Shri Kadakampally Surendran, Priyappetta Tourism Manthri,

Dr. Shashi Tharoor MP,

Shri K. Muraleedharan MLA,

Shri V.K. Prasanth, Mayor,

Smt. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Tourism Department,

Shri Bala Kiran IAS, Director, Tourism,

Shri V.K. Madhu, President, District Panchayat,

Shri Palayam Rajan, Municipal Councilor,

Shri Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary, former

           Vice Chancellor, Malayalam University & noted Lyricist,

Shri Mathew Itty, noted Music Director,

Sangeetha Aasvaadakare,

Madhyama Suhruthukkale,

Priyappetta Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

I am very happy to address this gathering of music lovers eagerly waiting to enjoy the Nishagandhi Monsoon Ragotsavam arranged by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

       Last year, to be precise, on January 20, 2017, I had made a request while inaugurating the Nishagandhi Dance Festival. When the Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival was being limited to Dance alone from last year, I had suggested that soon I hoped to see the birth of a separate Nishagandhi Festival of Music.  Within a year, it has become a reality and here I am, inaugurating the first edition of the Nishagandhi Monsoon Ragotsavam at this enchanting venue. The Department of Tourism deserves our wholehearted appreciation for its decision to organize this Festival of Raagas. 

       Before I go any further, let me extend my hearty greetings to all the celebrated artistes who would be performing in this Raagotsavam.  I am certain that the presence of great artists such as Shri Hariharan, Smt. Bombay Jayasri, Ms. Rimpa Siva, Shri B.V. Balasai would sweeten the melody of this Monsoon Ragotsavam.

       Though we in Kerala tend to associate the rainy season with the floods and landslides, there is also a musical and rhythmic side to the Monsoon.  The rhythm of the cool showers, the patter of the heavy rain, the humming of the wind, the roar of the storm and the distant murmur of thunder have inspired our legendary musicians to create raagas.  The harmony of these raagas are believed to clear the clouds of pessimism from human minds. Like the monsoon which brings life to the parched land that had been thirsting for water, these raagas can soothe our minds.   

       The name Nishagandhi Festival has now become popular on a national level both for its regular conduct and for the presence and participation of the finest artistes of our times. I hope that this Raagotsavam would take the fame already achieved by Nishagandhi Festival to higher levels.

       I am informed that one of the aims of organizing this Musical festival is to attract domestic and international travelers to this venue where music from different parts of the world would be performed.  While this is a laudable intention,
I would suggest that editions of similar Festivals should be held in other cities too. But, if more tourists should come, we need proper connectivity, both by air and road. In the best interests of tourism, it is high time we managed better connectivity between the airports in the State.

       I do not wish to elaborate; I would only wish that Nishagandhi Raagotsavam would evolve as the mark of Kerala’s commitment to music, and become a globally attended Musical event of India in the years to come.

       I compliment the Department of Tourism for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Raaga Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind

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