The 11th edition of the Hyderabad Tyagaraja Aradhana Music Festival (HTAMF) continued its vibrant celebration of Carnatic music's rich heritage on Day 6, honoring the legendary saint-composer Saint Tyagaraja(1767–1847). Organized by the Samskriti Foundation, the week-long event—running from January 19 to 25, 2026, at venues including the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) in Madhapur and Sampradhaya Vedika—draws hundreds of artists and enthusiasts. It stands as one of the largest commemorations of Tyagaraja outside his birthplace in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, blending devotion, pedagogy, and performance to keep his musical legacy alive in Hyderabad's cultural landscape.

Saint Tyagaraja, born Kakarla Tyagabrahmam, remains one of the Trinity of Carnatic music alongside Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. A prolific Telugu poet and composer devoted to Lord Rama, he authored over 700 kritis (compositions), many in praise of Rama, showcasing intricate ragas, profound bhakti (devotion), and innovative musical structures. His works popularized ragas like Kalyani, Todi, and Shankarabharanam, while his famous Pancharatna Kritis—five gems in ragas Adi Tala—have become staples of Carnatic repertoire, performed globally during Aradhana festivals.

Day 6, falling mid-festival on January 24highlighted both emerging talent and seasoned vidwans (masters), embodying Tyagaraja's emphasis on guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition).

The morning session featured enthusiastic group performances by students from various gurus across Hyderabad's twin cities. Young artists presented in vocal, violin, and Kuchipudi dance, offering a platform for the next generation to engage with Tyagaraja's compositions. These sessions underscore the festival's educational mission, fostering skill development and cultural continuity among students.

The evening concerts, held at the CCRT amphitheater starting around 5:30 PM, captivated audiences with a diverse lineup rooted in tradition.

The program opened with a graceful vocal concert by talented students from the festival's Gurukulam initiative. Accompanied by Kumari Aditi Vasudevan on violin and Chi. M. Vedanth Desikan on mridangam, the young performers rendered Tyagaraja kritis with poise, demonstrating years of rigorous training under mentors.

Next came a delightful vocal concert by Vidwan Kyvalya Kumar Chilla, supported by Vidwan Peravali Nandakumar on violin, Chi. Karthikeya Adinarayana Sarma on mridangam, and Vidwan M. Chandrakanth on ghatam. The ensemble explored intricate ragas and swara patterns typical of Tyagaraja's style, earning appreciation for its emotional depth and technical precision.

Adding instrumental variety, Vidwan Manda Ananthakrishna delivered an enchanting flute concert, with the same accompanying artists—Nandakumar on violin, Karthikeya on mridangam, and Chandrakanth on ghatam. The flute's mellifluous tones brought out the lyrical beauty of Tyagaraja's melodies, evoking the composer's devotional fervor.

The grand finale was a soul-stirring Harikatha Ganam (musical storytelling) by Vidwan Dr. M. V. Simhachala Sastry, accompanied by Vidwan L. Jayaram on violin and Chi. M. Chandrakanth on mridangam. Harikatha, a narrative art form blending music, discourse, and drama, often draws from epics and saints' lives—making it a fitting tribute to Tyagaraja's Rama-centric devotion. Sastry's rendition, rich in bhava (emotion) and sahitya (lyrics), left the audience immersed in spiritual reflection.

The festival has featured prominent artists across its days, with live streams available on htamf.org for global viewers. Previous editions have honored gurus through Sanmanam (felicitation) ceremonies and emphasized interactive elements like group singing.

The 11th HTAMF will conclude on Day 7, January 25, 2026, with the much-anticipated Pancharatna Seva. Hundreds of artists—vocalists, instrumentalists, and choruses—are expected to join in a mass rendering of Tyagaraja's five Pancharatna Kritis: Jagadoddharana (Nata raga), Dudukugala (Goula raga), Sadhinchane(Arabhi raga), Kana Kana Ruchire (Varali raga), and Endaro Mahanubhavulu (Sri raga). This collective seva, a hallmark of Tyagaraja Aradhanas worldwide, symbolizes unity in devotion and celebrates the enduring universality of his music.

As Hyderabad's cultural vibrancy shines through this festival, HTAMF 2026 reaffirms Tyagaraja's timeless message: music as a path to divine connection. With its blend of youth participation, master performances, and communal worship, the event ensures the saint's heritage resonates for generations.