andhya Anand
Carnatic Vocalist & Violinist
2025 Individual Artist Fellow - NJ State Council on the Arts
|| Srih ||
From the Editor’s Desk
Symphony in the Snow
On a day when a quiet, white blanket of snow draped the landscape of New Jersey, the air inside the venue of Samskrtasangitam School of Music was vibrant with the timeless melodies of Saint Thyagaraja. While the Garden State braved the winter chill, the Thyagaraja Aradhana festival brought the spiritual warmth of Thiruvaiyaru to the local community, proving that devotion knows no weather.
The Sanctity of the Occasion
The event honored Saint Thyagaraja, the legendary 18th-century composer whose work remains the bedrock of Carnatic music. Traditionally held on Pushya Bahula Panchami—in India, the day the saint attained Samadhi the Aradhana is a collective expression of gratitude (Bhakti) through songs. Despite the biting cold outside, on 18th
Jan 2026, students and teacher gathered with a singular focus: to keep the flame of Indian classical heritage burning bright in the diaspora.
A Community United in Melody
The celebration featured several hallmark segments:
The Pancharatna Kritis: The heart of the event was the group rendition of the Five Gems.
Seeing students of all ages sit in unison to sing Jagadanandakaraka or Endaro Mahanubhavulu created a
powerful atmosphere of collective meditation.
Individual Tributes
Young disciples of Samskrtasangitam School of Music showcased their research on various topics ranging from
Life of Sri Thyagaraja, miracles in his life and how Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana is celebrated across the world. These performances underscored the school's commitment to understand and value the composer in addition to learning their compositions. A tremendous hand for our young researchers “Avni, Saradha, Dhruva, Dhriti, Tavisha, Nishita, Isha and Indu” for bringing such depth to our Aradhana.
Group Performances:
Tuesday Shadja batch - The students managed to defy the winter chill, effectively transporting the audience
to the banks of the Kaveri through their immersive portrayal of Saint Thyagaraja’s life.
Monday Rhythm rocketeers brought a modern flair to the Aradhana by curating an interactive
KBC-style quiz, challenging the audiences' knowledge on the life and legacy of the Saint.
A resounding ovation for this incredible collaboration! The live synergy between the dancer and our
young musicians truly made the Kriti come alive. A massive round of applause to Sivathmika, Dhruv, Saket
and Bhuvaneshwari from Wednesday group. They performed a beautiful composition by Sri M.D Ramanathan
on Sri Thyagaraja Swami.
Thursday batch - The students successfully recreated the vibrant buzz of a December Season canteen,
proving that the spirit of the Sabha can thrive even in the heart of a New Jersey winter by beautifully describing
how Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana originated and sang few lines of the Pancharatna Krithis.
Tackling the 72 Melakarta Ragas system—the complex mathematical heart of Carnatic music is massive
feat for any student. The fact that the Wednesday Violin Batch executed this while linking each scale to a
specific Thyagaraja composition is truly impressive.
The "BINGO" of Bhakti - The Tuesday Batch brought a wave of infectious energy to the hall with a
cleverly designed Thyagaraja Bingo Game.
The Grand Musical Tribute
The spiritual peak of the day was the special ensemble performance led by Guru Smt. Sandhya Anand accompanied
by distinguished guest singers Smt. Bhavani Prakash and Smt. Rajeshwari Satish. They truly breathed life
into three exquisite compositions of Sri Thyagaraja.
The Contrast of Elements: The visual of the falling snow through the windows contrasted beautifully
with the traditional Indian attire—vibrant silks painted with blue and green and the rhythmic sounds of
the Flute (Srinivas) and violin (by young kids).
A Community Effort
A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers and parents whose culinary artistry ensured that we left not just with
melodies in our heads, but with hearts (and stomachs) completely full.
Conclusion: A Cultural Anchor
The Samskrtasangitam School of Music transformed a snowy New Jersey day into a sacred pilgrimage of sound.
By conducting this Aradhana, the school provides more than just music lessons; it offers a cultural anchor for the
next generation, ensuring that the legacy of Saint Thyagaraja continues to resonate, even thousands of miles from
the banks of the Cauvery. We are profoundly grateful to our wonderful Guru Smt. Sandhya Anand for
her tireless dedication and for providing us a platform where tradition meets innovation. She transformed a
simple music lesson into a cultural pilgrimage.
As we step into the New Year, our music school observed the annual Thyagaraja Aradhana on January 18th 2026 with deep reverence and devotion. The celebrations brought us all together in a collective offering of Saint Thyagaraja’s timeless compositions in a spirit of bhakti and musical dedication, honoring the immortal legacy of Saint Thyagaraja. Students paid homage to the saint-composer’s enduring contribution to Carnatic music through group performances and individual presentations.
I am delighted to present the following blog written by one of our school family member, Pavithra Babu. Pavithra offers a thoughtful account of the performances and the enduring relevance of Saint Thyagaraja’s compositions, reflecting the cultural richness of the event. Enjoy Reading!!
Sandhya Anand
Director of Samskrtasangitam School of Music
Namaste, I am delighted to announce the
Nadanubhuti Series, an exclusive initiative designed
to give our students a meaningful and enriching platform to showcase their singing and instrumental talents while bringing our school community together through the joy of music. This series offers students
the invaluable opportunity to learn through expert
led workshops, experience the essence of a live presentation, and listen to music performed by their peers—helping them develop deeper musical understanding, keen observation, and a growing passion for learning. Please mark your calendars for the first Nadanubhuti Series event which will be held on Saturday, February 28th, from 6:00–8:00 pm. The series will continue at the end of every month thereafter.
