T.M. Krishna leading a Carnatic music concert at Chembai village, Kottayi, near Palakkad on Sunday evening.
The golden jubilee celebrations of Chembai Music Festival began at Kottayi near here on Sunday. Inaugurating the celebrations, Minister for Devaswam V.N. Vasavan said that Chembai’s musical legacy would endure as long as time and history last.
The Minister said that Chembai’s music not only reflected his artistry but also played a significant role in moulding Kerala’s cultural identity as he promoted social harmony and progress through his art.
According to Mr. Vasavan, Chembai’s legacy lives on through the students he mentored and the humanistic values his music upholds, continuing to inspire future generations.
He released the golden jubilee logo at the function. Golden jubilee postal stamp, cover and a book on Chembai’s life and music were also released at the function.
Guruvayur Devaswam Board chairman V.K. Vijayan presided over the function. Poet Alankode Leelakrishnan delivered the Chembai memorial speech.
P.P. Sumod, MLA, Devaswam administrator O.B. Arun Kumar, Chembai Suresh, Palghat Fine Arts Society secretary P.N. Subbaraman, Devaswam governing body members Manoj, Mallisseri Parameswaran Namboothiripad, P.C. Dinesan Namboothiripad, organising committee chairman Keezhathur Murukan, Chembai’s disciple Gayatri Thampan, art promoters Sainudhin Pathiripala, Kuzhalmannam Ramakrishnan, T.R. Ajayan and Sadanam Harikumar took part in the function.
A musical concert by T.M. Krishna followed the inaugural.
Apart from the Chembai village at Kottayi in Palakkad, the golden jubilee is being celebrated at Tali Temple, Kozhikode; Sangeet Nataka Academy, Thrissur; Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom; Sreevaraham Chembai Memorial Hall, Thiruvananthapuram; and at Guruvayur.
Published – August 19, 2025 12:25 am IST
