"Endaro Mahanubhaavulu... Andariki vandanamulu" Sounds like the beginning of too many people's Telugu speech doesn't it? The phrase that turned into a signature salutation for any Telugu gathering was infact a part of lyrics of a very popular classical kriti. Written by whom, you ask? Read the title, genius!
Kakarla Tyagaraja was considered one of the pioneers in the ocean that is Carnatic Music. Introducing the musical world to many new marvels, his Kritis are celebrated to the day and are revered for their ingenuity.
Tyagaraja who dedicated his life to music made unparalleled contributions to the world of music that cannot be justified with words. But we try! Have a look!
1. Tyagaraja with his loyalty to Telugu despite living in Thiruvayur of Tamil Nadu, is the largest composer of Telugu Carnatic music.
Source: Nanda Tarangini
2. He composed his first song Namo Namo Raghavayya when he was just 13 years of age. Listen to it here. And marvel on the fact that a 13 year old can come up with such a masterpiece.
Source: Keerthana Music Company
3. Nearly 700 of his compositions are actively taught and practiced till date. He is said to have made as many as 24,000 compositions.
Source: Carnatic Classical Music
4. He composed and sang songs in as many as 212 ragas, and also is said to have invented 66 new ragas in his time.
Fun Fact: Purandaradas, who is known as the father of Carnatic Music only composed in 25 ragas.
Source: The Hindu
5. Learning time! Sangati is a musical concept in which a set of variations on a theme unfold into a musical phrase. It's still a widely used concept and many musicians strive to attain perfection in it. Guess who invented that?!
Source: Carnatic Voices
6. As a tribute to this musical Saint, Tyagaraja Aaradhana Festival is celebrated every year at Thiruvayur, where hundreds of musicians come together in an open-to-public event and perform Tyagaraja's Pancharatna Kritis in unison. This tradition has been continuing for 168 years.
Source: The Hindu
7. And it's not an exaggeration to say his music is out of the world! No, Seriously. A crater on the planet Mercury is named after him!
Source: Nanda Tarangini
2. He composed his first song Namo Namo Raghavayya when he was just 13 years of age. Listen to it here. And marvel on the fact that a 13 year old can come up with such a masterpiece.
Source: Keerthana Music Company
3. Nearly 700 of his compositions are actively taught and practiced till date. He is said to have made as many as 24,000 compositions.
Source: Carnatic Classical Music
4. He composed and sang songs in as many as 212 ragas, and also is said to have invented 66 new ragas in his time.
Fun Fact: Purandaradas, who is known as the father of Carnatic Music only composed in 25 ragas.
Source: The Hindu
5. Learning time! Sangati is a musical concept in which a set of variations on a theme unfold into a musical phrase. It's still a widely used concept and many musicians strive to attain perfection in it. Guess who invented that?!
Source: Carnatic Voices
6. As a tribute to this musical Saint, Tyagaraja Aaradhana Festival is celebrated every year at Thiruvayur, where hundreds of musicians come together in an open-to-public event and perform Tyagaraja's Pancharatna Kritis in unison. This tradition has been continuing for 168 years.
Source: The Hindu
7. And it's not an exaggeration to say his music is out of the world! No, Seriously. A crater on the planet Mercury is named after him!
