Contribution of Swati Tirunal (1813 1847) to Carnatic music needs no explanation or emphasis. Perhaps, his Bhavayami, Paripalayamam, Sarasakha, Visweswara Darushana and thillana in raga Dhnyasri will remain as long as Carnatic music remains. Composed mainly in Sanskrit and Hindi languages, these have been enthralling the audiences for many decades.

Sydney does not fall behind. An organising committee to pay homage to the great composer has been holding this annual feature for nearly five years. It is heartening to note that as many as fifty singers and performers of all ages rendered compositions of Swathi Tirunal. We had flute, synthesiser, violin, mridangam and tabala to assist the singers. Each person was allowed one composition to be sung or performed. As one of the comperes observed the function was to pay homage to the composer and not to exhibit any special skills.

Apart from the familiar compositions there were many rare compositions rendered. Many youngsters took part.

It was impressive to see an audience of almost four hundred watch the programme. The day concluded with another mass rendering, this time of the famous Thillana, Gita Dhwaniku followed by Bhujaga shayino mangalam.

Volunteers provided a tasty Kearala meal at lunch time.

It is admirable that a CD titled 'Crown Jewels of Sri Swati Tirunal' rendered by carnatic musicians of Australia, Uma Ayyar and Prema Anandakrishnan accompanied by the Sydney violinist Balaji Jagannadhan and the young tabla artiste Kishan Jayendran was produced specially for the occasion and was presented as memento to all the participants. The organisers deserve all the praise for keeping this activity alive.

You can write to the author of this article, K. Srinivas at E-mail: ragh@aeromech.usyd.edu.au