Friday, 4 December
Sangeetha Mummurthigal
A musical drama on the three great composers
19272027
V. Neelamani Iyer centenary celebration
Three nights of theatre in Nellai
4, 5 and 6 December 2026, 6:45 pm each evening
Nellai Sangeetha Sabha, Tirunelveli Junction
Book free passes
Entry is free. Everyone is welcome.
The programme
A different play each evening. Come for one night or all three.
Saturday, 5 December
Veera
A stage play by Vignesh R
Sunday, 6 December
Advaitha Moorthi
Kaladi Nathanum Kanchi Mahangalum, by Bombay Gnanam
Every show starts at 6:45 pm. Seats are given in the order passes are booked.
Choose your nightsThe Neelamani journey
From Nagercoil to Delhi and back to the Tirunelveli district: the life this festival honours.
- 1927
Born in Vadiveeswaram
Neelamani Vaidhyanathan was born on 31 January 1927 in Vadiveeswaram, Nagercoil, then part of Travancore State. He went to school in Nagercoil and Thiruvananthapuram.
- 1940s
Loyola College, Chennai
He finished both a B.A. and a B.Sc. within three years, living on Lloyds Road with his younger brother and sister, opposite the home of M. G. Ramachandran.
- 1947
DCM, Delhi
Guided by his uncle Shri Bhoothalingam, he joined DCM in Delhi as a Pay Officer and served the company for eighteen years.
- 1954
Marriage to Smt. Girija
Girija held B.A. and B.T. degrees and had taught at a school in Coonoor, near Ooty, before their marriage.
- 1960s
Home to the south
The family came back to South India. He joined India Cements at Sankar Nagar in Tirunelveli district as Personnel Manager of the factory.
- 2011
A life completed
Neelamani passed away on 3 September 2011. His family carries his values forward through the Foundation.
- 2026
A centenary in Nellai
As his hundredth year begins, the Foundation brings three nights of theatre to Tirunelveli, free for all.
Bringing hope, creating change
The Foundation supports healthcare, education and the fine arts, especially in rural and underprivileged communities.
Medical support
Building hospitals and supplying hospital beds, medical equipment and ambulances.
Education
School and college fees, with a focus on girls' education in rural areas. Uniforms, kitchen vessels and water purifiers for schools.
Fine arts and culture
Encouraging young musicians and dancers through institutions of art and culture.
Recent work
More at neelamanifoundation.com- Helped build a hospital with the Tribal Health Centre, Sittilingi, Dharmapuri.
- Supported Bombay Gnanam Arts Academy, Chennai, in making a film on Sri Maha Periyava.
- Gave a dialysis machine through the Rotary Club of Coimbatore.
- Platinum sponsor of the Dr. Joseph Fidelis Memorial Football Tournament with Annai Velankanni Hospital, Tirunelveli.
- Paid for the schooling of children in need.
Coming to the festival
Entry is free, but every person needs a pass. It takes a minute.
- Book onlinePick your nights and how many people are coming, up to six.
- Get one pass per personEach pass has its own QR code and seat number. Save them on your phone.
- Show the QR at the entranceArrive a little before 6:45 pm so you are seated before the curtain rises.
Nellai Sangeetha Sabha
Tirunelveli Junction
4, 5 and 6 December 2026, from 6:45 pm