Top performers on stage at city music fest

THE Swami Thyagaraja Music Festival has been one of the most talked-about events on the SA Indian calendar for more than three decades.

The music extravaganza, hosted by the Indian Academy of SA as part of its annual heritage series, will be staged at Durban City Hall today.

Renowned artists from abroad and their teams will perform classical, semi-classical and devotional music and dance that will leave audiences breathless.

Principal artist Vaidyanathan Ombathvali Subramamam “OS” Arun said he was overcome by the support and hospitality received in Joburg last week.

“The audience was amazing. I didn’t expect a sell-out, which was heart-warming. This is my first trip here and so far it has been one of the best experiences of my career,” said Arun.

Asked why he took so long to visit, Arun said he was already tied up elsewhere when he was asked to perform in the country.

“Scheduling was a problem. I wish I had come sooner. Maybe then I would have been able to meet cultural ambassador TP Naidoo,” he said.

He said today’s performance would pay tribute to Naidoo, who had helped maintain a rich Indian heritage in SA.

Arun, from a family where music is a way of life, said he loved interacting with fans as it made him enjoy his work so much more.

“I feel blessed for all the success I’ve had in 26 years. My fans are key to my achievements and I feel fulfilled when they are happy and ask for more,” he said.

Additional reporting by Veruschka Mungroo.

alyssia.birjalal@inl.co.za