Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan – TVM Leg

About this place

The Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan is one of India's longest-running and most prestigious national classical music festivals, organized annually by Akashvani (All India Radio) to promote and preserve the country's rich traditions of classical music and allied performing arts. Since its inception in the mid-twentieth century, the festival has brought together eminent vocalists, instrumentalists, percussion ensembles, and distinguished artists from across India through a series of concerts hosted in different cities, with selected performances later broadcast nationally by Akashvani, allowing audiences throughout the country to experience high-quality classical music. As part of the 67th Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, hosted one of the festival's regional concerts on 8 November 2025 at Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan, a prominent cultural venue dedicated to literature, music, theatre, and the performing arts. The Thiruvananthapuram programme reflected the festival's long-standing objective of presenting diverse forms of Indian classical music and traditional performance while providing a platform for distinguished artists from different disciplines. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Padma Shri Dr. K. Omanakutty, one of Kerala's celebrated Carnatic musicians and educators, underscoring the city's strong association with India's classical music tradition. The evening programme commenced with Panchavadyam, Kerala's renowned temple percussion ensemble, led by Kudamaloor Muraleedhara Marar and accompanying artists, showcasing the rhythmic sophistication and ceremonial heritage of this traditional percussion art. This was followed by a Carnatic vocal concert by Dr. N. J. Nandini, whose performance highlighted the depth and expressive richness of South Indian classical music through compositions rendered in the traditional concert format. The programme concluded with a light music presentation by Ajith G. Krishnan and S. R. Sreekutty, illustrating the festival's practice of presenting varied musical traditions within a single cultural event. Like other editions of Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan held across India, the Thiruvananthapuram concert was designed not only as a live performance but also as part of Akashvani's broader mission of documenting and disseminating India's classical music heritage through radio broadcasts. Public admission to the Thiruvananthapuram event was offered free of charge, with entry provided through invitation passes distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, enabling music enthusiasts, students, scholars, artists, and the general public to attend without ticketed admission. The selection of Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan as the venue further strengthened the cultural significance of the event, as the institution has long served as an important centre for literary and artistic activities in Kerala's capital. The inclusion of Kerala's traditional percussion alongside Carnatic vocal music and light music reflected the festival's commitment to showcasing the diversity of India's musical heritage while fostering appreciation among audiences of different generations. For musicians, participation in Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan is regarded as a significant professional recognition because the festival has historically featured many of the country's most accomplished classical artists. For audiences, it provides an opportunity to experience nationally recognized performers in an intimate cultural setting while contributing to the continued appreciation of India's classical and traditional music. Through its annual regional concerts and nationwide broadcasts, the Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan continues to play a vital role in preserving India's musical traditions and making them accessible to wider audiences. Since each edition of the festival features different cities, venues, artists, performance schedules, and admission arrangements, the official organizers announce the programme details, participating musicians, and public information separately for every annual Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan.

🚆 Railway: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station / Thiruvananthapuram Pettah Railway Station

✈️ Airport: Trivandrum International Airport

🚌 Bus: Plammoodu Bus Stop / PMG Bus Stop / Thampanoor KSRTC Central Bus Terminal

🏨 Stay: Hotels, serviced apartments, and cultural stays available around Palayam, Statue, Vazhuthacaud, and Thampanoor

✅ Notes: Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan (Thiruvananthapuram leg) is a prestigious All India Radio classical music festival featuring Carnatic and Hindustani vocal and instrumental performances by leading artists from across India. The event follows the traditional concert format and is curated for broadcast by All India Radio, showcasing India's rich classical music heritage.