Tana Riri Utsav 2009 in Vadnagar on 27-28th October,2009

Annual Tana-Riri festival will be held on 27th and 28th of this month according to sources in Tourism department.

The Tana-Riri festival was initiated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who belongs to Vadnagar town in North Gujarat where the festival is held every year in October.

Every year, the Youth and Cultural department of Gujarat invites classical vocal singers to arrange their performance at Tana Riri festival. But over the time it was felt that the local people do not enjoy high-grade classical vocal performances. Therefore, this year the department has invited 111 Tabla players to present Tabla symphony along with the routine classical music program.

Gujarat Tourism is going to offer Rs. 425 one-day package in connection with Tana Riri festival for the first time. A one-day package from Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar includes visit to Modhera Surya Mandir, Patan Ranki Vav, visit to Patola weaving centre, lunch, heritage walk and evening time at the event.

Who were Tana and Riri

Tana Riri festival honors the story of Tana and Riri, two singers from Vadnagar who were Naagar sisters. It is said that the famous court musician of Emperor Akbar, Tansen, sang Deepak Raag so fervently that the unlit lamps were lit and he was affected with a burning fever. Knowing that only hearing the pure rendering of the Megh Malhar Raag, he headed for Vadnagar where Tana and Riri sang for him and brought him back to health. Inspired by this quality of singing, Akbar summoned them to his court but owing to the norms of the community and society, these two sisters immolated themselves at Vadnagar. A samadhi is created in Vadnagar called Tana Riri Samadhi and the annual classical music festival is held near this Samadhi .