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Saint Tyagaraja (17??-1848), a devout devotee of Sree RamaChandra, is one of the principal composers of Carnatic music tradition. He is also regarded as the most important of the composers' trinity. Born in a Telugu Brahmin family, Tyagaraja lived in Thiruvaiyaru, near Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
Tyagaraja started his musical training at Sri Sonti Venkataramanayya at an early age. Tyagaraja regarded music as a way to experience Love of God. His objective while performing music was to repeat the Name of God, contemplate on God's pastimes, there-by reducing the vices of his mind but not to display his mastery over Raga and Tala. He had to struggle a lot to compose music in which Bhava was crowned. But then Tyagaraja was supposed to have been blessed by the divine sage Narada with great music knowledge. With these blessings, Tyagaraja didn't have to work labouriously for composing. He is said to have sung Sadhinchane, the third of Pancharatna Krithis on this occasion.
Venkataramanayya wanted to listen to Tyagaraja's new talent and so invited him to perform at his house in Thanjavur. Tyagaraja then sings Endaro Mahaanubhavulu, the fifth of the Pancharatna Krithis.
Venkataramanayya, intensely pleased with Tyagaraja's song, tells his king about the genius in Tyagaraja. The King sends an invitation to his court along with lot of wealth as gifts. Tyagaraja clears his dilemma by the famous Nidhi Chala Sukhama and rejects the offer.
Unable to bear with Tyagaraja's rejection of royal offer, his brother plans a revenge by throwing the idols of Rama Pattabhisheka in the adjacent River Cauveri. Tyagaraja, unable to bear the separation with Lord, makes a pilgrimage to all major temples in South India and composes many more songs in the praise of those temple deities.
Tyagaraja finally finds the idols with the help of Lord Himself.
Tyagaraja attained Moksha on a Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Having composed innumerable number of keerthanas (songs) that explore all the possibilities within the rules of the Carnatic music tradition, Tyagaraja is truly regarded as the corner stone of Carnatic music. (But Tyagaraja always regarded Bhava was not to be compromised for Raga and Tala.)
To this day, a commemorative music festival called Tyagaraja Aaradhana is held at Thiruvaiyaru in the months of January to February every year.
Usually, doyens of Carnatic music preside and perform in the festival.
See also