The annual Kuthiramalika Music Festival featuring classical music - the Swathi Sangeethotsavam as it is called - which is held in the heritage court complex near the famed Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - has come to stay.
Managed privately by members of the princely family whose forefathers once ruled this region of Kerala, this year's fest was held from January 6th to 12th.
Set in the courtyard of a vintage royal residence, the evening concerts are open to all and donations are welcome.
Rama Varma, the key host of this fest who also presented one of the concerts says that the key artiste of this year's fest was "undoubtedly 75 year old Prof.Venkataramanan, a simple and reclusive Guru from Karnataka, who lives quietly in Kerala, who is a grand disciple of Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar."
Varma says that it would be great if this veteran gets noticed by musicians, music lovers and organizers all over the country and abroad, "to make up for lost time."
Here is the link to pictures taken at the fest, contributed by Rama Varma.
Photos of this event
Varma has also posted a few excerpts from some concerts hosted at the 2012 festival on YouTube. Here are the links
An intro by Rama Varma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqtK8UQdKtg
Sri Ramana Vibho - Prof. Venkataramanan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXw6m6KojOQ
Palaya Pankajanabha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itF4rQL_Wko
