Vocalist sings rare Thyagaraja numbers for 12 hours non-stop

Mumbai, April 11 (PTI): A Vijaywada-based vocalist rendered `apoorva' ragas continuously for 12 hours here to popularise the rare compositions of Thyagaraja, the father of Carnatic music.

Girija Seshamamba, the 31-year old singer sang 100 songs during the 12 hours, which included 60 of the 81 rare ragas composed by Thyagaraja, at the Shringeri Sharada Peeth's temple at Chembur on Sunday.

She sang from 9 am to 9.20 pm continuosly, stopping in between only to sip a drink. She was accompanied by four sets of artistes who assited her on violin, mridangam and ghatam.

The event was organised by K S Krishnamurthy of Telugu Kala Samiti and Chairman of Board of Trustees, Andhra Mahasabha.

Several musical gurus, including 85-year old Sri Vidyanath Bhagavahar, G S Balasubramanian, Head of Nadalola, Anantharama and Asthana Bhagavathars, were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Limca Book of Records had decided to include Girija's feat in their 2007 edition, Limca sources said.

Girija, who has done her PhD on the rare (Apoorva) ragas said that there were 81 such ragas and "I chose 60 ragas for the marathon".

Girija began learning carnatic vocal and violin at the age of four and gave her first performance at the age of 10.

Courtesy: The Hindu