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Gujarat's historic city of Vadnagar will host the annual Tana-Riri Festival on November 10 and November 11, bringing together celebrated artists in a tribute to the state's rich musical heritage.
According to an official statement, this two-day event, held at the Tana-Riri Samadhi Sthala, will feature classical and folk performances by renowned artists, including Pandit Neeraj & Ami Parikh Group, Maithili Thakur, Osman Mir, Parthiv Gohil, and Shashank Subramaniam. The festival, named after the revered sisters Tana and Riri, has deep roots in Gujarat's musical history. Known for their mastery of the Malhar ragas, Tana and Riri inspired this festival, which began in 2003 as an initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. "In the year 2003, as the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi started Tana-Riri Mohotsav from his hometown Vadnagar. This unique music festival is celebrated every year on Kartak Sud Nom and Dasham day in memory of Sangeet Samrajni Tana-Riri as a joint initiative of Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Akademi, Gandhinagar, and District Administration, Mehsana," stated an official spokesperson. The festival commemorates the sisters who, as legend holds, sacrificed their lives rather than perform at Emperor Akbar's court. As per the statement, "Both the Nagar sisters soothed the burning in their bodies with Deepak Raag sung by Sangeet Samrat Tansen. When Emperor Akbar came to know about this, Akbar ordered Tana and Riri to be presented to the court, but both sisters chose to sacrifice themselves instead of accepting this demand. To pay tribute to the artist sisters of Aaly Veerang, the Tana-Riri Classical Music Festival has been held every year since 2003 at the Tana-Riri Samadhi site, Ghaskor Darwaza, Vadnagar, where legendary singers and artists mesmerize the audience with their melodious music." In addition to the live performances, this year's festival will honour Vidushi Padma Suresh Talwalkar and Dr Pradipta Ganguly with the Tana-Riri Award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 2.50 lakh, a copper plaque, and a shawl. Initiated in 2010 by Modi, the award aims to "felicitate art and artistes," and has been previously conferred upon prominent figures, including Lata and Usha Mangeshkar. Vadnagar, located in the Mehsana district, boasts a legacy of music and arts dating back 550 years, particularly within the Nagar Brahmin community. The Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Mehsana District Administration support the festival, which has gained national prominence and now aims to reach an international stage under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership. This year's Tana-Riri Festival will feature performances by Pandit Neeraj & Ami Parikh Group and Maithili Thakur on November 10, followed by folk artist Osman Mir. On November 11, flautist Shashank Subramaniam and singer Parthiv Gohil will perform, concluding the event. Minister of Tourism Mulubhai Bera and Home Minister Harshbhai Sanghvi are also expected to attend. The Tana-Riri Festival remains a significant event in Gujarat's cultural calendar, celebrating the enduring musical heritage and honouring the legacy of Tana and Riri. (ANI)
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