RAJANNA-SIRCILLA: Considered the greatest proponent of Carnatic music, saint-composer Tyagaraja Swamy is known for thousands of devotional compositions, especially in Telugu. For the last five days, the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada was the conduit of spiritual reverie during the five-day Sri Tyagaraja Swamy Thyagaraja Utsavalu, which concluded on Saturday.
Part of the ‘Trinity of Carnatic Music’, Tyagaraja Swamy (born: Kakarla Tyagabrahmam in modern-day Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu) was born in a Brahmin family. Considered a prodigy in his childhood, he is believed learnt the veena from his maternal grandfather. He took to the ascetic way in the latter part of his life.
The late Sambaiah Shastri, influenced by his experience at the Tyagaraja Swamy Thyagaraja Utsavalu in Tiruvaiyur in 1951, has been instrumental in organising the programme in Vemulawada ever since. Drawing inspiration from Sambaiah Shastri, the temple authorities have consistently hosted the festival since 1961.
Dancers, musicians and actors arrived in huge numbers from across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and mesmerised the audience with captivating performances encompassing traditional music, dramatic enactments, Harikatha, Kuchupidi, Bharatanatyam dances and soul-stirring flute performances, along with a spellbinding portrayal of the story of Prahalada.
The entire programme was also streamed live on YouTube so that people from across the world take part in the celebration of the great saint-composer.
Speaking to TNIE, temple executive officer D Krishna Prasad said, “It’s a great opportunity for budding artists to observe and showcase their talent; it serves as an excellent platform for them.”
Sushan Samadhani from the Netherlands, a representative of the Isha Foundation, commended the temple authorities for organising such programs consistently over the past few years and providing a platform for artists.