Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Saint Tyagaraja was born in the year 1767 to Sri
Rama Brahmam and his chaste wife Sitamma, a pious couple from the Telugu
Brahmin family. He was named as Thyagabramam/Thyagaraja after the
presiding deity Lord Thyagaraja of Thiruvarur. In the early years
of his childhood his family continued to live in Thiruvrur Thirumanjana
Veedhi. Thyagaraja’s Brahmopadhesham/sacred thread ceremony was
performed at the age of 8 years and immediately after Brahmopadesham, he was
sent to learn Upanishads, Vedam and Vedanta. The family settled in
Thiruvaiyaru when Tyagaraja was thirteen. At this tender age
Thyagaraja composed his own Sanskrit krithi. During the Ramanavami
celebration in Thiruvaiyar, one of the prominent musicians of Carnatic Music
Sri Sonti Venkitaramanayya arrived to perform. After the
performance Rama Brahmam approached Sri Soni Venkitaramanayya, holding his son
of thirteen year old and requested Sonti venkataramaya to listen his son’s
attempt to compose a note. Sonti Venkataramaya did not give much
importance at the request of Rama Brahmam, the affectionate father brought his
child to perform on the stage for the first time. Rama Brahmam
revealed his deep desire to perform his son in front of legend Sonti
Venkataramanya. Thyagaraja mellifluously sang his first
composition.
‘Namo Namo Raghavaya, Namo Namo
Anisham’ - In Ragam Desika Todi
Sonti Venkataramaya was amazed at the
profound skill of small boy. Tyagaraja’s honeyed voice captured the attention
of the audience. Finally, Sri Sonti Venkataramaya had to admit his
failure to under estimate the great singer in the boy and hugged him
affectionately. The Legend of music advised Tyagaraja to
continue learning process from an eminent scholar and should precede his
journey to music. Sri Sonti Venkataramaya openly commented that it
was impossible to compose and sing such a marvelous composition like the
above and it would be possible absolutely with the blessings of Lord Rama.
Thygaraja realized the need for an
Acharya. Thyagaraja’s Nadha Upasana and Nama Upasana
made his imaginations run passionately , his creativity and flawless
music resulted in the birth of many wonderful compositions.
Thousands of compositions originated from his mind which brought him ‘eternal bliss’.
His composition were passionately praising Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord
Brahma, Lord Indra, Lord Ganesha, and Lord
Subramanya. He desired to have an Acharya to guide him and learn all the
righteousness. His thirst to attain knowledge and wisdom grew overpoweringly.
One day he met a saintly person while
circumambulating the wide path ways of the temple of Goddess Sri Dharmasamavardhini.
The Saint could visualize Thyagaraja's thirst for learning music and he could easily
seize what was in his mind, he advised Narada Mantra of Maharishi
Narada who is the teacher for devotion and music to Thyagaraja. The
Saint advised Tyagaraja to practice the mantra sincerely that would provide the
dharshan of Maharishi Narada. He continued to practice this mantra
as initiated by the saint and proved it right, Maharishi Narada appeared before
him.
‘Vara Naradha Narayana…’
Maharishi Narada in white complexion, attired in
saffron robes with flower garlands around his neck, resembling the beauty of
Lord Chandra appeared before him and provided Thyagaraja the Sacred
Scriptures ‘Swarathmakam’.
Jai
Sriman Narayana !!
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