tabla, Ghatam, etc.).

Saptak Music Festival is also a platform for Rajasthani and Punjabi folk music. It has also started a campaign to promote the popular forms of vocal classical music like Thumri, Dhrupad, etc. and traditional musical instruments like Sarangi, Pakhawaj, etc. The Saptak Festival of Music invites talented musicians of older generations to come and give performance to keep alive the traditional forms of music. The festival also provides a platform for young talented musicians to perform on a broader stage.

ITC Sangeet Sammelan

Venue: Different parts of India
Highlights: Showcases best talents of classical music in India
Duration: Varied

One of the most popular music festivals of India is the ITC Sangeet Sammelan. It is organized every year by the corporate giant ITC. It was started in the year 1971 in Delhi. With time it has become one of the most prestigious events of classical music and also one of the most important cultural events of the country. The I.T.C music festival is a cultural event that is appreciated by all music lovers across the country. It is held all over India once a year.

The music festival showcases some of the best talents of Indian classical music. Many renowned singers and musicians come here to participate in various events that are organized. Usually, a significant cash award is given to the eldest performer or musician during the festival as an honorable gesture. It is regarded as one of the most famous cultural events of India.

Dover Lane Music Festival

Venue: Nazrul Mancha Auditorium in South Avenue, Kolkata
Time: December - January
Duration: Six days
Highlights: Performances by maestros in the field of music

Dover Lane Music Festival is organized in the capital city of Kolkata, between the months of December and January. It is being held on an annual basis since the past 50 or more years and stretches on for six days. One of the most popular as well as significant cultural festivals of Kolkata, Dover Lane Music Festival is graced by maestros in the field of music every year. One can find almost all the eminent musicians and singers performing at this festival and mesmerizing the audience.

The exact venue of the festival is the Nazrul Mancha Auditorium in the South Avenue of Kolkata. People from all over the country come to Kolkata to attend Dover Lane Music Festival. The festival initially started as a modest get together of a few music lovers, in the by lanes of Kolkata. However, with time, the gathering expanded and today, the humble festival has become the pride of the people of Kolkata, who regard it as a heritage event.

One of the main reasons behind the initiation of the Dover Lane Music Festival was to create interest of the younger generations towards various art forms. With time, the festival has assumed the task of promoting various arts and providing all the necessary support to the upcoming artists. It now serves as a platform for the young artists, where they can display their talent in front of a large audience and earn appreciation.

How to Reach

By Air: The city of Kolkata has its own airport, with regular flights to all the major cities in India.

By Rail:Kolkata has two railway stations, Howrah and Sealdah.

By Road: A good network of national highways links Kolkata with the neighboring cities.

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.