GURUVAYUR: The Chembai Sangeetholsavam heralding the Guruvayur Ekadasi was inaugurated at the Melpathur Auditorium here on Friday by Devaswom Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran.
The Devaswom Minister presented the coveted Sree Guruvayurappan Chembai Puraskaram comprising Rs 50,001, a 10gm gold locket of Guruvayurappan, citation and a ponnada to veteran Carnatic vocalist Parassala Ponnammal.
Guruvayur Municipal chairperson Geetha Gopi delivered the keynote address. Carnatic musician Mannoor Rajakumaran Unni delivered the Chembai memorial speech. Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee chairman Thottathil Raveendran presided over the function.
Temple thanthri Chennas Vasudevan Namboodiripad, Devaswom members Mallissery Parameswaran Namboothiripad, A V Chandran, K V Babu, Devaswom administrator V Ratheesan, Carnatic vocalist Pala C K Ramachandran and Parasala Ponnammal addressed the gathering.
Ponnammal staged a concert at the function. The traditional inauguration of the Sangeetholsavam will be performed on Saturday morning by temple thanthri Chennas Vasudevan Namboodiripad.
Non-Hindus are not allowed and the participants have to strictly follow the temple dress code at the Sangeetha Mandapam.
More than 3,000 musicians will sing at the inaugural ceremony nearly 30 special concerts will be staged in this connection.
Mandolin maestro Padmasree U Srinivas accompanied by Kuzhalmannam Ramakrishnan (mridangam), V B Srinivasa Rao(violin), Tripunithura Radhakrishna (ghatom), will perform on Saturday evening.