This year being the birth centenary year of dance guru Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiah Pillai, the hosts have listed a few special dance recitals.

This fest has stayed with Carnatic music for many years but in recent times, also hosted dance recitals. Featured among others is dance-guru Rhadha.

Chennai-based senior artistes Suguna Varadachari and Suguna Purushothaman will star at the big concert on the opening evening, April 21.

On April 22 is the inauguration of the dance tribute concerts to celebrate Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiah Pillai.

A unique project of this organisation has been the focus on the Ramayana and to get youth involved.

The Aradhana Committee launched this initiative for the 2011 Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival. It got young people in the age group of 10 through 25 to take the Indian epic Ramayana and tell the story in their own words and interpretations, with characterization of the central figures that makes it relevant to the current environment.

This was given to leading musicians to convert them into lyrics and set them to music, and well known natyacharyas were asked to choreograph them.

The final programme is to be presented at the 2011 festival as dance-dramas and these are being presented on various evenings.

Senior, well known and young musicians are featured in the concerts. The legendary Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna is presenting one concert.

There are a few innovative events too like one recital in which Sudha Raghunathan presents the film songs rendered by her guru MLV.

There is an award ceremony and some workshops too. N. Murali, MD, The Hindu and President of The Music Academy, Madras is the chief guest at this year's event.

All the info is available at www.aradhana.org.
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