CHENNAI: Music is the common realm in which the Lord and devotees meet and mingle. According to Saint Thyagaraja (May 4, 1767- January 6, 1847) those who fail to swim in the sea of musical wisdom lead useless lives and waste their births. We are aware, that satguru Thyagaraja’s story is marked by ‘human emotions’. This was vividly brought out when TV Varadarajan, noted actor, played the saint’s role during the silver jublee programme on Sri Thyagaraja at Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha.
The actor internalised the role of Thyagaraja as a singer, composer and saintly human being and conveyed his bhakthi for Lord Rama through a restrained portrayal. The musical drama was a tribute to Thyaga Brahamam (another name of the saint) presenting anecdotes from the composer’s life. Thyagaraja’s life was devoted to Lord Rama though now and then, he passed through moments swaying between hopes and doubts particularly when his pooja idol was stolen.
The presentation turned out to be a unique with dialogue and narration scripted by VSV, the noted writer and journalist under the music direction of Bombay Jayashri. The musical play begins with Rama Nama followed by Jagadanandakaraka and ends with Entharo Mahanubavalu — all of which highlighted the composer’s approach to music through his life story. The choice of Thyagaraja to live on alms (unchavritti) rather than to monetise his knowledge, creates tension between him and his elder brother. The play highlights the highs and lows in the life of the composer leading to musical delights.
That his mind was so completely attuned to god, that it refused to respond to the attractions of world pomp and power, was brought out through his kriti ‘Nidhi sala sukhama’ reflecting his bhakti. The audience can perceive that Varadarajan’s acting, which is a sublime leads one to divine exaltations. The play offers an experience of transcendence coupled with the power of Varadarajan’s role paving the way to spiritual ecstasy.