Sri Thyagaraja: Asset of Carnatic Music

Music and the soul

There is nothing that makes an impact on the soul better than music. It is also true that music can help one find God. Our religious traditions have a very strong bond towards music and fine arts since Vedic times. Sama Veda, one of the four Vedas is set in musical tones and is considered the basis for classical music. Our Gods such as Goddess Saraswati (veena), Lord Shiva (damaru – a type of drum), Lord Krishna (flute) etc are our very first musicians. Sage Narada is always depicted with his Veena called the ‘Mahathi’. Thus classical Indian music shares an unbreakable bond with Hinduism that spans several millenia.

Carnatic music and Thyagayya

Carnatic music and Hindustani music are two subgenres that emerged from our traditional roots. Of these, Carnatic music finds its origins in the Southern states of India (Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala). The Trinity of Carnatic music (also known as The Three Jewels of Carnatic music) refer to Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. Prolific in composition, these great musicians are known for creating a new era in the history of Carnatic music.

Among these stalwarts, Sri Thyagaraja, also known as Thyagayya, is the most venerated and is highly influential in the development of classical music. He composed thousands of devotional compositions in praise of Lord Rama, which remain popular today. Of special mention are his Pancharatna Kritis (“five gems”), which are often sung in his honour in many concerts.

Thyagaraja was born Kakarla Tyagabrahmam in 1767 in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. He began his musical training at an early age under Sonti Venkata Ramanayya, a music scholar. He regarded music as a way to experience God’s love. His compositions focus on divine expressions rather than on the technicalities of classical music. Most of his compositions are of devotional (bhakti) nature. His songs mostly feature his favorite God Lord Rama, though he has also composed krithis in praise of Krishna, Shiva, Shakti, Ganesha, Muruga, Saraswati and Hanuman.

Life and Works

Thyagaraja led a simple and systematic life of an ascetic, living on ‘unchavritti‘ i.e, collecting alms as he walked along the streets singing devotional songs. His only inheritance was a puja idol of Sri Rama from his father and he considered it his greatest wealth. His wandering and dispassionate lifestyle enraged his brother who one day threw away his Rama Vigraha into river Kaveri. In his grief Thyagaraja composed a kriti praying to Sri Rama. Lord Rama appeared to him in a dream and the next day Thyagaraja located the vigraha near the river banks and was overjoyed. At the age of 21, he started chanting Rama nama every day and towards the end of his life, he had completed chanting it 96 crores of times. As a result, Lord Rama gave darshan to him.

Though Thyagaraja saw the reigns of four kings (Tulaja II, Amarasimha, Serfoji II and Sivaji II), he served none of them. Once, Thyagaraja’s Guru informed the king of Thanjavur of his genius. The king at once sent an invitation along with several expensive gifts and money, inviting Thyagaraja to attend the royal court. Thyagaraja, however was not interested in serving the king and rejected the invitation. He composed the krithi ‘nidhi chaala sukhama‘ (“Does wealth bring happiness?”) during this occasion. Power and wealth were vain in his opinion. This goes to show that he led a simple way of life, not because of his situation, but by choice.

Legacy

Sri Thyagaraja firmly believed that music can lead to salvation only when it was combined with bhakti. His compositions are outpourings of love, prayer and appeal and his life is an epitome of nobility and simplicity. His songs inspire devotion and must be passed on to our future generations also. To commemorate his great service, Thyagaraja Aaradhana, a music festival is held every year at Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu (Jan-Feb) in his honor. In this week-long music festival, renowned musicians from all over the world converge at his resting place and sing his compositions.

Sri Thyagaraja’s life and works are classic lessons in how divine music mixed with pristine devotion can lead to the path of salvation. We will have to thank all of those who reminded us of his contributions and his life. Though he led a simplistic life, he is considered the wealthiest among us all as he possessed the invaluable gift of Rama bhakthi. In several ways, he is the giver and all of us who are inspired by his music are seekers (or should I say alms-seekers?) of divine blessings.