Gandhinagar:  The historical city of Vadnagar, located in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage in music and arts. Known for its vibrant traditions of singing, instrumental music, and dance, Vadnagar’s musical legacy, initiated by the Nagar Brahmins 550 years ago, continues to thrive. This tradition has gained international recognition through the Tana-Riri Festival, a cultural celebration credited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2003, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi inaugurated this festival in his hometown- Vadnagar. Organized annually by the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Academy, Gandhinagar, in collaboration with the Mehsana District Administration, the Tana-Riri Festival commemorates the legendary singers Tana and Riri, held on Kartak Sud Nom and Dasham. This year, the festival will be held on November 10 and 11 at the Tana-Riri Memorial Site, where the audience can enjoy mesmerizing performances by renowned artists such as Pandit Neeraj and Ami Parikh Group, Maithili Thakur, Osman Mir, Parthiv Gohil, and Shashank Subramanyam.

The Tana-Riri Festival: A Commitment to Preserving the Heritage of Art, Music, and Culture

The legendary sisters Tana and Riri hold a special place in Gujarat’s musical history, revered for their extraordinary talent. In classical music, the phrase “Nomtom Tanariri” is often recited before a ‘raag aalap’ (singing a melodic tune). Granddaughters of the revered poet-saint Narsinh Mehta, Tana and Riri were masters of the Malhar Raag. When the famed musician Tansen suffered from intense burning after singing the fiery Deepak raag, it was Tana and Riri’s Malhar raag that soothed his pain. Upon learning of their remarkable skill, Emperor Akbar invited them to his court, but the sisters chose self-sacrifice over compliance with his request.

In their honour, the Tana-Riri Classical Music Festival has been held annually at their memorial near the Ghasakor Gate in Vadnagar since 2003. Inaugurated by then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the festival showcases performances by renowned musicians and artists, captivating audiences with their enchanting melodies.

Tana-Riri Award Recipients Receive a Cash Prize of ₹2.50 Lakh

Modi, the then-Chief Minister of Gujarat, introduced the ‘Tana-Riri Sangeet Samman Award’ in 2010 to honour and celebrate art and artists. In its first year, this prestigious national award was presented to the legendary musical sisters Lata and Usha Mangeshkar. At this year’s Tana-Riri Award Ceremony, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will present the Tana-Riri Sangeet Samman Award to distinguished female artists Vidushi Padma Suresh Talwalkar and Dr. Smt. Pradeepta Ganguly.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be joined by Tourism, Cultural Activities, Forest and Environment, and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera, along with Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, at the Tana-Riri Festival. The award-winning female classical music artists will receive a cash prize of ₹2.50 lakh, a copper plaque, and a shawl as part of this honour.

Renowned Artists to Mesmerise Audiences with Their Performances at This Year’s Tana-Riri Festival

The Tana-Riri Festival, initiated by Narendra Modi, continues to attract renowned artists from across the country to the historic city of Vadnagar, showcasing exceptional musical talent. This year, the festival will be held on November 10 and 11, 2024, featuring prominent singing and instrumental performances. On Sunday, November 10, Neeraj and Ami Parikh Group, along with Maithili Thakur, will present classical singing performances. Celebrated folk singer Osman Mir will also mesmerize the audience with his songs. On Monday, November 11, Shashank Subramanyam will perform on the flute, and Parthiv Gohil and his group will deliver captivating musical renditions, ensuring a memorable celebration.