Vageesh Express

September 2006 Edition

Vedic Guru

Saint Thyagaraja

Entharo Mahanu Bavulu Anthariki Vandhanamulu |

Meaning – Humble reverences to the numerous great ones. This is how one of Saint Thyagaraja’s immortal Pancharatna Kritis begin, easily bringing out the essence of his life for all to emulate – humility, devotion and soulful, uplifting music can open the royal path of liberation effortlessly for the seeker. He is regarded as one of the "trinity" of Carnatic music composers, along with Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar and Sri Shyama Sastri.

Life of Saint Thyagaraja

Saint Thyagarajar was born in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu and was named after the presiding deity of that temple town. Thyagarajar was born to Ramabrahmam, a distinguished exponent of the Ramayana and Seethamma, the daughter of the Veena exponent Kalahastayya.

Thyagaraja was brought up in Thiruvaiyaru. As a child, Thyagaraja mastered Sanskrit and Telugu and also the Valmiki Ramayan. His mother initiated him into music through the Purandaradasa krithis. At the age of 16, he was put under the tutelage of Sonti Venkataramanayya, from whom Thyagaraja absorbed everything within a year. From the tender age of 17, he started composing small krithis and studied the various treatises on music. When he was 21, he got spiritual initiation into "Rama Shadakshari" mantra from a Saint Ramakrishnananda.

Thyagaraja soon rose in fame as a musician. But his desire to sing was kindled only by his devotion towards Lord Rama.

It is said that once he visited Tirupati temple and found it closed. Yearning to see the Lord, he sang "Teratiyagaraadaa" and the temple door opened by itself revealing the deity within. It was then that he sang "Venkatesha Ninu Sevimpa" in his joy at seeing the Lord.

Saint Thyagaraja has composed several Kritis. He has employed over 200 raagas. The Pancharatna Kritis are the most representative of Saint Thyagaraja's art as a composer. The Divyanama and Utsava Samprathaya Kritis composed by him are melodies. He upheld Nadopasana – devotion through music.

Saint Thyagaraja attained immortality in the year 1847. His mortal remains were interred at Thiruvaiyaru and a brindavan was instated.

Thyagaraja Aradhana

Every year, the music fraternity pays its homage to saint Tyagaraja on Pushya Bagula Panchami day through the Thyagaraja Aradhana festival, which is conducted at Thiruvaiyaru, under the aegis of the Thyaga Brahma Mahotsava Sabha. The mandatory Pancharatna kritis are sung, followed by the rendition of the kriti "Chetulara" in Bhairavi raaga on the flute.

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