Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha Awards Senior Nadaswaram and Thavil Artists at Inaugural Nadaswaram Festival

The Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha inaugurated its 2026 Nadaswaram Festival on Thursday, 18 June, at the Sri P. Obul Reddy Hall in Vani Mahal, T. Nagar. The event marked the first presentation of the Vani Vadhya Kala Nipuna and Vani Laya Kala Nipuna titles, awards that recognize lifetime achievement in the performance of the nadaswaram and thavil, respectively.

The Vani Vadhya Kala Nipuna was conferred on two senior nadaswaram vidwans: ‘Chinnamanur’ A. Vijay Karthikeyan and ‘Idumbavanam’ V. Prakash Ilaiyaraja. The Vani Laya Kala Nipuna was awarded to thavil vidwan ‘Bengaluru’ P.M. Ranjith Vinayak. Each recipient received a cash reward and a certificate. The awards were established by V. Ramaswamy, managing director of Bhaggyam Constructions, in memory of his mother V. Janaki.

The festival, organised in partnership with Bhaggyam Constructions, will run through 20 June. The opening ceremony was presided over by B. Sairam, principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, who delivered the presidential address. Tamil literary scholar S. Raghuraman gave a felicitation address, after which the awardees delivered acceptance speeches. The day’s program also featured a recital by Vijay Karthikeyan and Prakash Ilaiyaraja.

Over the weekend, the festival will host performances by noted artistes including Nagaswara Kalanidhi ‘Thirumeignanam’ T.P.N. Ramanathan and Kalaimamani ‘Semponnarkoil’ S.R.G.S. Mohandas. From 21 to 23 June, a Tamil Isai Concert series will be staged, showcasing vocal performances by ‘Vani Kala Nipuna’ R. Ganesh, Mahanyasree, and R. Kashyap Mahesh, accompanied by seasoned instrumentalists.

The Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, also known as Vani Mahal, has a long history of hosting classical concerts, dramas, and dance performances. The Sri P. Obul Reddy Hall, a 242‑seat venue within the complex, has been a venue for many significant music events, including the Madras Music Season.

The Nadaswaram Festival’s focus on senior musicians underscores the Sabha’s commitment to preserving traditional South Indian music. The nadaswaram, a double‑reed wind instrument, and the thavil, a barrel‑shaped percussion instrument, are central to temple and wedding ceremonies in Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions.

The festival’s schedule, announced by the Sabha, includes daily recitals, a series of concerts, and a closing segment featuring vocalists. The event is part of a broader effort by the Sabha to promote classical music during the summer months, complementing other festivals such as the Tamil Isai Concert series.

The awards and the festival’s programming reflect the Sabha’s role as a cultural hub in Chennai. By honouring veteran performers and presenting new concerts, the organisation continues to support the transmission of classical music traditions to new audiences.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Vani Vadhya Kala Nipuna and Vani Laya Kala Nipuna titles, and the festival will continue to feature performances until 20 June, followed by the Tamil Isai Concert series.