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Carnatic Music Genius Saint Sri Thyagaraja celebrated in Colombo

February 16th, 2008

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

‘Every Kirtana is a beautiful temple in which the great composer has installed the God of his heart for worship by those who sing and those who hear’- Rajaji.

All musicians and music lovers gathered to pay tribute, and sing and play the Gems of Thyagaraja. Men and women of all age dreesed gorgeously, and sat cross-legged on the ground. Five Keerthanams are known as the “Panchrathna Keethnanam”. The ‘Pancha Rathna Krithis’ are sung during the Aradhana. They are Jagadananda of Natai Ragam, Dudukugala of Gowla Ragam, Sadinchanae of Arabhi Ragam, Kanakana Ruchira of Varali Ragam and Endharo Mahanu Bhavulu of Sri Ragam. The Pancharatna Kritis of Tyagaraja are in praise of his beloved deity, God Rama and are extremely skilful and beautiful musical compositions. They are all set in Adi Thalam and each ragam represents the mood of the song and the meaning of its lyrics. They are actually set in the style of a Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP) with the charanas (stanzas) substituting for the kalpana swaras (improvisatory passages) in the pallavi section of the RTP.

Saint Thyagaraja was a prolific artist and highly influential in the development of the South Indian classical music tradition

Carnatic Music Festival to celebrate the genius of Sri Thyagarajah was held at the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo on February 15th 2008 at dusk. Thyagaraja Aradhana was held for the second time in Sri Lanka.

The 161st annual Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana celebrations were held in Thiruvaiyaru on 27th of January 2008. Musicians from all over the state gathered and, sat before the Saint’s Samadhi on the banks of river Cauvery, sang “Pancharatna Kritis” and paid homage to him.

Saint Thyagaraja was born on May 4th 1767 in Thiruvarur in Thanjavur district. He was born as the third son of Ramabrahmam and Seethamma. His father’s was a story teller. His family moved to Thiruvaiyaru soon after Saint Thyagaraja was born. Saint Thyagaraja got married to Parvaty in 1784, when he was 18 year-old. His wife Parvathy died in 1789, when he was 23 year-old. He married her sister Kamala in 1790, and got a daughter. Saint Thyagaraja named his daughter Seethalakshmi. It is believed that on January 6th 1847 would be the day when he was excepted to become Mukthi. He attained Samadhi on Pushya Bagula Panchami in Thiruvaiyaru.

Saint Thygaraja was an eminent composer in classical music, poet and a philosopher. He was an extraordinary personality born to teach humanity through music and Rama Bhakthi. He saw Rama as a chief, as a saviour of mankind and a s a Lord of whole universe. Saint Thyagaraja praised him, cajoled him, taunted him, served him and cried for him,

He studied Sanskrit and astrology. He was very well versed in his mother tongue Telugu. Saint Thyagaraja has composed several Kritis. He made use of 200 ragas to compose different Kritis.

The Divyanama Sankeerthanas and Utsava Samprathaya Kritis composed by him are melodies. He composed 1,800 Kritis.He has created two operas namely “Prahlada Bhakthi Vijayam”, ” Nowka Chittram” and “SitaRama Vijayam”. He He wrote most of the Kritis in Telugu, and the rest in Sanskrit.

Saint Thyagarja’s music delights and inspires everyone. The Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana is a solemn tribute of all Carnatic artistes to one of the greatest composers ever. It’s a unique festival.

Saint Thyagaraja is considered as the “Music Trinity” of Carnatica music.His compositions are greatly popular due to their simple language, sincere lyrics and very high quality music. He has composed hundreds of devotional songs in praise of the Hindu God Rama

Kids singing “Pancha Rathna Kritis”

Nesan Thiyagarajah is perfoming at the festival

All musicians under one roof to perform at the festival

Section of audience

A percussion instrument called Morsing is played at the festival. It’s also known as “Mourching” or” Morching”.This instrument is mainly used in the Carnatic musc. The Morsing is an Indian version of the Jew’s harp. It’s also used in folk music.

Little daughters enjoyed the festival while their mothers were singing

Kalasoori Arunthathy Sriranganathan is performing along with her students and fellow musicians

It’s an annual festival by the musicians for the music genius Saint Thyagaraja

Veena performers at the festival

Most of the spectators joined in singing the Gems of Thyagaraja

It’s a festival of enchantment for all music lovers

Veena, Violin, Miruthangam and Morsing players performed with the vocal musicians

The spirit of festivity is shared by all

It’s a rare event to witness and be a part of it, where many musicians gather and perfom together

Related: In 2007: Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana ~ Prince of Renunciation

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Tamil Translation of this article:
கர்நாடக சங்கீத மாமேதை ஸ்ரீ தியாகராஜருக்கு கொழும்பில் இசைவிழா

Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com

Entry Filed under: Arts, Events, Heritage