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Aarattu - the final day's programmes started with the Ooruvalam Ezhunnellippu, the procession to Kaniyakkadu palace. The temple has historical connections with the Kaniyakkadu palace and maintains the relations even now. There is a Kanikkamandapam at Kaniyakkadu and poojas are done there during the procession. The procession passes through Vallichira, where a Samoohappara is arranged, and Oorasala Sri Subramanya Swami Temple. Mannargudi brothers M. S. R. Parameswaran presented a musical evening with their melodious Nadaswaram. The brothers, now one of the popular choice for temple festivals displayed their deep knowledge in Carnatic music through the concert which was well received by the audience too. They began with the popular Keerthana in Raga Hamsadhwani - Vathapi Ganapathim and continued with Nagumo in Abhogi Raga. Kalyani seemed to be the favourite raga for them with a few Kritis rendered in that raga. Abheri Raga was taken in detail with Muthuswami Dikshithar's Krithi 'Bhajare Re Maanasa'. 'Ksheerasagara' in Devagandhari raga was soothing for the ears. The concert ended with a few light music numbers the notable of which was 'Ezharaponnana' the famous song in praise of "Ettumanoorappan". Thirurameswaram T. P. Radhakrishnan and Puthukkotta N. Natarajan accompanied on thavil and they showed out their skills in the Thaniyavarthana very well. |
 Mannargudi Nadaswaram |
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 Kodiyirakku |
Ms. Bhavana Radhakrishnan, professor in Music College, Thiruvananthapuram and famous cinema playback singer, was the choice for this year's Aarattu musical concert. Bhavana gave a concert very much adhering to the classical standards as also selecting few popular Krithis. This stage, which has witnessed the masters of Carnatic music like Mharajapuram Santhanam, T. N. Seshagopalan, O. S. Thyagarajan, K. J. Yesudas, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, T. V. Gopalakrishnan performing , was a good opportunity for Ms Bhavana, who is now an upcoming artiste in the field, to display her talents. She started with the Varanam 'chalamela' in Natakurinji raga and followed with a Ganapathi Stuthi in Hamasadhwani raga - 'Varavallabha', 'Gopalaka Pahimam' in Revagupthi, 'Sadapalaya' in Mohanam and 'Nagumo' in Abhogi kept the audience alive. Panthuvarali raga was taken in detail with the Krithi 'Siva Siva'. Thiruvananthapuram R. Mahadevan on violin, Vypin Satheesh on Mrudangam, Kottayam Unnikrishnan on Khadom and Kottayam Murali on Mukharsanghu accompanied her. She rendered a few light music songs and ended with the song 'Ennodenthinee Pinakkom', the melodious song from the film 'Kaliyattom' sung by Bhavana herself in the film, which has made her famous. The crowd who were all along waiting for this song received it with loud applause. | ||
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Meenadom Babu & party presented a 'Kathaprasangam', the story selected was the story of Karna. The artiste was impressive with his sound nearly matching to the legendary V. Sambasivan who used to perform here for many years till his death. The procession to 'Aarattu kadavu' reached there at about 11:30 pm after the 'thanthri' performed the 'Kodiyirakku' at 8 o'clock. The way for the 'Aarattu' procession was well decorated with 'kurutholas' tube lights and garlands. The 'Deepakazhcha' at 'arattu kadavu' was a great sight to watch. 'Deepams' illuminating the night scene. 'Manchirathus' glowingly floating in the river. The divine 'Aarattu' was performed at about 12:15. The premises of the 'aarattu kadavu' were filled with devotees who also took 'arattubath' with the lord. |
 Aarattu Ezhunnallipu | ||
 Kaalakali |
 Bhavana Radhakrishnan | ||
 Deepakkazhcha |
The 'Aarattu' procession returned from the 'kadavu' at 1 o'clock. The devotees welcomed the lord with 'Karpooradeepams' and 'Aarppu'. It was a divine feeling to watch 'Karpooradeepams' being lit up all the way from the aarattukadavu to the temple. 'Aarattu Ethirelpu' and 'Ezhunnellippu' were attended by a good number of devotees. 'Panchavadyam' and 'Pandimelam' were impressive. 'Nadaswaram' by Mannargudi Brothers, especially the 'magudi', which used to be played in the 'Aarattu Ezhunnellippu' was 'amruthu' for the ears. This years 'Ulsavam' festivities ended with a 'fireworks'. Leaving behind a temple, a land and its people waiting for another year with another festival. | ||
