Thanjavur: The 170th annual aradhana of saint composer Thyagaraja will be held from January 13 at the saint’s tomb on the banks of River Cauvery at Thiruvaiyaru near here.

Popular Carnatic composer and vocalist Sudha Raghunathan will formally inaugurate the five day aradhana festival on January 13 at 6pm at the saint’s tomb, G Rangasamy Moopanar, President of Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha, told reporters in Thiruvaiyaru today.

Former Union Minister G K Vasan and Collector A Annadurai would also grace the occasion. On January 17, the pancharatna kritis (five jewels) of Thyagaraja will be sung in chorus by hundreds of musicians at the saint’s tomb to pay homage to the saint composer, G R Moopanar said.

The ceremonial pandalkaal muhurtham was held at the Sri Thyagabrahmam sannathi in Thiruvaiyaru today. Special poojas were also performed on the occasion.

Among others, Sabha Treasurer R Ganesh, Secretaries ‘Haridwaramangalam’ A K Palanivel, Srimushnam V Rajarao, Assistant Secretaries M Ramkumar, T R Govindarajan and Trustees S Ganesan, M R Panchanatham and N K Murthy were present.