An evening in the
life of Thyagaraja
The
greatness of Saint Thyagaraja was spreading far and wide in the Cauvery delta
and the Tanjore court. A few musicians from the court decided to come to visit
him. One of those was a visiting bard from Kerala. His name was Shadkala
Govinda Marar. He was a unique singer and could render Jayadeva’s ashtapadhi in
six geometric speeds.
Thyagaraja
welcomed them all into his dwelling and showed him his Pooja room and explained
to them his devotion to Lord Rama.
He then
requested each musician to introduce themselves and sing a small song. So each
musician from the court sang a song in their area of expertise be it pallavi or
other forms of unique singing patronized by the Tanjore court.
While introducing
themselves, they all introduced themselves by their honorific and wealth bestowed
by the court and their singing was more technical in its focus.
Thyagaraja
was bemused by the musicians and their ostentatious display of wealth, title
and knowledge.
After
all the guests were introduced, it was time for the evening Arati. Thyaaraja
then introduced himself by his guru lineage and then started singing the song, “Endharo Mahanu
Bhavulu” in the Sri Ragam. He composed it on the fly in front of his
guests.
Although
the song in its first stanza welcomed the honored guests, it then went on to
describe the kind of guests that Thyagaraja desired. His true guests were the true
devotees of Lord Rama. All the court musicians were stunned by this display of
creativity and the subtle reminder to them that the craft of music was gifted
by Shiva and Vishnu to Narada and Tumburu as a gift to humanity.
The
guests left eventually and Shadkala Govinda Marar came and took special leave
and told him that he was leaving for Pandaripur to the shrine of Panduranga.
Thyagaraja was moved and wished him well on his journey.
Sadhguru Thyagaraja Swamiki, Jai!!
No comments:
Post a Comment