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Know Your Thyagaraja - Vol - 1 - S.V.K @ S.V.Krishnamurthy

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S.V.K @ S.V.Krishnamurthy

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Carnatic Music Book on Thyagaraja.

Paperback;

206 Pages;

Language: English;

1st Edition: 1997;

3rd Edition: 2018.

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The column earlier came in The Hindu, Know Your Tyagaraja, was an effort to showcase the composers bhakti for Rama but in a way, SVK was paying obeisance to the Bard of Tiruvaiyaru. According to him, a concert without the compositions of the Trinity was a futile exercise and one without Tyagaraja was absolutely useless. He had reached a point when he stopped attending concerts of musicians, whom he felt, were not on the same wavelength. Ironically, some of them, in their formative years, had been generously complemented by him.

ABOUT THE BOOK: A comprehensive assessment of the greatness of Sri Thyagaraja.

The analytical study of the poetic lyrics of the songs pro- vides a fascinating insight into his music.

The philosophical depth and the message of the Upanishads and epics incorporated in Sri Thyagaraja's songs have been highlighted.

The exposition of some of the songs by the author, enlivens the music lore of Sri Thyagaraja.

The sentiments expressed in the prefaces, highlight the deterioration in the present day standard of Carnatic music performances.

The comments are aimed at the preservation and improvement of Carnatic music.

The write-ups present the state of Carnatic music handled by veterans of the past and its present status. The nearly one hundred songs included in this volume, gives an idea of the greatness of the comprehensive Saint composer ..

Foreword

Although Sri Thyagaraja was first and foremost a music Composer and a creator of new expressions and forms in music, the fact that he was a competent poet and a master of felicitous expression has added great charm to his compositions and made them virtually 'poems set to music.' The beauty of the language to which music is set has a great deal to do with the permanency and popularity of the music. The diction of vaggeyakara, however, differs from that of poet because the diction most suited for music has to be euphorious and composed of soft and flowing words. The songs of Sri Thyagaraja are unrivalled in this respect. SVK is not only a musicologist and music critic but also a literateur who has soaked himself in the poetical and philosophical beauties of the kritis of Sri Thyagaraja. His series in The Hindu was entitled "Know Your Thyagaraja" and was avidly read by musicians and music lovers over the years. SVK has his own way of interpreting Sri Thyagaraja in simple English, driving home his points with clarity and assurance.

Foreword

It is my pleasure and honour to write about Sri.S.V.Krishnamurthy (SVK) who is an erudite scholar, are ardent bhaktha of St.Thyagaraja and an art critic of exceptional merit and integrity. While one tends to focus on his contributions as a music critic for the much respected English daily “The Hindu”, all will readily acknowledge that his Writings bear witness to his vast Knowledge of not only Indian classical arts but also literature, and his unparalleled command over the English language. He is a man of highest integrity and could never be swayed by personal relationships or blandishments-in kind or otherwise.

His writing always have balance and never malice. Absolutely incorruptible, he is objective in pointing out areas of improvement while also lavishing praise on accomplishments. His keen analytical mind, vast musical scholarship, his intellectual, emotional and spiritual approach to Saint Thyagaraja, and a razor sharp memory could always be counted on to bring out often overlooked contours of the performance with apt comparisons to yester year music which few had heard and fewer understood.

The preambles in his writings are a storehouse of nuanced musical expositions that set forth thoughts sparked by the concert he was reviewing. It could be exultation in finding a rare gem or an anguished cry or unfulfilled expectations. They all have genuiness of feelings expressing hopes for a bright talent or bright talent or despair over what passes for classicism. His taste in arts books no compromise-disdains market/ gallery oriented theatrics and reveres impeccable execution based on solid scholarship.

All these are nothing compared to his deep love and adoration of the compositions of Saint Thyagaraja and the links they have to Valmiki Ramayanam. For SVK, the Thyagaraja kritis are as important as the slokas of Ramayana and the parallels between them are simply awe inspiring. His bhakthi margam in no small measure includes his diligent study of the Saint’s compositions and the Rama Katha he finds embedded in them. For him, it is a never ending spiritual journey.

Again, it is an honour for me to set forth my unabashed admiration for a rare gem called SVK.

Contents:

Volume 1

Foreword;

Message;

Acknowledgements;

Know Your Thiyagaraja;

Part One Know Your Thyagaraja as above:-

The Messengers of Rama;

Pinnacle of Bhakti;

Who is equal to you?;

Sabari Bhagyam;

The Great story of Sita;

Sri Ramas Valour;

The Efficacy of his Name;

Roots of Rama Bhakti;

The Jiva Mantras;

Longing for Hanumans Bliss;

Symbol of Protection;

Path to Salvation;

Beauty of Rama as an Ascetic;

The hold of Karma;

Portrait of Warrior;

Over to Tiruvaiyaru;

In the glory of Lakshmana;

On Music and Musicians;

Rama the soft-spoken;

Greatness of Bharata;

Part Two  Songs and Meanings.

Excerpts from the book:

The image of Hanuman that we see to day is one holding firmly to the holy feet of Rama. Quite surprisingly in the whole Ramayana Valmiki has not depicted Anjaneya in the posture we see him. He is depicted as handing over Rama’s signet ring to Sita and again depicted as handing over the choodamani to Rama on his return from Lanka. At no event we see Valmiki portraying Hanuman as holding Rama’s feet.

But how does this transformation in picturisation come about? Sri Thyagaraja’s genius solved this riddle in his most famous kirtana on Hanuman “GITAARTAMU” in raga Surati. In the very first word Sri Thyagaraja has revealed the truth of how Hanuman’s devotion has to be acted upon in our lives.

BOOK REVIEWS: I would like to talk from a rasikass standpoint, rather than a vidwan. SVKs Know Your Tyagaraja (4 volumes) and his recent book on Valmiki Ramayana and Tyagaraja which I had the privilege of launching, are treasures that offer deep insights into the saints kritis. His reviews offered valuable inputs for rasikas, music connoisseurs and performing artists. He was a reference point not only for the music but also for his language. I feel blessed to have known him both as a rasika and a vidwan. - BOMBAY JAYASHRI.

Review from The Hindu: Saint Tyagaraja had led the life of a grihastha before taking up sanyasa in his last days. He was fully aware of the travails of a common householder and the paths that would lead them to bliss. His compositions provide enough material in this regard.

His kritis offer his thoughts and advice to the laymen and suggestions on how to lead a righteous life. Many a kriti of the bard offers guidance to those who face a dilemma, caught between theist and atheist thoughts.

The author of these volumes under review, S. V. Krishnamurthy, is a steadfast devotee of Tyagaraja and one can equate the writer's devotion to that of Tyagaraja's towards Lord Rama. Being well versed in the nuances of Carnatic music and in the Telugu language, the author is able to bring out in a crisp and clear manner, the meanings of the compositions which are in Telugu and Sanskrit. Rendering of these songs after having assimilated their meanings will certainly add lustre and finesse to the presentation by vocalists and instrumentalists.

The first volume introduces the composer as a messenger of Rama and proceeds to dealing with The Baagyam of Sabari, The story of Sita, Sri Ramas valour and the greatness of Lakshmana and Bharata among other chapters on similar subjects. The second part of the initial volume has word to word meanings of the five Ghana raga kritis, popularly known as the Pancharatnas, while 74 other compositions have been given meanings in an easy-to-grasp style.

For some of the kritis such as Dharini Telusukonti (Suddha Saveri ) and others, the author has chosen only the charanams, which are popular in the concert arena.

The second volume deals with, among other topics, the secret of Tyagarajas avatar as well. That Tyagaraja considered himself a messenger of Rama to enunciate profound truths, is well elucidated in this chapter. The meanings of 58 compositions find a place in the second part of this volume.

The third volume has an interesting chapter in which the author has painstakingly selected compositions of the saint such as Padavini (Salakabhairavi), Tulasidala (Mayamalavagowla) and Madilona (Kolahalam) to substantiate incidents from the Valmiki Ramayana. Crisp and lucid explanations to the slokas are worth reading. Meanings of 98 kritis constitute the second part of this volume.

The final volume (fourth) has many interesting chapters which reflect the author's views on many aspects of the current day Carnatic music scenario.

He also subtly touches upon how earlier stalwarts never diluted their classical approach, yet were capable of drawing huge turnouts for their performances.

The suggestions offered need to be given a serious thought by organisers. That organisations in a particular locality may collectively celebrate the aradhana of Tyagaraja is welcome and hopefully the major and minor sabhas will take cognisance of this suggestion. Yet another 98 songs with their lyrics and meanings are featured in this volume. These four volumes will be worthy additions in the libraries of institutions imparting training in Carnatic music. - PVK, The Hindu.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: S.V.K @ S.V.Krishnamurthy, served The Hindu for nearly forty - five years and retired as Assistant Editor. He is the well known The Hindu's Senior music critic who wrote under the nom de plume SVK. His reviews during music festival was noted and had fan followers. He is a good musician himself, though he has not taken it as a profession. Belonging to a family deeply involved in Carnatic music, he has great desire for music. Also, he has studied the Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and other spiritual literature, which finds frequent reference in assessing the greatness of the Sahityas of Sri Thyagaraja. He has to his credit several short stories in Tamil pubblished in Ananda Vikatan, Kalki and Dinamani Kadir. Being the son of S.V.V., the great humorist, he has also contributed many humorous skits to The Hindu some of which have come out in a book titled 'Laugh with S.V.K.

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