Location Accessibility Contact

Panchayat/ Municipality/ Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Corporation

LOCATION District Thiruvananthapuram

Nearest Town/ Sreevaraham Temple Pond – 450 m Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio East Fort Bus Stop – 1.1 Km

Nearest Railway Trivandrum Central Railway Station – 1.9 Km statio ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Trivandrum International Airport – 4.2 Km

Sri Chembai Memorial Trust Chembai Road, Ayodhya Nagar Sreevaraham Thiruvananthapuram – 695009 CONTACT Phone: +91-471-2472705 DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME August-September(to be advised) Annual 5 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar Music Festival is held in commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late music maestro Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. He was an exceptionally talented Carnatic musician from Chembai in Palakkad. The festival is organised by the Sri Chembai Memorial trust in Thiruvananthapuram. Chembai was born on 1 September, 1896 to a family of Carnatic musicians. He lived in a period which was considered the golden era of Carnatic music. Chembai's powerful yet melodious voice could enthrall audience of his times. An ardent devotee of Sree Krishna he attributed all his success to Guruvayoorappan. He was the recipient of numerous honours and recognitions. Gaana Gandharva (1940), Sangita Kalanidhi title (1951), Sangeeta Natak Akademi award (1958), Padmabhushan from President of India (1973), Sangita Samrat title conferred on him by Swami Sivananda etc. were some of the prestigious honors.

National Over 1500 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

The Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar Music Festival is an annual concert organized in memory of the great Carnatic musician Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. It is a 5-day Carnatic Vocal and event conducted at the Chembai Memorial Hall in Instrumental Concerts Thiruvananthapuram during August-September. The festival Presentation of the is marked by magical renditions of eminent Carnatic Chembai Puraskaram vocalists. It also stages the presentation of the prestigious Chembai Puraskaram instituted by the Government of Kerala to musicians of exceptional caliber.