Thyagaraja Aradhana

Kakarla Tyagabrahmam (1767 – 1847), colloquially known as Tyagaraja in Kannada, was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music. He was a prolific composer and highly influential in the development of the classical music tradition. Out of 24,000 songs said to have been composed and about 700 songs remain now. Tyagaraja himself has acknowledged the great "Purandaradasa" as his guru in his magnum opus "PrahladaCharita". On this day, thousands of people and hundreds of Carnatic musicians sing the five PancharatnaKritis in unison, with the accompaniment of a large bank of accompanists on veenas, violins, flutes, nadasvarams, mridangams and ghatams.

Tyagaraja composed thousands of devotional compositions, most in praise of Lord Rama, many of which remain popular today. Of special mention are five of his compositions called the PancharatnaKritis, which are often sung in programs in his honor. The Pancharatnas are known as the five finest gems of Carnatic music. All the Pancharatnas are set to Adi Talam. All the compositions of Tyagaraja show the way for the systematic development of the respective ragas.

Tyagaraja Aradhana is held every year on Pushya Bahula Panchami when the saint attained samadhi. The Aradhana in its present format is not even a hundred years old. Thyagaraja died in 1847. A few days before his death, he had renounced everything and had become a sanyasi. When he passed on, his mortal remains were buried on the banks of the river Kaveri and a small memorial was built at the spot. His disciples returned to their respective villages and observed his death anniversary at their own homes. The memorial was soon forgotten and it was not until around 1903 that Tyagaraja's last surviving disciples, Umayalpuram Krishna Bhagavatar and Sundara Bhagavatar returned to Tiruvayyaru, identified the place and had it renovated. From the next year, efforts were made by musical stalwarts to observe the anniversary at Tiruvayyaru itself.